Hubertus Schmidt had to say goodbye to his second Grand Prix horse Sammy Deluxe. The 11-year old Westfalian gelding has been euthanized after he broke his leg in an accident in the stall.
Sammy Deluxe was born in 2006 and bred by Helga Hahne. He was by Sir Donnerhall out of Flora (by Florestan x Regenbogen x Goldrausch I).
The bay gelding was first competed by Henrike Sommer as a 3-year old, but in 2011 Jill Mieleszko continued the horse's show career at L-level.
In 2012 Sammy Deluxe moved into training with Hubertus Schmidt and was soon afterwards purchased by Hubertus himself. Assistant trainer Mercus Hermes competed the horse in 2012 and took him up to S-level. In 2013 Schmidt took over and rode Sammy Deluxe in the developing PSG horse tests. In 2014 he contested the Louisdor Cup Finals in Frankfurt and finished 8th.
Sammy Deluxe showed at seven international shows between 2013 and 2015. His last being the CDI Munich in November 2015. Under Schmidt's new assistent trainer, Spanish Ivan Nieto Sanchez, the horse was presented at four national shows in 2016 and one in 2017. His last competition was at the beginning of April in Zierow.
Sammy Deluxe sustained an injury and had an operation on his splint bone. Unfortunately while getting up in his stall, he slipped and fell, breaking his leg. The horse could not be rescued and was euthanized.
"For five years we had this big moving, gentle giant with us and he did not only bring us much joy in the arena," said Schmidt. "In the autumn Ivan took over the ride. Just a few weeks ago they won the Grand Prix and Special in Zierow. We were very hopeful for a successful show season. It was not meant to be."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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