Source:  Various

Robert Dover announced that his 2004 Olympic mount, FBW Kennedy, passed away last night.  He said on his website, DoversWorld:

It is with great sorrow that I must report the passing of FBW Kennedy, the 4-legged love of my life and that of all of those who knew him. Kennedy was absolutely the smartest horse I have ever known and he knew he was loved from the time that his wonderful owner and trainer, Lone Joergensen, purchased him, made him into one of the world’s greatest competitors, throughout the time that he brought me the best results of my career and until the last moment of his life. Last night, he was given his usual treats at night-check and the vet said that he apparently died quietly during the night from either heart failure or an aneurism as the stall showed no sign of any distress whatsoever.

 

FBW Kennedy was 21 years old and I guess we should all be blessed to become old and die quietly in our sleep. Still, I feel broken hearted not to have him around to pet and feed carrots and I hope he will be remembered as he was, one of the greatest Dressage horses ever who brought Lone, me, Katherine and Jane Clark the most unbelievable joy as well as the greatest success for ourselves and our countries!

Kennedy was bred in Germany.  He was trained and shown by Lone Jorgensen of Denmark in European Championships where they earned bronze medals.   They also competed at the Sydney Olympics and Jerez World Equestrian Games.  

Dover rode him in the 2004 Olympics where they earned team Bronze, and in the 2007 World Cup Final in Las Vegas.  Dover's protegee, Catherine Bateson-Chandler also got valuable FEI experience riding Kennedy in 2005-6.  He had been retired in Millbrook, New York since 2007.