As 2023 comes to a close, join us in celebrating the wonderful achievements of these top dressage horses. They certainly all left their mark on the dressage world, with a number of incredible victories between them. Our thoughts are with connections of all horses that left us during 2023.
Carl Hester’s ride “Barney” won team silver at the Worlds, Europeans and Olympics. He was third in the World Cup final in 2017, and crowned national champion in 2019, finishing his career with a win at Liverpool International.
2RHD7EJ Dressage rider Heike Kemmer of Germany reacts sitting on her horse Bonaparte after competing in Dressage Individual Grand Prix of the Equestrian event on 13 August 2008 at Equestrian Venue of the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 in Hong Kong, China. |
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)
German rider Heike Kemmer partnered the Bon Bonaparte-sired chestnut gelding at two Olympic Games, two World Equestrian Games and two European Championships, with Olympic team gold and individual bronze among their medal haul.
Delgado Beatriz Ferrer-Salat during the Grand Prix at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 at Tryon International Equestrian Centre, near Tryon North Carolina in the USA between 11th-23rd September 2018
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The De Niro gelding won individual freestyle bronze for Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat at the 2015 European Championships, as well as finishing in the top 10 at Rio.
Beatriz said he was one of the most important horses in her life, not only for results, but also his “heart and bravery.”
Adelinde Cornelissen NED riding Parzival, during the grand prix of the dressage competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 10th August 2016
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
The chestnut, by Jazz, was a linchpin of the Dutch championship teams, winning four European golds, and individual silver at London 2012. They also beat Totilas’ grand prix special world record set at the 2009 Windsor Europeans.
His rider Adelinde Cornelissen said: “He was the one that would go through fire for me and I for him.”
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VICKY THOMPSON-WINFIELD - MANGO JACARO
(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)
The PRE stallion was taken up to grand prix by Vicky Thompson-Winfield, and the pair won the 2019 MCI (Iberian Horse) European Championships. He was sold as a schoolmaster to Qatari rider Wejdan al Malki, who became the first from her country to compete at international grand prix level.
The dressage stallion, by Rohdiamant x Grundstein II, was a prolific producer of top grand prix horses, such as British stars Rubins Nite, Rubin Al Asad and Rosalie B. A founding stallion at the dressage horse performance centre Lodbergen, Germany, Rubin Royal also sired successful jumpers and eventers.
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
