Potential Diva owned by Steve and Susan Thompson of Hillsboro, Ohio passed away unexpectedly Friday evening. The 2000 bay mare by Certain Potential and out of Dotevita was one of the most accomplished western pleasure horses of this decade. Most recently, she was named the 2008 AQHA World Champion in Senior Western Pleasure ridden by Rusty Green.

Diva was the 2004 NSBA Horse of the year.  That year she was Reserve World Champion in Junior Western Pleasure with Rusty Green as well as Top-10 at the AQHYA World Show with Andrea Thompson. Diva had 498.5 lifetime AQHA points and won nearly $100,000 in NSBA and AQHA money.

Andrea Thompson and Rusty Green had both intended on showing Diva at the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show. On behalf of everyone at GoHorseShow.com, we send the Thompson family as well as everyone touched by this special mare, our deepest condolences. 

A special thanks to Andrea Thompson for contributing the following information about this great horse to GoHorseShow.com during this difficult time.

“In terms of what happened exactly, we don't know yet. We are having an autopsy done and should know more soon. At this point, all we know if that the vet was treating Diva for a minor infection in her coffin bone. Unfortunately, she had a reaction to the medication they gave her and it shut down her kidneys.

Rusty, Katie and I had been with her all week and I was fortunate enough to spend the last two hours of her life with her. I think that even in her last moments she was taking care of me because no more than three minutes after the vet told me we needed to think about putting her down, she passed away, sparing me from the burden of having to make that decision. We buried Diva yesterday (Saturday) by Rusty and Katie's barn. We are going to plant a tree where she was buried.

I feel so blessed to have had seven amazing years with Diva. We purchased her at the Virginia horse show in April of 2002 from Tim and Lou Petty. Rusty was adamant that we buy her, but I don't think any of us ever realized who she would become to us. She was my best friend and someone who always loved me unconditionally. I've ridden her since I was 16 years old and she helped me to not only become a better rider, but a better person. I feel like I've lost half of myself because every horse show I went to, people would always ask about Diva. At least now I can say that she is at peace.

My parents and I want to thank everyone for all of the kind thoughts and prayers we have received. They have really helped us during our time of grieving. Diva was special to us but it really means a lot that she was special to other people as well."

You may submit your thoughts to the Thompson Family and the Greens by posting a comment below.