Brentina is an Olympic-level dressage horse ridden by Debbie McDonald. Dressage (a French term meaning training) today is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to Olympic. ...

• Color: chestnut
• Markings: star, sock RF, half-stocking RH
• Sex: mare
• Breed: Hanoverian
• Breeding: by Brentano II, out of Lieselotte (by Lungau)
• Breeder: Wilhelm Rethorst from Badbergen, Germany
• Rider: Debbie McDonald
• Owners: Parry and Peggy Thomas

Brentina was sold to Peggy Thomas for 150,000 Deutsch Marks at the 1994 October Elite Auction in Verden. She was originally intended as a mount for Peggy, but as a young horse she threw Mrs. Thomas off and McDonald kept her as a ride. The mare has since had incredible success at the international level in dressage, becoming one of the most successful U.S. horses in history, mainly due to her excellent work ethic and the partnership she shares with her rider. Hanoverian A Hanoverian is a warmblooded horse originating in Germany, which is often seen in the Olympics and other difficult English style competitions, and have won gold medals in all three equestrian Olympic competitions. ... Dressage (a French term meaning training) today is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to Olympic. ...

In 2003, Brentina underwent surgery to correct a breathing problem, caused by a paralyzed windpipe, that restricted air intake to 30% normal capacity.

After a mild tendon strain at the 2004 CDI*** in Dortmund, Germany, McDonald and the Thomas' decided not to compete the mare in the upcoming Athens Olympics selection trials. However, due to their #1 standing in the USEF Grand Prix Rankings, and after a recommendation by Klaus Balkenhol, the U.S. Dressage Team Coach, the Committee on Selections of the United States Equestrian Federation added her to the short list for the Olympic Games. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States, including dressage, driving, endurance riding, eventing, hunt seat equitation, hunter, jumper, paralympic, reining, roadster, saddleseat equitation, vaulting, and western riding. ...

Brentina has also been made into a Breyer model. Stephen Gerald Breyer (born August 15, 1938) has been a US Supreme Court Associate Justice since 1994. ...

Accomplishments

2005

• Farnam®/ Platform™ • USEF Horse of the Year
• 3rd FEI World Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada

2004

• Team Bronze Athens Olympics
• 1st at the CDI*** Dortmund, Germany (won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special)
• 1st at the U.S. Freestyle Championships/U.S. League Final

2003

• World Cup Final Champion (first U.S. pair to do so)
• 2nd Team/3rd Individually, Nations Cup at CDIO Aachen

2002

• 2002 USET Dressage Grand Prix Championship
• Team Silver/Individually 4th at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain
• 1st U.S. Freestyle Championships/U.S. League Final (best placing for the US Team or any US rider in years)
• 1st USET Grand Prix Championship/World Equestrian Games Selection Trials at the Festival of Champions.

2001 The World Equestrian Games are the world championship for Equestrianism, administrered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale. ...

• USET Grand Prix Champions

1999

• Team and Individual Gold Medal winners at the Pan Am Games