Greatest Horses - Dutch Courage

Dutch Courage was a striking dark bay dressage stallion, ridden by Jennie Loriston-Clarke, together they took British dressage to the forefront decades before Charlotte and Valegro!

Born in January 1969 his dam was Higonia (a Guelderland) and his sire a thoroughbred called Millerole XX.  Jennie spotted Dutch Courage in February of 1972 in Holland.  Together with Mrs Steele they bought him and transported him back to the UK.  He was turned out for the summer to grow up and then later in the year they began to train him to saddle.

Known as Bill at home he could be naughty when he was bored, but he was easy to train and keen to learn.   

At 6 years old he competed in his first Prix St. Georges.

1977 - 8th at the European Championships

1978 - Bronze at the World Championships (the first ever Dressage medal for Great Britain)

1980 - 6th at the Alternative Olympics

Between 1978 and 1985 they won the National Dressage Championships 6 times, competed in 224 dressage competitions; winning 127 which included 32 Grand Prix, 8 Grand Prix Specials and 21 Intermediare II.

Sadly, just before the 1984 Olympics Bill developed a virus and he couldn't compete.  He was then retired back to Catherston Stud where he had been covering mares whilst also competing for most of his life.  Two of his most famous offspring where Dutch Gold and Catherston Dazzler, both of whom competed at international level in dressage.  

Catherston Dazzler

Bill enjoyed his retirement with Jennie until in 1991 at the age of 22 he suffered a severe colic attack and had to be put to sleep.

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Until next time!   

Jo