Parzival will get a retirement ceremony after all. The crowds will be able to say goodbye to one of Holland's most decorated dressage horses at a special ceremony held during the 2017 CDI-W 's Hertogenbosch on 11 March 2017.
After retiring from the Grand Prix at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Cornelissen no longer competed her now 20-year old Parzival (by Jazz x Ulft). The 37-year old Cornelissen has now annonced that Parzival will get his retirement ceremony on Saturday 11 March at 15h30 during the break in the Grand Prix freestyle class.
Parzival was one of Holland's most successful dressage horses. He became the 2007 Dutch Grand Prix Champion and became a member of the Dutch team from 2008 till 2016 (with the exception of 2015). He won team and GP Special gold and kur silver at the 2009 European Championships in Windsor. He won team gold at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and in 2011 they became the European Champions in Rotterdam. They also won the 2011 World Cup Finals. In 2012 they claimed team and individual silver at the Olympic Games in London. In 2013 they got team silver and Special and Kur bronze at the 2013 Europeans in Herning. At the 2014 World Equestrian Games they earned team and kur bronze.
In 2015 team trainer Wim Ernes refused to take Parzival on the team because of the horse's age and recurrent health issues. However team trainer Johan Rockx opted for Parzival in 2016 for the Rio Games but that became a great desillusion and undeserved swan song for the then 19-year old top medal winner Parzival.
"I wanted to give Parzival a nice goodbye in Holland and I have good memories of Indoor Brabant. We booked many successes there, including winning the World Cup Final," Adelinde commented on the retirement ceremony.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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