American Dressage News

Shelly Francis Loses Dominion in Tragic Accident

July 24, 2009

Through various close sources, the sad news has reached us that Shelly Francis has lost her Grand Prix mount Dominion in a tragic accident. The Hanoverian gelding broke his leg in his stall and unfortunately bled to death before any veterinary treatment could save the horse.

Dominion was an 11-year old Hanoverian gelding by Donnerschwee out of Wiebke. The massive liver chestnut gelding was owned by Pat Stempel, Francis' long time sponsor. Francis started competing Dominion at Grand Prix level this year and took him to the 2009 U.S. Dressage Championships in Gladstone, where they finished tenth. Her aim was to qualify him for the U.S. team for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.

Francis described Dominion as "lively and powerful and just a really cool ride." Francis and Stempel found the horse in Europe five years ago and was purchased as a ride for Stempel. “I’m an amateur rider and Shelly thought Dominion was just really, really quiet,” said Stempel. She bought him without even getting on as she hadn’t taken riding clothes with her on that European trip. “I had on leather pants and there was no way I was going to swing my leg over. So I decided to buy him and I thought I’d bring him home and if I didn’t like him, I could sell him.”

Stempel left him in the hands of Francis for training. “And before you know it, Shelly is calling me and said, ‘You know, this horse has more of an engine than I thought.’ And the more she trained him, the more that engine came out. It just gives me chills now to see him.” Hence, Dominion no longer seemed the quiet adult amateur horse but a super horse. Stempel then made the decision to have Francis keep the ride “just to see how far he could go.”

Stempel said that Dominion has been “one surprise after another. It’s just been wonderful. He has the most wonderful demeanor. He’s just very, very special.”

Our thoughts go to Shelly and Pat for this tragic loss.

Photos copyrighted: Mary Phelps/Phelpsphotos.com

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