Equine Canada regretfully reports that 21-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Korona, beloved partner of Canadian Equestrian Team dressage rider Shannon Dueck, was humanely euthanized on Saturday, September 21 as a result of age-related health issues.
“Korona was a talented, powerful yet elegant international competitor, whose charisma in and out of the competition ring was legendary,” said Equine Canada President Michael Gallagher. “Our heartfelt condolences are extended to the Dueck family and all of those who had the privilege of knowing this great horse.”
Dueck and Korona had many domestic and international successes, including the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, where they proved extremely competitive and, in spectacular fashion, won the Freestyle competition and claimed the individual silver medal for Canada.
“Korona (Kees) came to me as a wild three year old, and together we proudly represented Canada at the 1999 Pan Am Games, the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, and the 2003 World Cup Final in Göteborg, Sweden,” said Dueck. “He was a very special spirit embodied in plain bay horse body. We had to make the wrenching decision to put him down – he was in a lot of pain from laminitis. I don’t know where great horses go when they die, but I know he is there and I know he is royalty.”
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