The Bartels' family has lost their 6-year old Dutch warmblood Zan Tropez following a severe colic attack. The 6-year old bay Hemmingway x Boreas offspring was one of Imke Schellekens-Bartels' future FEI prospects and was ridden and trained by Pim Candel.
The bay KWPN gelding was discovered by Joep Bartels as a 3-year old at the Equine Elite Auction. Pim Candel trained the big bay mover together with Tineke Bartels. This year the pair was selected for the Dutch long list to represent the Netherlands at the 2010 World Young Horse Championships, but they pulled him out of the running because he was not ready yet for the 6-year old tests.
A few days ago, Zan Tropez got the beginnings of laminitis after being fed young, fresh hay. He developed a colic and was transported to the equine clinic in Moerbeke, Belgium, for surgery. Unfortunately the damage to his intestines was too severe and in agreement with the veterinarians he had to be humanely put down.
"We've been getting hay from the same supplier for the past 25 years and we never had this happen," a saddened Tineke Bartels told Eurodressage at the 2010 European Pony Championships. "We found out that the hay had only been dried for three weeks. On the operation table it turned out that there was too much damage to the bowels for him to survive."
With the unfortunate passing of Zan Tropez, Imke Schellekens-Bartels has lost a second Grand Prix prospect in a short period of time. Only a few weeks ago owner Isabel van Gisbergen-Sponslee surprisingly pulled the Prix St Georges horse Voice (by De Niro x Rohdiamant) away from Bartels Academy and moved the black stallion to Edward Gal's stable.
With Sunrise Imke Schellekens-Bartels is selected on the Dutch team for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. With the recently acquired Toots (by Jazz) she won the Prix St Georges at the CDIO Aachen.
Photo © Leanjo de Koster
Related Links
Zan Tropez Out of the Running for Verden
Zan Tropez in the 2009 Pavo Cup Semi Finals
