![Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil at the 2018 World Equestrian Games :: Photo © Astrid Appels](/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/database-story-thumb/2024-08/18_weg_oatley_dusoleil_8112.jpg?itok=zXvsjqqy)
Kristy Oatley's most successful dressage horse in her career, Du Soleil, has passed away. He was 20 years old.
Du Soleil was a Hanoverian gelding by De Niro out of Capri Sonne (by Caprimond x Wenzel I x Eisenherz I). He is bred by Sven Kahrens.
Keller - Rothenberger
The horse first came into the spotlight when he was owned by Flora Keller and represented Germany at the 2010 World Young Dressage Horse Championships in Verden, Germany under Austrian Saskia Lieben-Seutter. He finished 11th in the 6-year old Finals with 7.82 points. One month later the pair finished 13th in the 6-year old finals at the 2010 Bundeschampionate with a score of 7.40.
Right after the Bundeschampionate Du Soleil sold to Sven Rothenberger but the horse was returned to Keller several months later. Lieben-Seutter continued to train him and the duo returned to the arena two years later in 2012 at M and S-level. In 2013 they finished 7th in the Prix St Georges at the CDI Hagen and did two more national shows at small tour level in Walldorf and Elmlohe.
Kristy Oatley
In February 2014 Du Soleil sold to Kristy Oatley as a Rio Olympic hopeful. Kristy trained with Sjef Janssen at the time.
In 2017 they rode the World Cup Finals in Omaha and landed a 6th place with 76.995% in the Kur to Music Finals. In 2018 the pair successfully competed at numerous internationals, incmuding winning in Zakrzow and Hamburg, before heading to the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, where they were 12th in the Grand Prix Special with 74.605% (the Kur was cancelled due to weather conditions). For a time the pair held all three Australian Grand Prix records.
In 2019 "Duse" was lightly competed in Pilisjaszfalu and Stuttgart and then had a year off from showing as Kristy was operated on her back. He returned to the ring at the CDI Verden in May 2021, winning the freestyle and did one more show in Zakrzow.
Retirement
In 2022 Oatley and Du Soleil easily captured their Australian team qualification scores for the World Championships Dressage in Herning with 72.526% in Neumunster and winning Wiesbaden with 71.848%.
(Photo © Jon Stroud)
The horse spent its retirement with Kristy at her barn in Lutjensee near Hamburg. She told Eurodressage two weeks ago that "Duse" unfortunately passed away. The cause was not disclosed.
"He’s just simply a wonderful horse that has never let me down! A true partner, we just clicked from the first time I rode him," Kristy said about Duse in 2022.
Photos © Astrid Appels - Jon Stroud
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Du Soleil
Kristy Oatley Retires Du Soleil from Sport After Double Win at 2022 CDI Wiesbaden
Kristy Oatley Rides Australian Record at 2018 World Equestrian Games
Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil On the Road to Omaha
Kristy Oatley Quits Training in Holland, Reinhard Nielsen Now Eyes on the Ground
Kristy Oatley Leads Australian Campaign on the Road to Rio
Photo Report: Kristy Oatley Bags World Cup Victory at 2016 CDI-W Zakrzow
Du Soleil Sold to Kristy Oatley as Rio Hopeful
Du Soleil Sold to Sven Rothenberger
Flamm and Lord Fantastic Highest Scoring Pair at 2010 Bundeschampionate Qualifier So Far
Scores: 2010 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses
Scores: 2010 Bundeschampionate
Kristy Oatley Retires Du Soleil from Sport After Double Win at 2022 CDI Wiesbaden