Spanish based Dutch Grand Prix rider Brigitte van der Hagen has lost her rising Grand Prix horse Sir Barnaby to colic on Tuesday 22 November 2016.
Sir Barnaby was a 9-year old Oldenburg gelding by Sir Donnerhall I out of Mercedes (by Rosario), bred by Andreas Fischer. Van der Hagen acquired the black gelding as a foal for the bargain price of 4,000 euro at the 2007 Oldenburg Elite Foal Auction in Vechta, Germany.
The pair made its international debut in the young horse classes in 2012. At the CDI Vejer de la Frontera they contested the 5-year old division and placed fourth and second on their first CDI outing. In 2013 Van der Hagen and Sir Barnaby competed in the 6-year old division with starts in Vejer, Biarritz, Pompadour. They made their small tour debut in 2014.
In 2015 Sir Barnaby was operated on for colic but recovered well. The pair made its medium tour debut at the 2016 CDI Segovia. Their career came to an abrupt end on 22 November.
"I got a phone call from the night's watch at 2 AM that Barney was restless. I was at the barn in 10 minutes and he was dripping wet and in much pain. My vet Gonzalo Maranon was there in 20 minutes and by that time we couldn't help the horse. He was in too much pain to be transported to the clinic and by 4 AM we had to euthanize him, unfortunately," Van der Hagen told Eurodressage. "He was an extremely talented horse for piaffe and passage, which he did with effortlessly. He wasn't easy but that's the way talented horses are. I'll miss him very much."
The 60-year old Van der Hagen, who has been living in Madrid since 1983, has also been competing 13-year old Grand Prix horse Rupert (by Rosario x Inschallah AA) and 5-year old Gentle D (by Zhivago) on the international show circuit this year.
Related Links
Scores: 2016 CDI Biarritz
Scores: 2013 CDI Vejer de la Frontera
Record Price of 127,000 € for Sabeltanz at 2007 Vechta Foal Auction