Cupido, the recently retired Dutch Under 25 team horse that Zoe Kuintjes rode at the 2023 European Under 25 Championships, has come out of his retirement to be a junior rider schoolmaster.
Cupido is a 19-year old Dutch warmblood gelding by Rhodium out of Walinda (by San Remo). He is bred by L. Heida.
Boschman and Van Lierop
Cupido first made the spotlight in 2013 when he sold for 350,000 euro to RS2 Dressage at the Equine Elite auction.
The bay gelding made his international show debut at small tour level in 2015 under Seth Boschman. The pair first showed at the CDI Nieuw en St. Joosland and campaigned at Villach that year. In 2016 Boschman's then life-partner at the time, Robin van Lierop, took over the ride and showed him first at small tour in Saumur, followed by the 2017 CDI Nieuw en St. Joosland.
In 2018 Van Lierop and Cupido had their first Grand Prix start in Nieuw en St. Joosland, posting 69.370%, after which they rode at the CDI Aachen Dressage Days and Uggerhalne. A three year break from CDI showing followed until their return at the 2021 CDI Hagen, where they posted 61.304% in the Grand prix and 66.043% in the consolation class. It was their last international show.
Zoe Kuintjes
In the spring of 2022 the reins were handed over to Dutch young rider Zoe Kuintjes as her Under 25 schoolmaster.
Kuintjes and Cupido made their CDI debut in Exloo in June 2022 and gained mileage in Meerle, Le Mans, Amsterdam, Lier, Aachen and Geesteren before making the Dutch team for the 2023 European Under 25 Championships in Pilisjaszfalu, where they won team bronze. She finished 7th in the short Grand Prix and 8th in the Kur. They won bronze at the 2023 Dutch U25 Championships.
In 2024 the pair did two CDI's (Gothenburg and Tolbert) and were 7th at the 2024 Dutch Championships. after which a year-break from CDI showing followed. They returned at the 2025 CDI Tolbert. Seven months later they rode their last CDI in Kronenberg, Cupido's swan song.
Out of Retirement
Four months later there has been a change in plan and the fit Cupido will continue onwards as a schoolmaster for Dutch junior rider Justin van Teunenbroek.
"Justin is taking over the reins of Zoë Kuintjes, who has had a great career with Cupido at the highest level," they announced. "Now Cupido can slow down and Justin will ride him at junior level."
Justin has competed internationally in one show, the CDI Kronenberg in November 2024 at children's level with Ed (by Jazz x Future). He has taken the bay into the national junior / ZZ level classes in 2025-2026. He also competed ponies KCT's Rico and Havehoeve's Igo in 2024. Justin trained with Bart Bax and Jennifer Sekreve.
Photos © Astrid Appels - Digshots
Related Links
Zoe Kuintjes' Under 25 Ride Cupido Retired from Sport
Robin van Lierop's Cupido to Be Schoolmaster for Zoe Kuintjes
New Job and New Horses for Dutch Young Rider Zoe Kuintjes
Cupido, Price Highlight of the 2013 Equine Elite Auction