Dutch Grand Prix rider Katja Gevers has officially retired her number one horse Thriller from competition sport. A special retirement ceremony was held for the horse at home on 28 October 2018 in the presence of Gevers' closest friends and family.
Thriller is an 18-year old Dutch warmblood gelding by Gribaldi out of Esther (by Amor). He is bred by the late Huub van Helvoirt and is a full brother to Edward Gal's former ride Sisther de Jeu.
Gebers and Thriller began their international Grand Prix career in 2011 at the CDI Leudelange in Luxembourg. They only did one show in 2012 but went full blast as of 2013 and competed at prominent CDI's in Vidauban, Falsterbo, Hickstead, Oldenburg, Mechelen, Amsterdam, Dortmund, 's Hertogenbosch, Villach, London, Doha, Windsor, Perl, Frankfurt, Roosendaal, Darmstadt, Gothenburg, Hagen, Uggerhalne, Herning, Compiegne, Saumur, Rotterdam, Aachen.
The pair represented The Netherlands at several World Cup qualifiers and CDIO Nations' Cups.
Their last international was in September 2018 at the CDI Saumur, where they finished second in the Grand Prix with 71.957% and second in the Kur with 77.725%.
"Thriller has meant so much to me for my career," Gevers told Eurodressage. "I started at novice level with him and never dared to dream what I have achieved. Thanks to Thriller I went to incredibly beautiful shows and gained much experience. He has also taught me not to give up, to persevere, even if that was difficult."
Thriller will now enjoy a retirement with turn-out in the mornings and some light basic under saddle work or hacking in the forest. "At the moment he's still so fit that I think he won't be happy if he would no longer get attention," Katja quipped. "He's still the prince of the barn."
Gevers has several horses lined up that will keep her professional riding career going, including the Grand Prix ready Crescendo (by Tolando), the 8-year old Fleetwood Mac (by Don Romantic), and the 6-year old Highlander (by Don Schufro) as well as some youngsters.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Thriller