Thursday, August 24, 2006

De Rosa Daily
FEI World Equestrian Games 2006 - Aachen Germany
Exclusive coverage for HorsesDaily text and photos by Diana DeRosa

Brentina is Withdrawn

Debbie McDonald and Brentina did what they needed to do in the Grand Prix test to secure a Bronze Medal for the team but during the test she had some minor concerns.

“She (Brentina) felt wonderful in the warm-up. During the first extended trot I thought I might have felt something so I rode conservatively,” noted Debbie adding that Brentina never let on. Then at the second extended trot she noticed some tentative steps by Brentina that concerned her.

“I went in there knowing I had a job to do and that was to try and secure a medal,” commented McDonald. Debbie continued her ride with two things in mind, to “take care of my mare (just in case) and to try to do my job. Being the mare that she is, she has all the heart in the world and came down the centerline with all the vim and vigor she normally has.”

Because Brentina never let on Debbie wasn’t totally sure something was wrong but voiced her concerns. The next morning when some swelling appeared in the mare’s right hind leg it confirmed her feeling and she decided to withdraw Brentina.

That day the USEF put out a statement where the team vet Dr. Tim Ober noted, “Brentina had a slight swelling after the competition on Wednesday. While a diagnosis is pending further evaluation by USEF veterinary staff, Debbie McDonald and Klaus Balkenhol have decided it is not in the best interest of Brentina to ask her to continue in the individual competition at these Games.”

“My first concern is her,” noted Debbie. Right now they don’t know what the problem is nor does Debbie feel it is something major but it was clear that the mare had to be withdrawn.

“We’ve decided to take care of it and move on,” she explained.