German based Swiss Grand Prix rider Elisabeth Eversfield-Koch has lost her number one Grand Prix horse Rokoko N. The 17-year old was euthanized after a failed operation on 26 September 2017.
Rokoko N was a Brandenburg bred Rubinstern Noir son out of Mandy (by Montano). He was bred by Werner Niendorf and owned by Eversfield since he was a 2-year old.
The pair made its international show debut in the small tour in 2008 and at the CDI-W Frankfurt in December 2010 they moved up to Grand Prix level. They represented Switzerland at the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam, where they finished 45th in the Grand Prix. They were also fifth at the 2011 Swiss National Championships.
The combination actively competed in the CDI big tour classes between 2011 and 2014. Major successes include a victory in the 2013 CDI Vierzon kur to music and earning silver at the 2012 and 2013 Swiss Championships. The CDI Vierzon in July 2014 was their last international show. The pair was eliminated from the Grand Prix.
A failed operation caused him to be in much pain, which couldn't be relieved by medication. His condition even worsened, so that an emergency operation was carried out in another equine clinic in Duisburg. Unfortunately Rokoko could no longer get up and had to euthanized.
"He fought until the end but it didn't work out," said Eversfield-Koch. "I had hoped for more relaxed years in sport retirement for him, because this horse did not deserve such a sad ending."
Photos © Astrid Appels
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