Belgian Grand Prix rider Sophie Baetens-van Lent had to say goodbye to her first, career-making Grand Prix horse Dark Diamant. The 21-year old retired black gelding was euthanized on 26 January 2016.
Dark Diamant was born in 1995 and bred by Otto Langels. The Hanoverian branded gelding was by Davignon out of the Trakehner mare Schwalbenlust (by Enrico Caruso x Ibikus x Impuls). His dam line produced licensed Trakehner stallions Saint Cyr, Shavalou and Songline.
The horse sold as a youngster to Sophie Baetens, who competed him at the 2000 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in Arnheim, The Netherlands, where they finished 25th in the 5-year old division. They qualified for the 2001 World Championships but did not compete there.
The pair made its international debut at small tour level in 2004 and its international Grand Prix debut in 2006 at the CDIO Saumur and then contested the CDI Hansbeke. An injury kept them from competing further at the Belgian selection events for the World Equestrian Games.
The refined black gelding only made his come back to the interntional Grand Prix in 2009. He competed at the 2009 CDIO Saumur, where he scored 64.255% in the Grand Prix and 62.292% in the Special, and at the highly prestigious 2009 CDIO Aachen, where they scored 59.915% in the Grand Prix. It was their last international show.
Dark Diamant spent his retirement at home, but had to be euthanized as his legs were failing.
"He was old and his body had given up. With the last cold he could barely move anymore. It was a hard decision, but the right one. We are sad but grateful to have had him," said Sophie's husband Jeroen van Lent.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Dark Diamant
Sophie Baetens' Dark Diamant Injured
Photo Report: 2006 CDI Hansbeke
Belgian Dressage Certain of Participation at 2006 World Equestrian Games
Belgian Performances at the 2000 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses