Brentina (foaled May 29, 1991) was an Olympic-level
dressage horse ridden by
Debbie McDonald. She was owned by
E. Parry Thomas.
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''Dressage News'', December 21, 2009
Breeding
Brentina was by
Brentano II, who was Hanoverian stallion of the year in 2003 and was second at his stallion testing. He has produced several impressive offspring, such as Barclay and Barclay II, Bone Dea II, and he is the dam-sire of
Poetin
Poetin (1997 - December 2005) was a world-class dressage horse that was the 2003 World Young Dressage Horse Champion in the six-year-old division, and sold for a record amount at the PSI Auction in Germany.
Breeding
Poetin was of excellent blo ...
. Brentina is a full-sister to the stallion Barclay II.
Pedigree
Pedigree for Brentina
1991 Chestnut mare
Dressage career
Brentina was sold to Peggy Thomas for 150,000 Deutsch Marks at the 1994 October Elite Auction in
Verden.
She was originally intended as a mount for Peggy, but as a young horse, Brentina threw Mrs. Thomas off and McDonald kept her as a ride. The mare has since had incredible success at the international level in
dressage, becoming one of the most successful U.S. horses in history, mainly due to her excellent work ethic and the partnership she shares with her rider.
In 2003, Brentina underwent surgery to correct a breathing problem, caused by a paralyzed windpipe, that restricted air intake to 30% of normal capacity.
After a mild tendon strain at the 2004 CDI*** in
Dortmund, Germany, McDonald and the Thomas' decided not to compete the mare in the upcoming Athens Olympics selection trials. However, due to their #1 standing in the
USEF Grand Prix Rankings, and after a recommendation by Klaus Balkenhol, the U.S. Dressage Team Coach, the Committee on Selections of the United States Equestrian Federation added her to the short list for the
Olympic Games
The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a vari ...
.
Brentina was also named to the 2006
World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrianism, and are administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The games have been held every four years, halfway between sets of consecutive ...
team. She completed the team competition, finishing with a very good score and helping the Americans to a bronze medal. However, her rider felt a few tentative steps during the extended trot, and decided not to ride in the individual competition, fearing it might be a sign of injury and another ride might lead to serious injury. After a full work-up in the States, scanning the tendon, the veterinarians found diagnosed the injury as a strain, and treated it with A Cell. Brentina is expected to fully recover and return to work.
On February 10, 2009, Brentina underwent surgery for colic. McDonald reported a few days later that she was on the mend and recovering well. She remained at the veterinary facility until February 23.
Brentina was retired from competition on April 17 at the Las Vegas 2009 World Cup.
Brentina has also been made into a
Breyer horse model.
Accomplishments
2006
* Team Bronze at the
World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrianism, and are administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The games have been held every four years, halfway between sets of consecutive ...
(did not compete individually due to minor injury)
2005
* Farnam/ Platform • USEF Horse of the Year
* 3rd FEI World Cup in
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vega ...
2004
* Team Bronze
Athens Olympics
* 1st at the CDI*** Dortmund, Germany (won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
* 1st at the U.S. Freestyle Championships/U.S. League Final
2003
* World Cup Final Champion (first U.S. pair to do so)
* 2nd Team/3rd Individually, Nations Cup at CDIO
Aachen
2002
* 2002 USET Dressage Grand Prix Championship
* Team Silver/Individually 4th at the
World Equestrian Games
The FEI World Equestrian Games are the major international championships for equestrianism, and are administered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The games have been held every four years, halfway between sets of consecutive ...
in
Jerez
Jerez de la Frontera (), or simply Jerez (), is a Spanish city and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southwestern Spain, located midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cádiz Mountains. , the c ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
* 1st U.S. Freestyle Championships/U.S. League Final (best placing for the US Team or any US rider in years)
* 1st USET Grand Prix Championship/World Equestrian Games Selection Trials at the Festival of Champions.
2001
* USET Grand Prix Champions
1999
* Team and Individual Gold Medal winners at the
Pan American Games
References
{{Reflist
Dressage horses
Hanoverian horses
Individual warmbloods
Individual mares
Horses in the Olympics
Horses in the Pan American Games
1991 animal births