BELSHAZZAR
Born in 2003, this athlete has the natural ability and scope to take on any challenge presented to him. Belshazzar started eventing in 2012 and within the first year steadily moved up the levels. With three graceful gaits, his dressage score improves with every competition and his natural scope allows him to jump anything presented to him. He has an amazing combination of enthusiasm and sensibility.
Belshazzar has some top placings at the 3 star level which has earned him full approval as a breeding stallion. He has some experience at Advanced and will be looking to continue his FEI career in 2020.
BUENOS AIRES
Buenos Aires is the first Alberta-bred horse and the first Canadian Warmblood to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. To add to this, in the history of the Olympics, only one other horse has been bred, raised, trained and ridden by the same family or individual. Buenos Aires was born and raised at Alborak Stable, owned by the Donnelly family. He is out of a mare purchased at the very first Canadian Warmblood Fall Classic Breeders’ Sale, Amphora, and by Touchstone Farms stallion Bajazzo. Buenos Aires was the first foal raised by the Donnellys and what a start in the business of breeding he turned out to be.
Trained by Sandra Donnelly, “B”, as she calls him, was a challenging young horse. “When he’s decided he’s not doing something, he’s simply not doing it”, according to Sandra. But from the start he had a presence and, early on, eventing coach Jody Sloper commented to Sandra, “He’s your team horse.” And she was right.
He took his time, advancing through each level of Eventing, each time Sandra wondering if he had what it took to move up…and he did, every time. Sandra says, “He’s not the fastest horse on the planet, but he’s reliable on the cross country course, uncomplicated and honest to his lines.” So, although they have only made time once at the Advanced level, B is not short of accomplishments in the world of Eventing.
Sandra rode him to an Eventing team silver at the 2007 Pan-American games and they then went on to be the top placing Canadian pair at the 2008 Olympic Games, finishing 31st in the individual competition.
B now enjoys semi-retirement at the family farm. His groom, Marlene Bieri, still takes care of him and rides him, and occasionally takes him to a local show.
