The superb one-eyed stallion Cornado NRW, who jumped to great success with legendary showjumper Marcus Ehning, has died at the age of 23 owing to an incurable tumour.
The stunning grey wonder horse retired from the sport in 2021, but also proved successful as a breeding stallion and it was the North Rhine Westphalian (NRW) State Stud who issued a statement to announce that Cornado NRW had been put down on Wednesday, 28 April.
“It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Cornado NRW,” read the statement.
“The prospect of a pain-free life was no longer possible. With him, we lose not only an exceptional top athlete and sire, but also a true stallion personality. The striking and imposing grey stallion captivated us until the very end with his vitality, his spirit and, in the best sense, his proud yet approachable nature.”
Cornado NRW: €1.8m in prize money during a stellar decade at the top
Cornado NRW was bred in Germany by Antonius Schulze-Averdiek and is a son of the great Cornet Obolensky, out of Acobat mare Acobata.
German rider Franz-Josef Dahlmann rode him in his earliest competitive outings before five-time gold medallist Marcus Ehning took the reins at the start of 2012. As a partnership, they won €1.8m (£1.5m) in prize money, competing at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, where they finished 10th individually, and contested three World Cup Finals.
Marcus and the popular grey competed at the top level for nearly a decade, winning five-star grands prix in Verona, Bordeaux, Paris and ’s-Hertogenbosh.
But as the statement from NRW State Stud explains, Cornado NRW also touched people with his charisma and “extraordinary will to perform”.
“Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him will never forget his special presence and aura,” it reads.
Marcus Ehning and Cornado NRW competing in Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 2018.
A one-eyed wonder
Cornado NRW had his right eye removed after suffering problems with it at the end of 2018 but he quickly adapted, returning to compete at the top level.
He was retired a couple of years later, when Marcus Ehning described him as “one of my favourite horses”.
“He is an incredibly talented horse and every day he has so much motivation,” Marcus said at the time. “A few years ago he lost one eye, which makes it more difficult for him but he is like a person and never gives up.
“He has amazing talent and I am very proud to have a horse like this in my life because not many horses have this quality in their jump, rideability, scope and everything in one package.”
Cornado NRW’s legacy will live on through his quality offspring. The NRW State Stud statement added: “The sport and breeding world have lost a great stallion – the team at the NRW State Stud pays tribute to a venerable stallion and exceptional athlete. Farewell, Cornado NRW. You will never be forgotten.”
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