A big blow for German Olympic team rider Hubertus Schmidt. His current number one Grand Prix horse Forest Gump NRW died unexpectedly of colic. The 12-year old Westfalian gelding suffered from a severe colic attack and, unfortunately, could not be saved.
Forest Gump NRW is a 1995 born Westfalian gelding by Florestan out of a Pilot dam. The bay gelding was bred by Schmidt himself and trained up to Grand Prix level. Forest Gump was multiple winner in international Grand Prix classes at shows such as Lingen, Olfen, and Frankfurt. In 2005, the pair won the CDI Grand Prix at the CDIO Aachen. Two weeks ago, the pair was undefeatable at the 2007 Rolinck Cup in Munster, Germany.
Hubertus Schmidt ranked 8th on the 2006 FEI Riders Ranking aboard Forest Gump NRW. With Wansuele Suerte being for sale and the sad loss of Forest Gump, Schmidt will now have to focus his Grand Prix ambitions on the Hanoverian gelding Andretti H, his new ride for the season.
Photo copyrighted: Astrid Appels / Eurodressage
Related Links
Hubertus Schmidt Selling All his Grand Prix Horses
Photo Report 2007 Rolinck Cup CDN Munster
Photo Report 2006 CDI Lingen