3 Breathtaking Black Event Horses for Your Black Friday

Maybe it’s emotional residue from one too many The Black Stallion viewings as a kid, but there’s just something about seeing an event horse the color of polished onyx that makes my heart skip a beat. And when their performance matches their tall, dark and handsome good looks … swoon.

There were three black horses this year, in particular, that had me crushing hard. Since it’s Black Friday, I thought I’d share!

FRH BUTTS AVEDON

This 12-year-old Hannoverian gelding, campaigned at the four-star level by Germany’s Andreas Dibowski, first caught my eye at Luhmühlen in June, where he finished 11th. He gets his midnight-hued coat from his daddy, Heraldik xx, who has sired a number of top event horses.

Dreamy, right?

Andreas Dibowski and FRH Butts Avedon (GER). Photo by Leslie Wylie.

FRH Butts Avedon at Luhmuhlen. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

I got to see him again at the Pau CCI4* in October, where he finished 12th.

Andreas Dibowski and Butts Avedon. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Andreas Dibowski and RFH Butts Avedon at Pau. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

HALUNKE FBW

Another horse by Heraldik xx, Halunke FBW made his CCI4* debut at Pau this year. He was in the lead after cross country but was unfortunately withdrawn before the Sunday horse inspection; however, with Michael Jung in the irons we can’t wait to see what’s in store for this horse’s future.

Michael Jung's Halunke FBW. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Michael Jung’s Halunke FBW at Pau. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Halunke is registered with the FEI as “other brown bay,” whatever that means, but let’s get real — the horse is black.

Michael Jung and Halunke FBW. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Michael Jung and Halunke FBW at Pau. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Michael Jung and Halunke FBW at Pau. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Michael Jung and Halunke FBW at Pau. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

DOWNTOWN HARRISON

One more for you to feast your eyes upon: Downtown Harrison. This 11-year-old Trakehner/Thoroughbred gelding has been piloted by Jon Holling to top finishes, including a CCI3* win at Bromont in 2012. I had the pleasure of watching him compete at Boekelo this year, where he finished 23rd.

Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

He’s also registered with the FEI as bay, and yeah, maybe he has a smudge of brown on his oh-so-kissable muzzle, but for all practical purposes …

Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Jon Holling and Downtown Harrison at Boekelo. Photo by Leslie Wylie.

Yum.

Of course, a number of other black event horses could have made my dream horse list. Which is your favorite?