Canadian Olympic Team Horse Pop Art Passed Away

Dressage

Canada

Pop Art, Ashley Holzer's Canadian Olympic team horse, passed away at the age of 25 on 20 October 2022.

Pop Art, aka "Poppy", was a Dutch warmblood gelding by Amsterdam out of Jodyprinses (by Cabochon x Pretendent). He was bred by E. Korenberg in Wezep, The Netherlands

Holzer's Olympic Ride

Pop Art was first trained and competed by Gotien Siepsma in The Netherlands before he sold to Ian & Moreen Nicoll and Rusty Holzer for Ashley to ride.

Holzer began competing him internationally at small tour level in 2005 and went on to became Canada's flagship dressage pair at Grand Prix level. They showed in major competitions including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where they were 12th in the Kur to Music, the 2009 World Cup Final in Las Vegas (5th in the Kur) and 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington (8th in the Kur). Pop Art continued competing in CDI's for two more years with Ashley until their final ride at the Royal Agricultural Fair in Toronto.

Pop Art then became a schoolmaster for Ashley's student Jill Irving, who competed him at international shows for two years. They made their debut in Wellington in March 2013 and showed through September 2014 with Dressage at Devon being Pop Art's final international competition before his retirement from high performance sport at the age of 17.

Touching Hearts

The Canadian equestrian federation announced the news of Pop Art's passing.

"Amongst Pop Art’s many achievements on the international stage, the famous horse touched many lives throughout his life and was a dear member of the Holzer family. He was the little horse that would and was surrounded by many who loved and cared for him. Poppy will be deeply missed," Equestrian Canada stated.