It is a Seinfeld-style retirement: Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) wished to end Zenith’s career on top, which meant a March 2019 curtain close for the 2004 gelding out of Rash. Zenith was first paired with Dubbeldam in November of 2011, after the gelding was bought by Springpaarden Fonds Nederland (SFN).
Within the next three years the pair achieved consistent results, but it was the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France where Zenith became a gold medalist —twice over, the pair taking both the individual and team medal. Watch Dubbledam’s faultless effort in the final four competition. Patrice Deleveau (FRA) also rode a clear round on the then 10-years-old gelding. They were also part of the winning team in the 2014 Nations Cup Final in Barcelona after putting together another clear round.
With Zenith, Dubbeldam became the first Dutch showjumper to win an individual gold at the WEG, but they weren’t quite done making history. The pair won double gold again at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen, Germany, a well deserved result after expertly negotiating the courses. With perked ears along the way, you can see him challenging the Frank Rothenberger track here.
In 2016 they had five rings in mind, the Olympic Games. In Rio de Janeiro they ranked seventh individually, coming in a hair over the time allowed on the final day of competition. Relive them jumping clear under the Rio sun in a video of the Individual Final Round A.
After years of showjumping success Zenith can now look forward to grazing the fields of ’s-Hertogenbosch.
