American Dressage News

Dr. Cesar Parra’s Donavan Passed Away

July 12, 2007

Dr. Cesar Parra’s Oldenburg stallion Donavan has passed away unexpectedly in the night of July 11, 2007 . The dark bay licensed stallion suffered from a severe colic attack and was transported immediately to the Running S Equine Veterinary Facility in Pottersville , NJ , where Dr. Greg Staller operated on him. Unfortunately, Donavan could not be saved and had to be euthanized.

“Donavan was so special to all of us,” said a heavy-hearted Dr. Cesar Parra. “He was truly a champion in every way. He was the best horse I have ever had and I am grateful for the time I had with him and for all he taught me. All of us here honestly enjoyed every day with him, and this is what I take from the sadness: that we must love each other every day and enjoy each moment.”

The 6-year old Oldenburg branded Donavan (by Diamond Hit x Consul) was a champion from the start. As a 4-year old he won the German Young Horse Championships under his breeder Dr. Monika Mittermeyer after which he sold to Cesar, who was convinced of the stallion’s three world class basic gaits and superb rideability. The horse stayed in training with Carola Koppelmann in Germany and became the reserve champion in the 5-year old division at the 2006 German Young Horse Championships.

Donavan moved to the United States in the winter of 2006 and continued his string of success by becoming the most successful 6-year old FEI young dressage horse in the country. Supported in his career by Cesar’s close friends Dr. Jackson and Carolyn Morgan, Donavan won the USEF/Markel Eastern Young Horse Selection Trials in Raleigh qualifying for the 2007 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Verden, Germany, and the 2007 USEF/Markel National Young Horse Championships in Kentucky as highest scoring 6-year old in America.

With the untimely passing of Donavan, the United States lost an outstanding young dressage horse and a valuable breeding stallion.

Photos copyrighted: Barbara Schnell - Mary Phelps

Related Links
Dr. Cesar Parra Chooses the 2007 USEF/Markel U.S. Young Horse Championships
A Fresh Start for Dr. Cesar Parra with New Horses
German Reserve Bundeschampion Donavan To Join Dr. Cesar Parra in the United States