Retired Cadre Noir dressage rider, trainer and head stable manager Jean-Marie Donard has passed away on Thursday morning 17 August 2017 from a heart attack. He was 69 years old.
Initially trained by Colonel Leboeuf, Donard was a former rider of the Cadre Noir team for 25 years.
From 1980 till 1990 he was also head stable manager in Saumur. Donard was in charge of training the "sauteurs", the dressage horses that made the jumps above ground. Donard also competed internationally in eventing and dressage and represented France on the team.
He retired in 1995 and in 2013 he authored the book "Le Guide de Dressage" which featured a preface by Margit Otto Crepin.
Donard leaves behind his wife Florence, who was one of the first females to ride at the Cadre Noir, and his 24-year old twins Florent et Jean Baptiste.
The funeral was on Wednesday 23 August 2017 at the church of Trélissac, north of Périgueux, France.
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