Donnerschlag Passed Away

Fri, 02/16/2018 - 17:31
Oldenburg
Donnerschlag in hand in Germany as a youngster

The Oldenburg licensed breeding stallion Donnerschlag has passed away at his home in Santa Rosa, California, on 14 February 2018. The stallion was about to become 31 years of age in spring.

Bred by Günter Pape in 1987, Donnerschlag was by Donnerhall out of Pirola (by Pik König x Frustra II x Domspatz). Dam Pirola also produced the licensed stallion Ragazzo, while legendary grand dam Franka produced the exceptional stallions Pik Bube I and II.

Donnerschlag was licensed at the 1989 Oldenburg Stallion Licensing. Owned by Gestut St. Ludwig, he became a foundation sire at the stud in Wegberg, Germany.  

The dark bay stallion did his 100-day Stallion Performance Testing in Medingen in 1990, scoring 133.75 points to finish fourth. He got an index of 134.22 points for dressage and 115.26 points in show jumping. 

Under Heiko Munzmaier, Donnerschlag made his show debut as a 6-year old in Duisburg-Hamborn at L-level. He finished 16th in the Finals of the 1993 Bundeschampionate, then held in Mannheim, after winning the first round. In 1995 the horse moved up to small tour level and in 1997 he did his first national Grand Prix. Donnerschlag competed in his last show in June 1999 at S-level back in Duisburg-Hamborn and finished third.

Amanda Harlan on Donnerschlag in 2004
Donnerschlag sired 17 licensed sons (incl. Dream of Heidelberg I and II, Donnerwind and Don Vito) and 50 State Premium Mares. His most famous offspring in sport is Gareth Hughes' British WEG team horse Stenkjers Nadonna, French Grand Prix horse Hostens de Bel (Sylvie Correllou), German GP horse Don Androsso (Katharine Birkenholz), Dutch junior rider's horse Donna Gracia (Suzanne van de Ven). Also the 2000 Oldenburg Elite Mare Champion Donna Doria was by Donnerschlag.

In 2000 Donnerschlag sold as a 13-year old to Sue Curry Schaefer. The stallion severd a small tour schoolmaster and competed in the U.S. at local events. He did two classes in 2005 (under Jessica Miller), three classes in 2008 (Caitlin Casey) and one class in 2010 (Riana Porter).

Donnerschlag spent his retirement at Curry Schaefer's Fairwind Farm in Santa Rosa, California. 

Related Links
Rumours Untrue About St Ludwig Closing Down
Donna Doria - 2000 Oldenburg Mare Champion at Radstede
Dream of Heidelberg I Passed Away
Jody Hartstone's Donnerwind Passed Away
Katharina Birkenholz' Don Androsso Euthanized
Gareth Hughes' DV Stenkjers Nadonna Retired from Competition
Scores: 1998 CDI-W Lipica