Victory Salute Passed Away

Mon, 12/12/2011 - 14:19
Australian Dressage News

Carolyn Lieutenant and Brett Parbery's Grand Prix horse Victory Salute has lost its battle against toxic laminitis. The 15-year old Australian Hanoverian was humanely put down yesterday after a short but hard fight against the disease.

"Sam has been laid to rest at our property in Penrose after his recent battle with laminitis," Brett Parbery wrote. "Our advice leads us to believe that the laminitis was caused by Cushings Disease, which was not detected during early testing and had progressed to a toxic point, therefore causing a severe bout of toxic laminitis."

The 1.83 m tall Victory Salute was bred and owned by Carolyn Lieutenant and was by Salute out of Esprit (by Victorieux).

Under Parbery "Sam" reached the the highest level ever attained by an Australian combination in the international dressage arena. At the 2010 World Equestrian Games the pair finished 7th in the Grand Prix Kur to music, the best ever result by an Australian dressage combination.

Victory Salute and Brett Parbery are the record holders for the highest score in a Grand Prix in Australia. In 2010 they were Australian Dressage Champions, 9th at the World Cup Final in 's Hertogenbosch, and 10th in the CDIO Aachen Grand Prix and Kur.

A saddened Parbery wrote that, "as with every facet of Sam's life, he was a champion to the very end. He fought a brave and noble fight and showed incredible courage during all treatment. His loss leaves a giant hole in our hearts as he was not only a great dressage horse, but the most loved character of our stable. He will always be my number 1."

Photo © Astrid Appels

Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Victory Salute
Victory Salute Continues Battle Against Toxic Laminitis
Horse Magazine Falsely Reports on Victory Salute's Death