Norwegian Grand Prix team rider Cathrine Rasmussen has retired her number one Grand Prix horse Fernandez. The Westfalian gelding is 16 years old.
The chestnut Fernandez is originally named Forkus and is by Florestan out of Wembre (by Weinberg x Carte d'Or). He is bred by Sandra Hobitz and was started as a youngster by Maria Leusmann.
Fernandez made his claim to fame under Charlotte Dujardin right before she and Valegro became world super stars. Dujardin acquired Fernandez at the Brightwells Auction in Great Britain and trained him up to Grand Prix under Carl Hester supervision.
She competed him at international Grand Prix level in 2011 in Hagen, Aachen and Oldenburg. The same year Dujardin sold the horse to Cathrine Rasmussen, who rode him at CDI's from 2011 till 2016 at twenty-one shows. They represented Norway at the 2013 European Championships in Herning but missed out on the 2014 World Equestrian Games due to an injury. Their last show together was last weekend at the 2016 CDI Herning.
"Every day we've had together has been a great pleasure. Every training he gave his best," said Rasmussen. "At every competition he gave me his all. I thank him for all he has given me. He's my little amazing horse with that big heart. Now he can eat a lot of gress, and enjoy long lazy days in the field with the others."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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Charlotte Dujardin Sells Fernandez to Denmark