Reputed dressage rider Anky van Grunsven has reported heartbreaking news via her Twitter that her longtime partner, Bonfire, has passed. The Chronicle of the Horse has reported a statement from Anky to a Dutch publication.
“He was always a tremendous fighter for us,” [Anky’s partner Sjef] Janssen told Hoefslag. “[At the 1999 European Championships] it was hot, and Bonfire seemed overcome by the sun. However, when he came in the ring, he turned the knob, and he fought for Anky. It’s been good. We will never forget him.”
Bonfire has gone down in history as one of the greatest dressage horses of all time and will be sorely missed in the horse world. I remember watching Anky’s freestyle performances with this magnificent horse and wishing that just once I could execute tempi changes on my own. Here is a video of one of my favorite Anky and Bonfire performances. Rest in peace, Bonfire.
You can read The Chronicle’s report here and follow Anky on Twitter.
Go Bonfire.
