Gestion Bonfire

Gestion Bonfire
BreedOldenburg
SireWelt As (Oldenburg)
GrandsireWeltmeister (Hanoverian)
DamWarine (Oldenburg)
Maternal grandsirePraefectus (Thoroughbred)
SexGelding
Foaled(1983-03-21)March 21, 1983
DiedOctober 28, 2013(2013-10-28) (aged 30)
CountryGermany
ColourBay
BreederKarl Bernd Westerholt
Olympic medal record
Equestrian
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona Team dressage
Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta Individual dressage
Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta Team dressage
Gold medal – first place 2000 Sydney Individual dressage
Silver medal – second place 2000 Sydney Team dressage

Gestion Bonfire (March 21, 1983 – October 28, 2013), or Bonfire for short, was an Oldenburg gelding that competed in dressage with Dutch rider Anky van Grunsven. Between 1991 and 2000, the pair competed in multiple national and international championships, including three Olympic Games and two World Equestrian Games. They won one gold medal and four silver medals at the Olympics and one gold and three silvers at the World Equestrian Games. Although known for having a hot temperament, Bonfire mellowed as he aged, becoming one of Van Grunsven's best horses – until she found his replacement, Salinero, she did not think she would ever find a horse to match Bonfire's talent. A statue of Bonfire stands in Van Grunsven's home town of Erp.