DeRosa Daily Equestrian Olympic News
Horsesdaily Veteran Olympic Reporter Diana DeRosa Brings Us Into Her World

Debbie McDonald and Brentina – They Are Much Loved

I don’t recall the first time I saw Debbie and Brentina go but although the mare doesn’t have the brilliance and breathe of movement that some of the German horse’s have, there’s always been  something about this combination that just takes your breath away, but it wasn’t there for tonight’s Grand Prix.  They’ve been paired since 1994.

Debbie first started showing in jumping when she was 16 and it wasn’t until she was 37 that she switched to dressage.

Brentina, 17, is at the end of her Game.  Debbie plans to retire her at the World Cup next year in Las Vegas.  She’s paid her dues many times over.  It was Brentina who gave Debbie the honor of being the first U.S. rider to win a World Cup (2003).  In 2002 they won a Team Silver Medal at WEG Jerez and a Bronze in 2006 in WEG Aachen.  She was a member of the Bronze Medal team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.  And sure it would have been nice to go home with a medal from these Games – but this time it was just not meant to be. 

Steffen Peters – Quiet, Calm Yet Focused