Zirocco Blue VDL says farewell to the sport

The VDL Stallionshow 2017 was a fantastic show full with emotions. At the show the retirement of Zirocco Blue VDL was announced and that he will now be fully available for breeding. Last time we saw the great white stallion in the ring was during the Olympics in Rio. After a great season the competition in Rio did not go as planned. Zirrocco called it quits during the triples, leaving the Dutch team with just three riders to go for the final.

Together with rider Jur Vrieling the stallion did achieve many wins during their carreer. Amongst them are the Grand Prix of Copenhagen, CSI Twente and Worldcup win in Oslo. Next to that the pair were of value for the Dutch team many times. They were there at the win for the European Championships in Aachen and they shined during many Nations Cups.

"After Rio people already said that it might have been enough. But Zirroco is such a great horse that we did have a little go at it. Sadly the doubt quickly returned and then we knew it was time to stop trying. He is a special horse with so much power and sensitivity. I will never forget him" Jur Vrieling said.