International Dressage Pony Epiascer Passed Away

Dressage

Hungary

Epiascer, an FEI Dressage Pony who took six different riders into the international ring and to nine European Pony Championships, has passed away. He was 26 years old.

Epiascer was a 2000 born Belgian Riding Pony registered gelding with New Forest pony bloodlines. He was by Ten Ankers Jerolianca out of Passie (by Large River Cleopas x Marko) and bred by Patrick Moortgat.

Belgium to Poland

The common denominator for the successes of Epiascer and his riders in the arena was Belgian trainer Carmen De Bondt, who coached no less than five riders on the spicy pony.

Epiascer made his show debut in Belgium at national level under Marie Somers. She first competed the 6-year old in April 2006 and campaigned hum until September 2007.

With Jedrzejczyk at the 2009 Pony Europeans

The dark bay sold to the Polish Jedrzejczyk family for daughter Ania (Anna) to ride under Carmen's tutelage. They made their international debut at the 2008 CDI Weikersdorf, and also went to Bonn before representing Poland at the 2008 European Pony Championships in Avenches, where they were 39th in the individual test. A year later the pair finished 13th in the consolation finals at the 2009 Pony Europeans in Moorsele.

Belgian Team Pony

As Jedrzejczyk moved into the junior division with horse Fire Fly, her pony Epiascer sold back into Belgian ownership and became a Belgian team pony for the European Pony Championships with three different riders.

With Defalque at the 2010 Pony Europeans

He was acquired by Charlotte Defalque as a successor for her pony Milkshake. Charlotte competed him for two seasons. She debuted Epiascer in February 2010 at national level and rode her first CDI with him in Saumur, followed by Moorsele. At the 2010 European Pony Championships in Bishop Burton they were 21st in the individual test. They won silver at the 2010 Belgian Pony Championships. In 2011 she showed him successfully at the CDI Moorsele and finished sixth in the Kur at the 2011 European Pony Championships in Jaszkowo. They won gold at the 2011 Belgian Pony Championships.

With Antonia Arl at the 2013 CDI Maastricht

Epiascer sold to Belgian based German horse dealer Jochen Arl and the pony received the prefix "Equestricon." Trained by De Bondt, Lavinia Arl first took the ride and won gold at the Belgian Championships in 2012 and 2013. At the European Pony Championships they were 15th in the Kur in 2012 and 10th in the Kur on 2013. They also became the rare pair that has been able to score over the magical market of 80%. At the 2012 CDI Pompadour they won the kur with 80.292%.

Younger sister Antonia Arl began riding Epiascer at the end of 2013. She also won gold at the 2014 Belgian Pony Championships, scored a triple win at the 2014 CDI Pompadour, but missed out on the 2014 European Championships.

Hungary

As of 2015 Epiascer became owned and ridden by Hungarian Hanna Ivan, who also trained with De Bondt in combination with Peter Pachl. Ivan debuted Epiascer internationall at the CDI Caselle di Sommacampagna in April 2015 and headed to the European Pony Championships in Malmo, where she was 40th in the individual test. Ivan competed Epiascer for two more years. At the 2016 Pony Europeans she was 30th in the individual test and at the 2017 Europeans she landed 23rd place in the individual test. She won gold at the 2017 Hungarian Pony Championships.

In 2018 Epiascer permanently moved to Hungary and sold to Hungarian rider Natalia Uzonyi, who debuted the then 18-year old gelding at Children level in Mariakalnok in May 2018. She rode him at one more CDI in Brno in the FEI pony classes. That show in June 2018 was Epiascer's last international.

Retirement

Uzonyi continued to train Epiascer a little longer in Hungary, but eventually retired him to the field. He spent his last years at Paulina Révész’ stable.

"He went to stay in a paddock at some dear friends of mine, whose little boy would sometimes ride him," Natalia told Eurodressage. When asked what her fondest memory of Epiascer was Natalie replied, "probably the first time I rode him. He is the most special pony."

Marking Lifes

Epiascer became influential in the career of many pony riders. However, of the six riders that Epiascer took into the CDI ring, only one is still competing internationally (and riding): Charlotte Defalque. She went on to compete on the Belgian team at the 2022 World Championships, 2023 and 2025 European Championships.

"When I bought Epiascer, he was kind of the little ugly duckling, always finishing last, or at least near the back of the field, in competitions. Ania and her family are truly wonderful, kind-hearted people. They placed their trust in us and gave us the opportunity to try Epiascer for a short period before making the decision to buy him" Charlotte told Eurodressage. "He was a difficult pony to ride, with so many emotions and so much sensitivity in the ring. Together with my mum and my trainer, Carmen de Bondt, we decided to take on the challenge. It took hours and hours of work, patience, understanding and listening to earn his trust, make him feel safe and learn how to manage all those emotions."

Defalque added that her biggest moments with him were the 6th place at the Europeans, the nations' cup win at the CDIO-P Moorsele, and winning the CDI-P Roosendaal. "Wow, the emotions when we came out of the arena. I remember my trainer Carmen, emotional at the side of the ring, and Jeroen running towards us with tears in his eyes, telling us that it was the most beautiful pony test round he had ever seen. I still can feel all those emotions today. And I will never forget the article you published at the time, saying that I had managed to tame this little pony and that together we were undoubtedly a duo to watch at European level."

With Defalque at the 2011 CDI Roosendaal

Defalque concluded that, "I feel pride because he went on to take each of his subsequent riders to the highest steps of the podium." She remembers it was heart-breaking to sell the pony when she aged out. "I was still just a little girl, having to let go of my best friend, my partner, my family member, my soulmate," she said.

Lavinia Arl took over the reins on Epiascer and he was life defining for her as well. Lavinia reminisced, "he in fact changed my life when I was a young teenager," said Lavinia. "He was my everything. I was very moved when I heard about his passing."

Lavinia's sister Antonia added, "Lavinia had had a fantastic career with Epiascer, but when she moved up to the Junior division, I was so happy that Epi and I also had a strong bond. I was 13 when we became Belgian champions. He was a very loyal pony who never let you down. He moved like a miniature horse, and that was what made him so special. His movement and his presence were impossible to miss. He was truly a sweetheart."