Davinia la Douce that Anna Buffini Competed in 2 Word Cup Finals Retired from International Grand Prix at Age 17
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May 20, 2024
Davinia la Douce the horse Anna Buffini competed in two Word Cup Finals has been retired at the age of 17 from international Grand Prix.
“Diva,” as Anna of Rancho Santa Fe, California nicknamed the Hanoverian mare, reported the retirement “with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit of admiration.”
“This horse has given me everything she has, and I have made the decision to retire her when she’s still feeling her best,” said Anna who is on the United States short list to compete in Europe for a place on the team for the Paris Olympics at the end of July. “From a horse who was overlooked by many to sixth place in the World Cup, none of us could have imagined how far Diva would take us.”
FRH Davinia la Douce was bought by Anna in 2020 from Klaus Balkenhol, the German Olympian and former U.S. team coach, whose daughter, Anabel, developed the horse to Grand Prix. Anna was successful in youth competitions and was developing at senior top sport.
“I purchased Diva off of a video during COVID, but because of the excellent training she received from Klaus and Belli Balkenhol, Guenter (Seidel, Anna’s trainer) and I were able to compete with her almost immediately. In 2021 we made our first Nations Cup team together. She also got to compete in Rotterdam and place 4th in the Special at Aachen.
“In 2022, Diva girl was on fire and qualified for the World Cup. I received a lot of acknowledgment for being the youngest ever U.S. athlete and the first African-American to compete in the World Cup, but it was all because of Diva. After the World Cup we got to experience Horses and Dreams (at Hagen, Germany) for the first time and she placed 4th in an incredibly special freestyle.
“In 2023, we found our way into the World Cup again including scoring our first ever 80% together. We flew to Florida with one chance to qualify for it and she came through again. With a 10th place finish in the Grand Prix and placed 6th with our Top Gun freestyle routine, that’s the memory I’ll take with me of Diva forever.
“Later that year she was the anchor for team USA at Aachen and the first day of the Grand Prix we set one of our personal bests.
“This horse is all heart. Going into 2024 I looked at this season as icing on the cake. She had a good first show but I made too many mistakes in the next few shows & we didn’t get the scores we were hoping to get to make the short list. However, our last show in Temecula was magical and made for a beautiful ending of our career together.
“It was a hard decision not to bring her to Europe, but just like we did with Sundayboy I always want to retire our horses before they start to decline.
“I’ll be forever thankful to this mare who has been an underdog her whole life. She may not have had the biggest muscles or the most extravagant movements but she does have the biggest heart. She will live out the rest of her days by my side teaching young up-and-coming riders, and being the boss of the barn as usual. Who knows we may also see some Diva babies in the future. I wish to thank my coach Guenter my parents and the incredible team of people who have worked so hard to keep this wonderful mare healthy and happy. We indeed did have the time of our life. Thank you Diva.”
