Brentina

Brentina is an Olympic-level dressage horse ridden by Debbie McDonald.

*Foaled: 1993
*Color: Chestnut
*Markings: Star, sock off fore, half-stocking off hind
*Sex: Mare
*Breed: Hanoverian
*Breeding: by Brentano II, out of Lieselotte (by Lungau)
*Breeder: Wilhelm Rethorst from Badbergen, Germany
*Rider: Debbie McDonald
*Owners: Parry and Peggy Thomas

Breeding

Brentina is 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. Brentian is a full-sister to the stallion Barclay II.

Pedigree for Brentina
1993 Chestnut marePedigree
name = Brentina
inf =
f = Brentano II
ch. 1983
m = Lieslotte

ff = Bolero
ch. 1975
fm = Glocke
br. 1973
mf = Lungau
ch. 1974
mm = Nora

fff = Black Sky
br. 1966 "Thoroughbred"
ffm = Baronesse
ch. 1970
fmf = Grandech. 1958
fmm = Ferbel
br. 1968
mff = Lugano II
ch. 1958
mfm = Wispe
br. 1966
mmf = Nomade
ch. 1970
mmm = Docke

ffff = Blast
fffm = Madrilene
ffmf = Bleep
ffmm = Atlastaube
fmff = Graf
fmfm = Duellfest
fmmf = Ferdinand
fmmm = Marbel
mfff = Der Loewe
mffm = Altwunder
mfmf = Weingau
mfmm = Almmeise
mmff = Novum
mmfm = Seegluck
mmmf =
mmmm = |

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.

Brentina was also named to the 2006 World Equestrian Games 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.

Brentina has also been made into a Breyer horse model.

Accomplishments

2006
* Team Bronze at the World Equestrian Games (did not compete individually due to minor injury)

2005
* Farnam/ Platform • USEF Horse of the Year
* 3rd FEI World Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada

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 in Jerez, Spain
* 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