Svalegård's Hot Driver Passed Away

Dressage

Denmark

Svalegårds Hot Driver, the 7-year old. Danish warmblood licensed stallion competed by Olympian Carina Cassoe Kruth, has passed away.

Ridehesten first reported the news.

Licensed Stallion

The bay was by Hesselhøj Donkey Boy out of Svalegards Hottie (by Hotline x De Noir) and bred by Else Marie and Jens Chr. Krabbe.

Presented by Ib Kirk of Katrinelund stallion station, he was licensed at the 2022 Danish warmblood stallion licensing but did not get the premium label. He became the winner of the 2022 DWB autumn stallion performance testing and was then named champion at the 2023 DWB licensing in the older stallion group.

Carina Cassoe Kruth

With Soren Wins at the 2024 Danish Nationals

In February 2023 Carina Cassoe Kruth received the stallion in temporary training to present him in Herning after which he would return to stud duty at Katrinelund. Kruth retained the ride and won the 2024 Danish Young Horse Championships in the 4-year old division.

In April 2024 Ingrid and Poul Thøgersen, who own Kruth's Heiline's Danciera, bought a half share from the breeders and secured the ride with Carina.

In 2025 Soren Wind took over the ride with Cassoe Kruth was suspended and he rode him to the Danish Young Horse Champion's title in the 5-year old division. In 2026 Carina was back on board and she placed second with him at the Nationals while she also rode him to a 9th place at the 2025 World Young Horse Championships in Verden.

Untimely Passing

The stallion has passed away at age 7 following a tragic stable accident.

With Carina schooling at the 2025 WCYH in Verden

"Despite the best possible treatment, it was unfortunately clear that there was nothing more to be done," the owners communicated with Ridehesten . "We therefore had to make the difficult decision to give Hot Driver peace. Hot Driver was a very special horse with extraordinary potential, and we owe Carina a big thank you for the great work she has put into his development. That is why it hurts even more to see her lose the horse that should have been her future star. It is a terrible loss for all of us and a harsh reminder of how fragile life can be. Nothing is given, and from one day to the next everything can change."