A Tribute to Dondolo

Competition Highlights

MAR ’91: First horse show.
Jun ’91: Reisbeck – first Grand Prix, second horse show (1565 points!)
Jly ’91: Reseerve Westphalian Champion (to Reiner Klimke)
Oct ’91: CDA Beek, Holland – first Grand Prix under CD conditions, receiving 60% from 0 judge, Volker Moritz.
Dec ’91: CDI Frankfurt – Record for highest Australian placing at German CDI and qualified for the special.
Feb ’92: CDI Neumuenster – Record for highest score in Grand Prix by an Australian dressage horse.
(a record which has only been broken by himself at this point) with 1518 (over 64%).
Jun ’92: CDI Arnhem – Record for highest Australian placing by anyone judge in Europe (Heinz Schuette placed Donaldo first, above Corlandus).
Jul ’92: CDI Juetenbog – Record for highest Australian percentage at Grand Prix level with over 66%.
Aug ’92: Barcelona – Dondolo set a record for the best Australian score and placing at an Olympic Games.

After the Barcelona Olympics, Dondolo was left in the care of Rudolf Zeilinger, and his performances in this time have been:
Jul ’93: Bronze Medalist in Professional division at German Championships, Verden.
Sep ’93: Meunster Outdoor Grand Prix and Grand Prix special.
Oct ’93: CDA Duesseldorf – Grand Prix and Grand Prix special, where he was second to Goldstern.
Nov ’93: German National, Rulle: Donaldo’s first Grand Prix win.
Jan ’94: Muenster Indoor – won the Grand Prix (1688 pts) and the grand Prix special.
Mar ’94: CDI Dortmund – second place in both the Grand Prix (1685 pts – 71%) and the Grand Prix Special (1534 pts, almost 75%). He was second to Grunox by three points, and it became a clear potential medal in dressage followers eyes.

52 AUSTRALIAN HORSE & RIDER SEPTEMBER 1994

Dondolo
Bay – Oldenburger – 1984.
Breeding: By Don Carlos  out of a Vierzehender mare.
Ownership History: Dondolo was sold at Damme Oldburg auction for 10,000DM as a three year old, and was purchased by Christine Doan six months later.
Training: Dondolo has ben trained exclusively by Rudolf Zellinger since June 1988.

In May 1994, Dondalo was the first Australian owned horse to be nominated by Germans as a potential team candidate for future CHIO and World Championships. He placed fifth at Wiesbaden CDI and was sold after this competition. Since being purchased by Gordijn, Dondolo has placed 2nd in the Grand Prix at Copenhagen to Kyra Kirklund on Edinburg. He subsequently placed 1st in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special at Aachen, and then 3rd in the Grand Prix Special at the Dutch Championships with  1480 pts (72.5%). At the W.E.G, in the company of Sven Rothenburger, he was a member of the Dutch team which placed 2nd in the Grand Prix Dessage.

Christine, in the meantime, is back in Australia concentrating on enjoying herself. "My goal now is to produce a decent domestic Grand Prix horse and to enjoy my time riding, teaching, and training everyday." As for Sydney 2000? " Isn’t it odd that everyone forgets that Atlanta precedes Sydney! I have no horse for Atlanta and no specific plans for Sydney…. in anywise the dressage team for Sydney seems a bit overbooked. " Though you’d think I might be fairly well placed to have another go, I’m just about the only dressage rider I know who’s not planning on Sydney! At last count I think i’d heard of Sydney 2000 dressage plans or ambitions from 2648 riders. some of whom have never ridden a dressage test. It may be unrealistic, but that enthusiasm will be fantastic for the sport."
And finally from Christine – one of Australian dressage’s great ambassadors, " I drove myself to meet my goal and then I had to battle to get Barcelona over and above the requirements of the actual sport. Then I tortured myself for almost two years trying to do the impossible an deep the horse. Let’s not talk about emotional price. On the other hand, I don’t regret a minute of it because I did it the way I had to do it. The worst was selling that generous soul who only tried his best through the whole campaign. I’ll never be privelagd to own another of Dondolo’s stamp…."
His is a name which is sure not to be forgotten, and we all look forward to following his progress.