Gwen Blake's Donida Farm Sold to DiPietro Thoroughbreds

Dressage

U.S.A.

Donida Farm in Auburn, Washington, home of American dressage riders Gwen and David Blake, has been sold to Joseph and Wendy DiPietro.

Joseph DiPietro is the owner of DiPietro Thoroughbreds, and Wendy DiPietro the owner of We Plan It and Stem Floral Design.

Donida Farm

Originally a dairy farm owned by Mrs. Fonte, the property was purchased in 1978 by Don & Ida Morrin who built Donida Farm for their dressage riding daughter Gwen.

The equestrian center spans 50 acres and is one of the premier equestrian facilities in Washington State. Gwen and her husband Dave Blake have collectively run, maintained, and cared for the facility for nearly 40 years.

Gwen Blake

The 62-year old Gwen is former U.S. team rider, having won team silver and placing fourth individually at the 1991 Pan American Games in Cuba aboard Juvel, Swedish Warmblood stallion by Flamingo x Utrillo sourced in Europe. She competed him in Florida at Grand Prix level in 1992.

Another prominent horse she rode in 1999 was Ainsley's Goodfellow (KWPN, by Vindicator x Orthos), bought in Europe from Mieke de Kok-van Gent. Jennifer Williams took over the ride in 2000 and competed him at the 2000 North American Young Riders Championships in Parker, CO.

She showed the American Trakehner Joewell (by Empire x Cornelius) from 1999 till 2005. With him rode the CDI's in Florida followed by the 2004 U.S. Olympic team selection trials, scoring between 60.8% 63.7% From 2001 till 2007 she showed the KWPN bred Nimbus (by Cabochon x Zaire) up top small tour level

Blake also owned and produced Sancette (by Sandro Hit x Contender), who was competed by Steffen Peters and sold to Australian Mary Hanna as her 2012 Olympic hopeful. Gwen returned to the international dressage ring in 2016 aboard her home bred small tour horse Beyonce (by Contango x Gribaldi) competing her in San Juan Capistrano, Sacremento and Vancouver between March and June of 2016. She is now a brood mare in her breeding programme. Gwen's final show horse (so far) was the Hanoverian Standing Ovation (by Scuderi a x Furst Nymphenburg), which she competed last in July 2022 at a home show at third level.

Gwen's daughter Rebecca Blake (now Rebecca Ossello) won the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals in 2009. She has been showing nationally up to small tour level. In 2017 on her mom's Beyonce and in 2019 on home bred KWPN-NA stallion Go Tango (by Contango x Gribaldi). She is now riding Diamonds Are Forever (by Diamond Hit x Millennium) at third level.

A New Future

The acquisition by the DiPietro couple represents an exciting new chapter for the renowned farm. The coupme's vision for Donida Farm is to maintain its legacy as a premier dressage facility. They plan to create an event destination, (Bello Acres) while also enhancing its offerings for the thoroughbred industry.

Under the stewardship of the DiPietro couple, Donida Farm is poised to usher in a new era for equestrian enthusiasts, promising a future brimming with exceptional dressage events.

Gwen will continue as a dressage rider and trainer next door to Donida. She has also picked up a keen interest in dog training and is on a parallel journey in American Kennel Club dog sports.

"Selling Donida farm is bittersweet, but we are very excited about the DiPietros taking over," she stated. "we are very happy to pass the torch to these wonderful people. They have lots of enthusiasm and energy and will continue the equestrian legacy my family started in 1978. Dave and I aren’t going anywhere as we still are neighbouring Donida with 80 acres. Yep we did downsize. Dave and I will assist where we can with the shows."