Dutch A-team rider Danielle Heijkoop has lost her small tour horse Action. The 10-year old Dutch warmblood gelding (by United x Jazz x Belisar) was euthanized due to an unrecoverable injury.
Heijkoop discovered the grey gelding as a 2,5 year old and has trained him up to small tour level herself. The duo has only competed at two international events. Action made his international small tour debut at the CDI Biarritz in October 2012 and showed in the Prix St Georges at the 2014 CDI Mechelen. The horse was schooling the Grand Prix movements at home.
Action dealt with a niggling injury but on Monday 28 September the horse was diagnosed with a big fracture in his hoof bone. It was decided in the best interest of the horse to euthanize him.
"It was love at first sight when I saw him as a 2,5-year old," Heijkoop explained. "He had this special colour, his cheaky character and this long forelock. He was special to me, he was my buddy, alwayw cheerful, injured or not. He will always have a special place in my heart."
Photo © Koen Gomes
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