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Farewell to top dressage stallion
24 February, 2005
The international dressage world is in shock following the untimely death of top KWPN stallion Ferro, just weeks after he took part in an official retirement ceremony at the 2005 KWPN Stallion Licensing in 's Hertogenbosch.
The 18-year-old stallion was at home in the Netherlands when he suffered an acute attack of colic. He was attended by a vet before being transported to a specialist veterinary clinic at Kesteren, where his stomach ruptured, leaving vets unable to save him.
Ferro rocketed to prominence in the late 1990s with Dutch dressage rider, Coby van Baalen. The partnership made their international debut at the 1998 World Equestrian Games, where they were placed sixth individually, in addition to winning team silver. Team silver medals then followed at the 1999 European Championships and the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
The year 2000 proved to be a highlight for the partnership when they scored an incredible +80% for their kur at the World Cup final in s'Hertogenbosch to finish second behind Anky van Grunsven and the great Gestion Bonfire.
Ferro was one of the Dutch studbook's foundation stallions, having sired more than 10 licensed stallion sons, of which Kennedy, Rousseau, Rhodium and Negro are the most famous. British international rider Wayne Channon rides the licensed son of Ferro, Lorenzo.
His owners Jan Lamers and Adriaan van der Goor, current rider Suzan de Klein and former partner Coby van Baalen are all said to be devastated by the loss of this fabulous stallion.
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