Dutch dressage rider Adelinde Cornelissen must be hoping that the old adage about accidents happening in threes is true, after a horrible run of luck with her horses this month.
Having lost the ride on the small tour mare Tiara, who returned to stud as a broodmare, her rising star and potential 2016 ride, Galahad, 13, died of colic.
This was compounded by her 16-year-old Olympic partner Jerich Parzival (pictured top) being diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia — a problem with the heart-rate — which ruled him out of next week’s Dutch show CHIO Rotterdam.
The Dutch chef d’equipe Wim Ernes explained Parzival’s absence in a press conference.
“Parzival has conditional complaints: he could not sustain the work and was not as active as usual,” he said. “Team vet Jan Greve examined him last Saturday [and Parzival] has cardiac arrhythmia. He has been successfully treated and the recovery will take several weeks. Then he can be in training again.”
Adelinde announced Galahad’s demise on her Facebook page on 2 June. The chestnut 13-year-old, by Jazz, was widely touted as Parzival’s successor, and was no stranger to the big occasion, having stood in for Parzival at many prize-givings.
- Adelinde — reigning European dressage champion — will be the keynote speaker at this year’s British Dressage Convention (23-24 November) at Hartpury College.
