Sunday September 8, 2002

Olympic Medallist and Canadian Champion Emirage Passed Away

It is with great sadness that Equine Canada announces the passing of the Canadian Equestrian Team Champion horse, Emirage, on Aug. 12, 2002.

Owned by Eva Maria Pracht, the great Emirage, a Swedish Warmblood gelding, represented Canada several times. Most notably when he and Pracht helped the Canadian Dressage Team accomplish their greatest success, which was a Team Bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

In 1987, Pracht aboard Emirage along with her daughter, Martina Von Buttlar, riding Little Joe were both members of the Canadian Pan Am Dressage Team Gold Medal winners in Indianapolis, IN.

“I had him for 17 years,” noted Pracht. “He was my best friend.”

Pracht retired from international competition in 1990 after riding Emirage at the World Cup Finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, NED, finishing in 11th place overall.

Two years later, Emirage represented Canada again at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, this time with Von Buttlar aboard. In 1993, the pair was named Canadian Grand Prix Dressage Champions before Emirage was retired in 1994 in a special ceremony at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

Dressage Canada wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the Pracht family.

Related Link
In Memoriam: Amaloper