Sisther de Jeu, Edward Gal's Former Dutch Team Horse, Passed Away

Dressage

The Netherlands

Sisther de Jeu, Edward Gal's 2011 Dutch team ride and productive broodmare, has passed away on 1 October 2024. She was 25 years old.

Born in 1999, Sisther de Jeu was by Gribaldi out of Esther (by Amor x Irco Polo) and is bred by the legendary, late breeder Huub van Helvoirt.

Emmy de Jeu

She was acquired by Ton and Emmy de Jeu as a foal as the last purchase Ton made for his wife Emmy before his untimely passing in 2001.

Under Goffe Nil van der Zijden Sisther finished 6th in the 2005 Pavo Cup Finals for 5-year olds

That same year the elite sportmare arrived in Edward Gal's barn for training and the duo represented The Netherlands at the 2006 World Young Horse Championships and finished 7th in the 6-year old Finals.

At the 2005 World Young Horse Championships

The combination made their claim to fame in 2007 by becoming the Dutch Small Tour Champions. At the national show in Almelo they made their Grand Prix debut in 2008.

Dutch Team Horse

While Sisther booked some major achievements at international shows, the bay mare struggled to cope with the electric atmosphere in the show ring. Furthermore in 2009 Totilas took over the spotlight in Gal's barn and the mare moved more into the background.

In 2011 she made a come back after the sale of Totilas and the pair became members of the bronze medal winning Dutch team at the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam.

The duo's last competition together was the World Cup Qualifier in Amsterdam in January 2012. Sisther did not return to the show ring and her retirement from sport was announced a year later in February 2013.

Productive Broodmare

Sisther was retired to the field and continued her career as a highly productive broodmare in the care of Minne Hovenga and Esther de Melker of Stal Seldsum.

She produced no less than 21 foals by embryotranser and ICSI between 2014 and 2022. Owner Emmy De Jeu, who was named the 2013 KWPN Breeder of the Year, used sired such as Jazz, Zonik, Charmeur, Dante Weltino, Glamourdale, Governor, Negro, Vivaldi, Furstenball, De Niro, Johnson, Rubin Royal, Vitalis, Franklin, Revolation and Contango as match.

The two most successful offspring of that lot are probably J Marin de Jeu (by Johnson), who got licensed with the NRPS studbook, and Dumble de Jeu (by Dante Weltino) who is showing nationally at ZZ-licht level.

A Fulfilled Life

Sisther de Jeu was gently put to sleep on 1 October 2024 after her body, but not her will, started to fade.

"She was done with life. She was still good on her legs, but in the last few weeks she lost a lot of weight and really turned old. Yesterday she was still turned out, but in the evening she laid down and could no longer get up. She still ate some haylage lying down, but in agreement with the veterinarian we decided to put Sis asleep," Emmy told Eurodressage.

Emmy added, "I'm incredibly sad and couldn't sleep last night, but I resigned in the fact that this was an end without pain and discomfort. She was such an amazing horse. The last foal Ton bought, the last horse alive that my husband knew."

De Jeu concluded, "she gave 21 foals, all by embryotransfer or ICSI, so gratitude is the dominant feeling, but by god, I'm terribly sad."

Edward Gal stated this morning, "She was one of the most wonderful horses I have ever known. Thank you to Emmy De Jeu for letting me ride this beautiful mare. She‘ll be in my heart forever.“