In Loving Memory of "Abdullah Von Donauwind"

I have always been in love with the Trakehner Breed. my first experience with Horses and riding was with Trakehners back in Germany. I have read stories and stories about them. I loved to ride them, be around them.

In 1984 I was glued to my television in Germany watching anything horses during the Olympics in Los Angeles.

Then in the arena came the Gray Stallion Abduallah von Donauwind under Conrad Homfeld and I fell in love. He was all Trakehner. He won team Gold and individual Silver Medals. It was the first time that a U.S. team of non-military riders had earned the Gold Medal. In the individual competition at those Games, Homfeld tied for first place with Joe Fargis, who was then riding Touch of Class. An exciting jump-off ensued, with Fargis edging Homfeld for the Gold.

What a sight to behold. The confidence, the ease the style. This horse exuded elegance and the way he took the obstacles as if he flew with invisible wings. His ears always to the front, no nervous head shaking, and Conrad Homfeld just let him fly. No excess leather and gear on the horse, just plain horse and rider in perfect harmony!

I will never forget it. Abdullah von Donauwind was a Trakeher and one of few Horses to inducted in to the U.S. Show Jumping Hall of Fame in Tampa Florida April 4th 2009. I painted this watercolor a few years back reminiscing.



Abdullah (From the United States Equestrian Federation)

Abdullah was one of the most successful horses the show jumping world has ever seen. His illustrious career was highlighted by his standout performances at the 1984 Olympic Games, 1985 World Cup Final and 1986 World Championships.

Abdullah was purchased by Terry and Sue Williams as a three-year-old stallion as an event and breeding prospect. The striking grey Trakehner stallion soon showed his propensity for show jumping after a successful dressage and eventing career.

Abdullah embarked on a show jumping career that saw him carry riders Conrad Homfeld, Joe Fargis and Debbie Shaffner to great grand prix success, three World Cup Finals, and spots on U.S. teams at CSIOs in Europe. However, it was with Homfeld in the irons that he put together his incredible three-year stretch that ranks among show jumping's most memorable.

First came his double-medal performance at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Homfeld rode Abdullah to a clear round in the team competition to help clinch the United States its first-ever Team Gold medal. The pair also won the Silver medal in the individual competition.

In 1985, Abdullah and Homfeld finished first at the FEI World Cup Final in Berlin. Then, in 1986, with Abdullah now age 15, he and Homfeld helped the U.S. win another first-ever Team Gold medal, this time at the World Championships in Aachen. The pair served as the anchor for the team, and Abdullah was named Leading Horse of the competition, with Homfeld adding another Individual Silver medal.

Following Abdullah's jumping career, at the age of 18, he returned to Williamsburg Farm in Middleport, NY. The farm centered its breeding program around the stallion, producing a long lineage of Abdullah descendants who would go on to much success, including IHF and IJF Championships as well as American Horse Shows Association Horse of the Year awards. One such descendent is the stallion Airborne Monticello, who was on France's 1996 Olympic Team and 1998 Silver medal World Championship Team.

Abdullah was honored by The Chronicle of the Horse as one of the top 50 horses of the 20th Century. He was also named winner of the American Trakehner Association's Palmenblüte Award five times. Following his fifth win in 1986, the trophy was retired in his honor and replaced with a new one.