The renowned Oldenburg breeding stallion Don Primero passed away at age 27 at Markebäcks Gård in Sweden on Tuesday 8 May 2012. The dark bay stallion was euthanized following a severe colic attack.
Ridsport reported that Anna Björkman's Don Primero suffered from acute bowel obstruction and could not be saved despite treatment.
Don Primero was bred by Otto Schulte-Frohlinde of Gestut Gronwohldhof and born in 1995. He was by Donnerhall out of Fantasia (by Pik Bube I x Unkenruf). In 1987 he became a premium stallion at the Oldenburg licensing and was proclaimed elite sire in 2006. The 161 cm standing Don Primero was Donnerhall's first licensed son.
He completed his Stallion Performance Test in 1988 at Adelheidsdorf and finished 9th overall with an index of 121.65 points. He was third amongst the dressage stallions with 130.20 points and scored a jumping index of 102.90.
In 1990 Don Primero became Bundeschampion under Heiko Munzmaier and was trained to Grand Prix level and competed by Karin Rehbein and Falk Rosenbauer. In 1999 Don Primero sold to Sweden.
Don Primero has a large number of successful offspring, and there are more than 20 approved stallions worldwide. Amongst his famous get are World Young Horse Champion Keystone Dimaggio, Nurnberg Burgpokal winner Cherie, 1999 Bundeschampion Don Larino, and 2009 Swedish young horse champion Paridon Magi.
Photo © Marielle Andersson Gueye
Related Links
Don Primero Sold to Sweden
Don Primero Back in Germany
Dimaggio and Laurentianer Win 2000 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses
Don Larino Wins 1999 Bundeschampionate