Middleburg-based equestrian Lynn Symansky has turned Donner, an off-the-track Thoroughbred into a top international three-day event horse. Now the pride of the Donner Syndicate; Donner has represented the USA several times with Lynn in international competition. Most recently, Lynn and Donner competed in the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials CCI4*, August 30-September 3, in England, finishing in sixth place — the best result of the eight American entries.

"It was magic, and it's been years in the making," said Lynn. "Luckily it came together, and we had fun."

Burghley is historic, prestigious and has a reputation as the most challenging 4-star. The cross-country track is huge, as maximum as a 4-star can be. Of the 61 starters at Burghley this year, 40 finished. While 30 pairs jumped clear, many had time penalties on the cross country, which saw 11 eliminations and four that retired voluntarily.

Lynn and Donner had an amazing clear cross-country with only 3.6-time penalties. One rail in show jumping added four more for a final score of 53.1. The winning score was 45.6.

Their Burghley result really was years in the making: Lynn was born with a passion for horses. Her parents, who loved to trail ride, lived in Hunter's Valley in northern Virginia and kept a cabin in the Shenandoah Mountains. Lynn rode in utero before she was born, then on the Western saddle in front of her dad. She started riding independently at three. Five when she competed in her first event, she grew up in the U.S. Pony Club.

At nine, she got Tie Dye, a flashy tri-color paint large pony, talented but green and spooky. Lynn persevered with her, and they won many events up to Training Level. At 13, she acquired a dressage horse that was, in her words, "too chicken to event" so she focused on dressage. Then there was No It Tissant, the ex-racehorse she competed at Advanced when she was 18 and rode to earn the coveted "A" rating from Pony Club.

Lynn and No It Tissant competed on the U.S. Team in the 2003 Pan American Games, finishing 10th, at Fair Hill International (MD). In their four-star debut at 2007 Rolex Kentucky, Lynn pampered "Fergus" around the cross-country, picking up 31.6-time penalties for a top 20 finish. They reran Rolex in 2008, earning Best Conditioned Horse.

In 2008 Lynn bought Donner, a talented but flighty 5-year-old with special needs, including extremely sensitive skin. As she pointed out, "He showed up for work every day." With great jumping talent from sire Gorky Park and stamina over a long distance from dam Smart Jane (by Smarten), Donner has justified Lynn's efforts.

They were on the USA gold medal team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Mexico. They finished fifth in Donner's 4-star debut at 2013 Rolex Kentucky and, as second highest-placed American, earned the National Four Star Reserve Championship, plus Best Conditioned, Best Turned Out, and Highest Placed OTTB. That fall they finished 13th at Pau CCI4* (FRA).

They won the 2014 Bromont CIC3* (CAN). In 2015 they finished 12th at Rolex Kentucky, 2nd at Great Meadow International CIC3*, and competed on the U.S. team in Aachen's CICO3* (GER). That fall, they finished 14th in their first Burghley. In 2016 they went to the Rio Olympics as traveling alternate for the US Team.

Last May, their first run at Badminton CCI4* in England produced a clear round on the testing cross-country track to finish 22nd out of 81 pairs. In July, their second place contributed to the US team's victory in the FEI Nations Cup™ at Great Meadow International.

"Donner's pretty cool to ride," said Lynn. "The longer the course, the harder the course, the better it suits him because he's got the stamina for it. I went into Burghley with some high expectations. I've been on that track before, and you get to know what you can expect going cross country. Donner keeps improving every year."

Donner won't compete again this year. Lynn has her sights on the World Equestrian Games, September 11-23, at Tryon International Equestrian Center (NC).

"Donner came out of Burghley really well with his body and his soundness," said Lynn. "My plan will be to take him to Ocala for the winter and have a quiet run or two there. Go to Carolina for the CIC3*, then The Fork at Tryon. Probably we'll run at Kentucky this year. I don't need to, pointwise, but the selectors want to see that the horses are still on form. Donner did two 4-stars this year and ran great at Great Meadow. He's — knock on wood — a very reliable and sound horse, but you just never know."

Lynn's "pipeline" of prospects includes The Donner Syndicate's RF Cool Play and SpectraVET Tempranillo.

"I'm always looking for something to bring up through the ranks," said Lynn. "One day you're on top, and the next day you're building and starting over with a Novice horse. The highest ups and the lowest downs, but in eventing that's what keep you going."