Friesian Grand Prix Stallion Adel Passed Away

Dressage

Belgium

Belgian Grand Prix rider Marc-Peter Spahn has lost his first international Grand Prix horse, the Friesian stallion Adel 357, on 14 November 2020. He was 28 years old.

Ex-Licensed Stallion

Adel was a Friesian former licensed stallion born in 1992 and sired by Ludse out of Adeldame S (by Tsjalling). He was owned by Thieu and Martine Vanderlocht-Michiels and originally named Cas.

Adel was initially approved by the Dutch Royal Friesian studbook, but lost his licensed status in 2003 after an offspring inspection.

Adel sired no less than 3 Grand Prix level competing offspring, though, including Cas van het Hoksent (aka Fryso Huys Cas) who became better known as Anders 451, competing under Chere Burger for South Africa at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France.

Adel stood at stud at the breeder's station De Boskant in Beringen, Belgium.

Six year after losing his licensed status son Anders 451 was licensed. His second licensed son would be Hedser 465, his third the Barock Pinto Bonte Willem.

Spahn and Adel

The stallion claimed the spotlight when he came in training with Belgian Marc-Peter Spahn. The black became Spahn's career starting horse.

The pair made its international show debut at small tour level in 2003, competing in Kaposvar and Mechelen that year. They showed at the same two events in 2004.

They made the transition to Grand Prix level in 2005 and showed at the CDI Frys in the UK, but then there was a break of more than a year from international showing.

They returned at the CDI-W Brno in June 2007, winning the Grand Prix Special. They competed at the CDI's in Weikersdorf, Herentals, Kaposvar, Weikersdorf and Mechelen that year. In 2008 they added two more CDi's to their tally: Mierzecin and Wroclaw.

In March 2008 Adel fractured a bone in an accident in Vestfold, Norway, and was never expected to make a come back to sport. He was operated on by renowned veterinarian Tom Mariën and returned to fitness. He even briefly competed again.

In October 2008 Adel participated in his last competition at age 16 at the 2008 Belgian Grand Prix Championships in Herentals, where he finished fourth overall.

Retirement

Adel's retirement was celebrated at the Friesian Stallion Licensing in January 2009.

Adel spent a long retirement with his owner.

"He was almost 30, very fit, but the past weak his health declined rapidly. He could no longer get up. You know that day will come and that you have to take the decision," Spahn told Eurodressage. "The owner did everything to give him a top retirmenent. This year he still covered 15 mares. He was ridden for fun until he was 25 and enjoyed. Getting attention was everything for him."

He was one of the first Friesian stallions in Europe to connect Friesian lovers with international dressage sport.

"I was very lucky with him," Spahn explained. "Everything started with him. Fortunately I still have Jeroen, a grand son (by Anders 451), who is Grand Prix ready."