Delia Cunningham’s former grand prix dressage horse Master Doruto has died at the age of 23
Former grand prix dressage horse Master Doruto was recently put to sleep at the age of 23.
Master Doruto, a Dutch-bred gelding by Doruto, was bought by List One judge Delia Cunningham as a five-year-old from former British team member Virginia Peters.
Delia said, “I saw Virginia riding him at a show, liked him and I brought him home the next day.”
Delia trained Master Doruto to grand prix level, but in 1993 he suffered injury to his hind suspensory.
Despitean initial gloomy prognosis, Delia nursed him back to full fitness and the combination made a winning return to the competitive arena in 1995.
After 11 years together, Delia retired him and herself from competition after their final outing at the Addington CDI. He was 18 and Delia was 75.
Delia said, “Master Doruto was always such a happy horse – he was always co-operative and had his ears pricked.”
Master Doruto then moved to Bedfordshire as a schoolmaster to Beverley Brightman and at the age of 21, he competed in his final grand prix with Beverley gaining third place at the College Equestrian Centre, Beds.
“He had the perfect retirement ,” said Delia.” He was kept in light work, went out in the field everyday and had the occasional ‘party’ so consequently he kept really well till the end.”
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