![Jonas Elvebakk and Citta at the 2021 European Dressage Championships :: Photo © Astrid Appels](/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/database-story-thumb/2021-12/21_edc_elvebakk_citta_4221.jpg?itok=iLSr_2vZ)
Norwegian Grand Prix rider Jonas Elvabekk has lost his number one horse, Citta, after a long battle against colic.
Citta was a 14-year old Dutch warmblood mare by Jazz out of Hitta (by Candyboy). She is bred by W. Abbring in The Netherlands.
Five Year CDI Career
Owned by Jonas in partnership with Lars Lindoe and the Grønvold-Johannessen family, Citta made her international show debut under Elvebakk at small tour level in October 2016. Their Grand Prix debut followed in 2019.
This year they qualified as individuals for the 2021 European Dressage Championships in Hagen, where they scored 67.531% in the Grand Prix. They also competed in the CDI tour in Hagen that weekend and posted 64.783% in the Grand Prix and 71.270% in the freestyle.
Colic
On Sunday 31 October 2021 Citta suffered from a severe bout of colic and had to be immediately operated on in the equine clinic.
Although the mare was on the road to recovery, she had a new colic attack, she suffered a new severe colic on 10 December 2021 and it was decided to put her to sleep.
"Horse heaven got a new big star and I got a void in my heart," Elvebakk took to Facebook. "We had to make the difficult decision to let Citta go and not have more pain. She developed a new and severe acute colic. I had hoped we would have had more great experiences together in sport and a more dignified end. You really left your mark and were a unique soul who is deeply missed."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Link
Jonas Elvebakk's European Championship Ride Citta Undergoes Colic Surgery