Former Austrian Olympic Grand Prix dressage team horse Willibald's Don Debussy passed away at age 20 yesterday at the stable in Burgenland, where he enjoyed his retirement.
"I'm very sad to report that Don Debussy unfortunately passed away yesterday evening. Probably the sudden change in weather caused a total collapse of the blood circulation. Even though the vet medically supported him the entire day, he could no longer get up," Willibald told Reitsportnews.
Don Debussy was born in 1993 and sired by Donnerhall out of a Royalist dam. The gelding was Westfalian branded and bred by the Vienna based Dr. Robert Csokay.
The grey gelding was competed by both Ewald and Isabella Willibald, but it was well known Austrian Grand Prix rider Peter Gmoser who rode the gelding at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Gmoser took over the reins on Don Debussy in 2003 and competed him internationally for two years. In 2005 Ewald rode the gelding and finished 9th in the Kur to Music at the Austrian Championships. He competed him up until 2006. in 2007 Austrian Caroline Kottas Heldenberg did a few shows with him at Grand Prix level.
"In his life Buschi was a commited, always happy, always motivated sport partner and a true friend," Isabella stated. "This big grey lives on in our hearts."
Photo © Dirk Caremans
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