The well-known stallion Chaqui Z (by Chacco Blue) said goodbye to the jumping sport earlier this month. The breeding product of the Morsink family from De Lutte celebrated many successes with the Irish rider Shane Sweetnam. The stallion was a finalist at the World Championships for young show jumpers three times in a row with Gerben Morsink in the saddle, before he moved to America. From now on the stallion will be fully used for breeding. Spy Coast Farm announced this on Facebook.
During the National Horse Show in Lexington, the American owners announced that it was the last appearance of Chaqui Z. "Last night we honored our special Chaqui Z with a retirement ceremony at the National Horse Show for the Longines World Cup. It was a perfect culmination of his career and a great kickoff to his second career as a stud!"
Team gold EC
Several years ago, in 2013, the American Spy Coast Farm bought the stallion because their stable rider Shane Sweetnam had his eye on him. The Irish rider rode Chaqui Z until his retirement. The biggest victory for this iconic duo was the team gold at the European Championships in Gothenburg. In America, Chaqui Z was mostly seen in the big classes. In 2020, the stallion still shone in the 4* Grand Prix in Wellington and finished fourth in the 3* Grand Prix in Tryon. In 2019, the duo took home the win in the CSI4* American Gold Cup Qualifier at Old Salem Farm.
Breeding stallion
As Chaqui Z's popularity as a breeding stallion skyrocketed, Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm decided to give Chaqui a breeding career. He already managed to cover 200 mares since his arrival in America. What makes an offspring of Chaqui Z even more special is that he is currently the only son of the successful Chacco-Blue, who is available with fresh semen in America.
Finalist World Championships Young Horses
The Morsink family bred Chaqui Z out of the mare Quilina Z (by Quinar). She is the half-sister of the 1.60m horse Zekina Z (by Zandor Z) who competed with Jane Richard Philips. With Morsink in the saddle, the stallion rode the World Championships in Lanaken, Zangersheide as a five-, six- and seven-year-old. There he was a finalist three times. Rapidash, who was also bred by the Morsink family, is currently the best-known offspring of Chaqui Z. The horse left for the stables of McLain Ward in 2019 and has already successfully completed 1.60m classes.
Source: WOS, Facebook