Donner, Symansky to compete for U.S. at FEI World Equestrian Games

Former racehorse and international three-day-event standout Donner and longtime partner Lynn Symansky are among the five horse-and-rider teams named to the U.S. eventing team for the FEI World Equestrian Games, set for Sept. 11-23 in Mill Spring, N.C.

Donner, a New York-bred gelding who raced under the name Smart Gorky, went winless in six starts. He arrived at Symansky’s barn in 2008 as a resale project, but she has instead partnered with him for a decade as he has climbed the levels to become one of the most decorated American horses competing in eventing.

Donner was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games, was on the U.S. team at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, helped the U.S. win the Nations Cup at the 2017 Great Meadow International, and last year was named the Equiratings Horse of the Year. He has completed the Land Rover Kentucky CCI four-star event, the most famous event in North America, four times.

Donner is by Gorky Park, who raced in hurdle and steeplechase races in Europe before coming to the U.S. to win the 1991 Continental Cup Steeplechase Handicap for Jonathan Sheppard.