Friday September 15, 2006

German Reserve Bundeschampion Donavan To Join Dr. Cesar Parra in the United States

Donavan, the brand new Reserve champion of the 2006 Bundeschampionate in Warendorf, will join his owner Dr. Cesar Parra in the United States end of September for the further development of the stallion's career as an international dressage horse.

The 5-year old Oldenburg licensed breeding stallion Donavan (by Diamond Hit x Consul) was the star horse in the 5-year old division at the Bundeschampionate (German Federal Young Horse Championships) last weekend, beating San Remo, the bronze medallist of the 2006 World Young Horse Championships in the final round and Sir Donnerhall, the bronze medallist of the World Championships, in the two preliminary rounds.

In the final round of the Bundeschampionate, Grand Prix rider Carola Koppelmann steered Donavan with much professionalism to a reserve champion's title. The dark bay stallion was praised for his outstanding basic gaits (8.70 for trot, 9.00 for canter and 9.30 for a fantastic walk) and outstanding level of classical training. Donavan was the most consistent performer of all 5-year olds with a third place in the two preliminary rounds and a second place in the finals. The judges praised Carola for her light and steady contact with Donavan's bit.

Donavan is bred by Dr. Ursula Mittermayer, who steered Donavan to the title of 2005 German Riding Horse Champion when he was four. At the 2005 CDIO Aachen, Dr. Cesar Parra was approached by Mittermayer who offered the horse to him. A quick look and try-out were enough for Parra to spot world class qualities in Donavan. The then 4-year old bay stallion was acquired by the New Jersey based Parra, but stayed in Germany for further training. Donavan presented his first crop of outstanding foals alongside qualifying for the 2006 Bundeschampionate and winning the reserve champion's title under Koppelmann this year.

Donavan will now travel to the United States, where he will be trained and campaigned by Dr. Cesar Parra. Parra confessed having received multiple six-digit offers for the superb Donavan at this year's Bundeschampionate, but with the help of Anne Whitten and Mary Lou Sparks of Horses Unlimited he was able to contract the horse as a ride for himself and safekeep him for the United States dressage scene.

"Horses Unlimited will be co-owner of Donavan, which gives me the solid opportunity to train and compete a world class dressage horse here in the United States," Parra said. "Donavan is a truly phenomenal mover with three world class gaits, which is what you need if you want to score high marks in the Grand Prix," Parra said. 39% of a Grand Prix test involves movements in canter and the walk counts double. "Donavan scored big 9's for walk and canter which is what you need if you want to hit the magical 70% later on in a horse's FEI career."

Aboard Horses Unlimited's Galant du Serein, Dr. Cesar Parra competed at the 2004 Olympic Games and 2006 World Equestrian Games. However, Parra makes sure that rising talent is lined up for the future. Donavan will be joining the 2005 Nurnberg Burgpokal Reserve Champion Wild Dance and the former Bundeschampion Furst Fabio at Parra's Performance Farm in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

Photos copyrighted: Barbara Schnell

Related Links
Sir Donnerhall and Farewell III Win 2006 Bundeschampionate
Horses Unlimited's Wild Dance Shines in Frankfurt
Dr. Cesar Parra’s WEG Preparations Off to a Strong Start
Horsesdaily's Who's Who: Dr Cesar Parra
Horsesdaily's Sales & Training Facilities: Horses Unlimited
Complete 2006 Bundeschampionate Coverage on Eurodressage.com