 Donnerhall
1981
Approved Oldenburg Hanovarian Westphalian
Holstein Bavarian Baden-Wurttemberg Hessen KWPN Danish Warmblood
Donnerhall was until recently the most successful
dressage horse in the world and looks back on an exemplary career.
He managed like no other sire of his generation to combine success
in breeding and in sport alike. It is nearly impossible to provide
a complete survey of Donnerhall's breeding record here,
as it would necessitate the writing of a separate book. In Germany
alone he has produced over 50 approved stallion sons and
more than 35 State Premium Mares.
When a colt by Donnerwetter out of Ninette by Markus-Carnot was
born at Otto Gärtner's stud farm in Wenstein, Holstein on the
30th of May 1981, no-one could have imagined that the dark chestnut
who was later christened Donnerhall, would one day stage a triumphant
march through the equestrian world like no stallion before him.
What's more, no other stallion has ever come close to achieving
what the chocolate coloured chestnut Donnerhall managed in such
a convincing manner, namely, the symbiosis of the dual qualities
of being a successful competition sports horse and on the other
hand being a top grade breeding horse. It was undoubtedly an encounter
determined by destiny, that Donnerhall grew up on the memorable
Otto Schulte-Frohlinde's Grönwoldhof studfarm.
 At
the 1998 World Championships in Rome, Karin Rehbein and the meanwhile
17-year old stallion were once more part of the German gold medal
team and gained an excellent fourth place in the individual rating.
His sporting successes, substantiated by his life winnings of
around DM 640,000 are no less significant than his importance
as a hereditary transmitter. His breeding tally includes 77 approved
sons, while of the more than 450 registered mares, 84 were awarded
the state premium, including the champion mares Primavera and
Hallo. In excess of 300 progeny have moreover been registered
as sports horses. Donnerhall's last public appearance under his
rider Karin Rehbein at the gala evening of the 1998 Oldenburg
approval, where children with lanterns formed a narrow passage
through which Donnerhall strode magnificently, remains a warm
and unforgettable memory. From that time onwards, he only fulfilled
his duties as a sire at the Grönwohldhof, where his remarkable
career had begun. On the 14Th of January 2002, Donnerhall perished
from acute intestinal toxicopathy. Donnerhall, who was already
a legend during his own lifetime has passed away but his memory
lingers on....
Rosalyn Serex
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In
1990 the five year old Don Primero won the German federal championships
for Dressage Horses under Heiko Munzmaier. German Olympic Team
rider Karin Rehbein quickly took over the reins and trained this
black star up to Grand Prix level. In 1998 and 1999 Don Primero
appeared on the scene under Falk Rosenbauer. Claimed to be sold
for 1,800,000 Deutsch Marks, the Donnerhall son will continue
his show career in Sweden where he will function as school master
and breeding stallion. Three of his male descendants already received
a breeding licence: the 1999 Bundeschampion Don Larino, Don Duriello
and Don Bravio.
