Patrick Collard Passed Away

Dressage

France

French dressage judge, breeder, and veterinarian Dr. Partrick Collard has passed away on 1 October 2024. He was 80 years old.

Born on 14 May 1944, Patrick graduated as a veterinarian from the École Nationale Vétérinaire de Maisons Alfort, where he did his doctoral thesis between 1966 - 1970.

He worked as a veterinarian from 1970 till 2019, and also devoted his time to horse sport and dressage in particular.

Collard was best known as an international 4* and Young Horse dressage judge. He officiated at shows such as the 2005 Sunshine Tour and the 2008 World Young Horse Championships. In 2008 he received the Astley Academy Trophy as French Dressage Judge of the Year. He retired from FEI judging at the end of 2017, but continued to share his expertise. He served, for instance, as a Belgian WCYH team selector in 2015 and 2019.

He was also a small time breeder and his horses were known with the suffix Rocio. He introduced German dressage stallions into French horse breeding. His most famous breeding product was Haendel Rocio, who was the 2001 French Reserve Young Horse Champion, and competed up to Inter II level under Benedict Smalto. Lully Rocio (by Cheenok x Rubis Rouge) competed at CSI 1* level under Jerome Proux, while Ostentoso Rocio reached small tour under Sara Magnusson Lostria. Broodmare Lagerstroemia Rocio (by Garcon x Fennec x) produced the international show jumper Blueberry de Lola (by Sisley de la Tour Vidal) under Swiss Charlotte Fievet.

Collard also often served a judge at French Foal Championships.

Dressprod reported that his funeral will be on 4 October in the churcd of Montigny-le-Roi.