Gestion Bonfire

The brown Oldenburg gelding was born March 21, 1983, bred by Karl Bernd Westerholt of Lemwerder, Germany.

"[5] In 1991, Bonfire made his European Dressage Championship debut at Donaueschingen, Germany, where he and Van Grunsven took an individual 5th, while assisting the Dutch team to a bronze medal.

At the 1999 Championships at Arnhem, the Netherlands Bonfire and Van Grunsven took the title – gold in the individual – as well as assisting the Dutch team to another silver medal.

[1] As he grew older, he retained his famed elasticity but show signed of age in other areas, especially at the walk, which was his weakest skill in the dressage ring.

To celebrate his retirement, there was a ceremony in Van Grunsven's home town and a farewell ride at an international jumping competition in Maastricht, Netherlands.

[7] After Bonfire's retirement, Van Grunsven stated that she never thought she would find another horse as good as he was; however, his successor Salinero proved to be even more successful.