GOOD BYE LIMBO
1991 - 2004

Words and Pictures by Berni Saunders
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On Saturday September 18th one of Australia's most loved equines lost his battle with laminitis which arose following health problems associated to travel sickness.

Limbo, a 13 YO bay Danish Warmblood gelding by Lucky Light from Cariocca by Calimero was bred in Europe and owned by Rob and Mary Hanna.

The horse was in Quarantine in England at the beautiful property of Jim Partridge, where the best horses have their mandatory stay before returning home with a clean bill of health.  He was under the expert care of UK-based Australian Team Vet, Graham Potts, who had the back up of other equine experts.

Mary told me that it was all such a shock.  "Limbo arrived in England and looked a picture of health.  He was resting comfortably and awaiting the time when he could return home to Australia.  I was told that routine monitoring had detected a temperature of 39 degrees.  This was due to  a chest infection, which worsened and developed into Pleurisy.  Colitis (irritable bowel) and further complications of urinary malfunction were reported.  Experts were consulted and Limbo was under the care of the best. 

Laminitis became evident in his hind feet - which is unusual and the vets, at first, felt that there had been minimal separation of the hoof and they predicted that Limbo would recover from this setback.  At this point it was optimistically believed that Limbo was over the worst of his illness and was on the way to recovery.   Unfortunately, the Laminitis worsened with a complete separation of the hoof walls and breakdown of the foot function reported.  Limbo was in agony, not eating and reluctant to rise.  His pain was managed by the epidural administration of medication but it was clear that the horse could not manage without this radical treatment, which could only be considered as short term relief."

Mary and Rob had to make the very difficult decision to put an end to Limbo's pain ... and with this, the end to a wonderful friendship and future dreams.

Speaking to Mary at home, I felt for her sense of helplessness - Limbo is in England and she is here 24 hours away and unable to help.  As a horse owner I can relate to her pain and loss.

I am sure that she will find some comfort knowing that the whole Australian dressage community are overwhelmed by the sorrow of such a terrible loss.  I hope that the support of friends and admirers will ease the pain.

To celebrate the life of the wonderful Limbo, I put together  these pages of career highlights that will immortalise him and give him a place in our hearts forever.

Limbo started his early competition career doing some showjumping .  His talent was recognised by the legendary Finish Dressage trainer, Kyra Kyrklund.    Mary and Kyra go back quite a way ...  and when Mary was looking for a top horse to take over the 'very large shoes' left by the retirement of her wonderful partner Mosaic ll, Kyra recommended the imposing Limbo.  In 1998 Limbo came to Australia and he has made a huge contribution by 'raising the bar' and taking Australia forward as an internationally recognised dressage nation.

Together Mary and Limbo have 'climbed mountains' ... and through the good and bad Mary always comes up smiling and presenting a positive persona that can only be good for dressage.  They have been wonderful ambassadors for the sport ... and Australia, all over the World.

Limbo has been extremely consistent and on top for the 6 years he has been in Australia.  He has coped with his demanding life and remained sound.  His achievements are too numerous to mention, but the special moments include:

• 2004 Individual representative at the Athens Olympics.

•  2004 Australian Dressage Championships Runner-Up GP Champ.

• 2004 Winner CDI-W Taupo New Zealand

• 2003 Australian Dressage Championships Runner-Up GP Champ.
•  2002 WEG Jerez - 12th in Team classification
•  2002 WEG Jerez - 41st in Individual classification
•  2000 Sydney CDI - 2nd
•  Runner Up 1999 National Champion
• 1999 National Championships - Grand Prix 2nd / Freestyle 3rd /  
   Special 2nd

The  last time I saw the handsome brown gelding was at the Olympic Games in Athens on the 21st August 2004.  I had spoken to Mary upon my arrival in Greece, when she and Limbo were still in Germany staying at the home of PSI -Ulrich Kasselman's stables.  They had arrived safely and were planning to be in Athens on the 11th of August, 10 days before their Grand Prix ride.  I called her again after she arrived in Athens and knew that the Aussies had arrived safely.

The next time I spoke to Mary was on the morning of the 21st. August.  I called to wish her a good ride and the best of  luck.  She was in great spirits and said that Limbo had  settled well and was handling the heat with no problems.  She said,  "He is working the best I have ever felt him and I am looking forward to my ride". Mary had some last minute training with Hubertus Schmidt, and was 'tickled pink' with the improvement in Limbo's Piaffe.  "Hubertus is a genius, he has been so kind and generous," Mary said.  "He has his own horse to prepare (Wansuela Suerte) and yet he has given me and Limbo so much time and the help ... it has been of great benefit.  I am planning to return to Germany after the Olympics to do some further training with him,  am so excited."

Mary was the last to go, on the second day of competition the 21st Aug, in the Grand Prix Individual Qualifier and Team event.  There was a swirling wind and a good deal of noise from flapping flags and other items being blown around the grandstand.  Limbo was 'rock solid' and focused, it was the best Grand Prix test that I have seen Mary ride, very forward - and as promised, the Piaffe segments were active, centred and expressive.  There were no mistakes and I thought that it would be a high 60's (maybe a little more!!!) test.  I was surprised at the conservative score and felt that it was too low for a foot perfect and well ridden performance - with NO errors.  I thought that maybe as Limbo was not exploding with tension and 'electric sparks' as some of the top scoring horses were -   that perhaps his style of going is not the modern 'face' of the sport - something to ponder !!!

I believe that the international dressage has taken on a requirement for 'on the edge' performances that move away from the perfect relaxation, purity of paces and rhythm that we have prized ... above all else.  I am sure these aspects are considered, but not to the exclusion of seeing the special qualities which can make dressage 'dance'.   Limbo did exactly what he was asked to do.  What more could a rider wish for.

I called Mary an hour or so after her ride and she was a little emotional at what she had been able to achieve with Limbo.  She said "I am so happy with him, he felt fantastic.  He did everything that I asked and I got the Piaffe.  I am disappointed with the score, but very pleased with my horse".

My pictures trace some highlights in his illustrious career

RIP - Limbo.  May your lush clover paddock in heaven, never dry off.

Mary and Limbo at the end of July, waiting for the truck to take
Limbo the Airport  then to Germany and on to Athens.

Simone Bell, Limbo's long time groom.  She will miss him as much as Mary.  Grooms are very fond of 'their horses' and live for their happiness and wellbeing.  Poor Simone ... a terrible shock and loss for her.

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