Latest from Horse & Hound in Frank-ostholt

‘A fighter to the end’: final farewell to Olympic horse aged 29

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:54:18 +0000

The former Olympic eventer Air Jordan, who also won world team gold with Frank Ostholt, has died aged 29, a “fighter to the end”.

The Hanoverian gelding, who was on the German team that triumphed at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and was known as JoJo, had enjoyed a long retirement with Frank’s friend Mirko Handrick.

“It was very difficult to let him go,” Frank said. “I owe so much to JoJo; without him I would not have become the rider and trainer I am today.”

Air Jordan, by thoroughbred stallion Amerigo Vespucci xx, was bred by Horst Wesch, and Frank took the reins when he was six, thanks to owners the Vietor family.

In 2003, they won the German national title at Luhmühlen, and a year later they were on the Olympic team at the Athens Olympics, where the team finished fourth. In 2005 they were on the German team that won European bronze, and they won the four-star (now five-star) at Luhmühlen in 2006, the year of their world team gold.

2PBBP0X Germany's Frank Ostholt riding 'Air Jordan 2' in the Cross Country Test competition of the Eventing Competitions at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen 2007 in Aachen, western Germany, on Saturday, July 7, 2007. Ostholt won the competition. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz) (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Other notable achievements include twice winning at Aachen, a total of three German national titles and finishing second and third at two World Cup finals. They also finished 11th at Badminton in 2007.

“The last success of the two together was a second place in the indoor eventing at the German Masters in Stuttgart,” a spokesman for the German equestrian federation said. “In recent years, the chestnut gelding, who was fit for a long time, enjoyed his retirement with Mirko Handrick, where he shared his daily routine, stable and pasture with championship buddy Little Paint.”

Frank added: “He was as tough as iron throughout his life and a fighter to the end, he was a part of my life. I feel very lucky to have had such a wonderful horse for such a long time.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

‘It was relentless, but event riders are a different breed’ – Piggy March on the mixed emotions of finishing charity bike challenge

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

‘I never want pity’: William Fox-Pitt on why he has chosen to retire from top level eventing

(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Olympic gold-medallist and five-star eventer dies aged 24 after happy retirement

Lucy Elder — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:41:41 +0000

Olympic team gold medallist and five-star campaigner Mr Medicott has died in retirement aged 24.

The Cruising son was campaigned by five riders to represent two nations during his international career, which boasted two Olympics and a World Equestrian Games.

Mr Medicott scored placings at CCI5* with Frank Ostholt, Karen O’Connor and Phillip Dutton. He was also part of the German gold medal-winning team at Beijing 2008 with Frank and finished ninth at London 2012 with Karen.

“He was certainly a character,” said Philip. “He enjoyed life and was one of those ones that pinned his ears and tried to bite you as you were doing up the girth, but he liked the attention and liked to be hugged.

“He was pretty prepared to express himself, it didn’t matter whether it was good or bad. He was very confident in himself. He was certainly one of those horses who truly loved what he did.”

The Irish Sport Horse gelding was bred by Donal Geany in Ireland and was produced by Francis Connors, before Herman Horst acquired him as a six-year-old for Frank. The pair were fifth at the seven-year-old World Championships and two years later would finish third at Pau CCI5* and help Germany to top the podium at the 2008 Olympics.

They finished 21st at the World Equestrian Games in 2010, and the horse would return to the US the following spring – this time under new ownership.

He was bought by the Mr Medicott Syndicate, which included Sarah Broussard, Jacqueline Mars and Suzanne Lacy, as a prospective London 2012 Olympic ride for Karen. The pair were fourth at Kentucky in 2012 before finishing ninth and the highest-placed US combination at the London Games.

After London, Mark Hart and the Event Owners Task Force joined the Mr Medicott Syndicate to secure the ride for Philip.

“Unfortunately for me, I got him towards the end of his career, but it was still a great experience to have a horse of that quality,” said Philip. “He had three very good phases. He wasn’t a dead-quiet horse at the show; you had to work him down to get a good test out of him, but he had a very good dressage and was a brilliant cross-country horse, and then a phenomenal show jumper as well.”

Their achievements included fourth place at both Pau and Kentucky. In 2017, Phillip passed the reins to his daughter, Olivia, with Mr Medicott enjoying a schoolmaster role in his senior years.

He was formally retired in a ceremony at Rebecca Farm in 2018 and lived out his days at Mrs Mars’ Stonehall Farm in Virginia.

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Olympic team gold medallist retires from competition after stellar career

The horse competed at the top level with three different riders and was successful all over the world, including at

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

How to buy an eventer: what to look for

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Two promising event horses die after horrific lorry fire

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 17 May 2019 12:34:53 +0000

A fundraising page has been set up for Swedish eventer Sara Algotsson Ostholt and her husband, fellow eventer Frank Osholt after two of their horses were lost as a result of a horrific lorry fire.

Seven-year-old stallion Chaccos Crack died in the fire, on 6 May. Arpetina, a 10-year-old mare, suffered severe burns and was taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment but died on 15 May.

Sara, her son Eric and groom Roberto were travelling back from an event at which Arpetina (Peggy) had finished in 13^th place in the CCI4*-L (previously CCI3*) and Chaccos Crack in 22^nd place in the CCI2*-S (previously CIC*), his first FEI competition.

Sara had stopped for diesel shortly before the fire broke out, at which point all seemed as normal. Minutes later, the lorry was destroyed.

“I’m very thankful Roberto was with me and helped in this very awful situation and handled so quickly to get my horse and my son and dog out of the burning lorry, I can never thank him enough for this,” Sara said, adding that she was very grateful to all those who had helped her and sent supportive messages.

“RIP dear Peggy, you were fighting so hard and we thought you would stay with us some more years,” she added.“I’m so sad, you were such a kind horse with so much potential, say hallo to Chacco from us.”

To Chacco, she said: “RIP. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save your life.”

Continues below…

(Image credit: Future)

‘It went up in a fireball’: Stallion saved from burning box on A1

'There we were, standing on the A1, with articulated lorries doing emergency stops, and the wagon just went up'

(Image credit: Future)

Sara, who won individual silver at the London 2012 Olympics on Wega, is married to German eventer Frank, who was on the gold medal-winning team at the 2008 Olympics.

The aim of the fundraiser is to ease the financial burden of the fire; the lorry was only insured for liability, while the couple has had to bear costs including the towing service and damaged equipment.

“We need all help we could get,” Sara told H&H. “It can’t replace the fantastic horses we lost, but it helps us a bit on the way.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Olympic team gold medallist retires from competition after stellar career

Pippa Roome — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 06:02:29 +0000

Mr Medicott, who evented at the top level with three different riders, has been retired from competition.

The 19-year-old was honoured with an official ceremony at the event at Rebecca Farm, Montana, last Sunday (22 July), a fitting finish as hosts the Broussards were his original owners in the US and are part of his current ownership syndicate.

Mr Medicott, known as Cave, has spent his final years in competition enjoying lower level eventing with Phillip Dutton’s daughter Olivia, 16, and the pair won a young rider team gold medal over the weekend.

The chestnut is by Cruising, out of a mare by Edmund Burke, best known as the sire of double Badminton winner Supreme Rock.

The Irish sport horse started his international career in Germany with Frank Ostholt. The pair won Saumur CCI3* in 2010 and their other strong results included second in the CCI3* at Boekelo in 2007, third in the crack CIC3* at Aachen in 2008 and third at Pau CCI4* in 2008. They represented the US twice at championships, the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 World Equestrian Games, winning team gold at the Olympics.

Mr Medicott was sold to the US as a potential horse for the 2012 London Olympics with Karen O’Connor and after a fourth-place finish at Kentucky CCI4* that spring and a win at Bromont CIC3*, he was selected for the Games. The pair finished ninth and best of the US team.

Karen suffered a career-ending injury in a fall from another horse that autumn and after a couple of runs with Marilyn Little, Mr Medicott went to Phillip Dutton. The pair were fourth at Pau 2013, before injury interrupted Mr Medicott’s career — he was third after cross-country at Kentucky in 2014, but had to be withdrawn as he had aggravated an old tendon injury. After just one international event in 2015 and none in 2016, Mr Medicott came back to claim fourth at Kentucky 2017.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Disaster for Germany and Britain as New Zealand claim Nations Cup glory in Aachen

Germany claims individual glory but suffers a shock team defeat in Aachen.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Watch how MIM clip table prevents serious cross-country fall

A video shows how effective MIM clips can be in saving horses and riders from serious injuries when things don’t

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

NEW Hazel Towers’ Burghley first-timer blog: ‘To say it’s a dream come true is an understatement’

Meet our new blogger, who gave up her full-time job to become an event rider and who is now facing

Olivia took over the ride last summer. The pair tackled national events in 2017 and finished third in the Fair Hill CIC* in April this year and completed Jersey Fresh CIC2* in May.

In all, Mr Medicott started 50 international competitions, finishing in the top 10 at 31 of them. He ran at four-star nine times under three different riders, completing in the top 25 on every occasion except when he was injured at Kentucky in 2014.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Germany’s Michael Jung showjumps clear to take CIC*** at Luhm ¼hlen

Horse & Hound — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 11:52:01 +0000

Michael Jung has won the CIC*** at Luhm ¼hlen, Germany, with 7.8 penalties in hand over his nearest rival.

Michael’s ride Weidezaunprofi’s River Of Joy tapped the first and second fences, but thereafter jumped well to finish on his dressage score. This win makes Michael the new German national champion.

Sweden’s Sara Algotsson-Ostholt elevated herself to second with a clear round on the grey mare Wega, while her husband Frank Ostholt had two down on Little Paint to fall three places to fifth.

Fellow Swede Niklas Lindback must have also secured his Olympic ticket with a clear on Mister Pooh for fourth place.

Ingrid Klimke took third on the inexperienced 12-year-old Tabasco 70, but suffered the disappointment of three down to drop to ninth on her London hope FRH Butts Abraxxas.

After Luhm ¼hlen, the Germans will announce a shortlist of riders in contention for the Olympics, who will compete in Aachen (3-8 July), while Sweden is expected to name its team next week.

The CCI**** showjumping starts at 2pm (local time).

CIC*** FINAL RESULTS

1st Michael Jung on Weidezaunprofi’s River Of Joy (GER) 27.8

2nd Sara Algotsson-Ostholt on Wega (SWE) 35.6

3rd Ingrid Klimke on Tabasco 70 (GER) 36.2

4th Niklas Lindback on Mister Pooh (SWE) 42.4

5th Frank Ostholt on Little Paint (GER) 42.8

6th Dirk Schrade on King Artus (GER) 43

Luhm ¼hlen website

Log back on later for a final update on the CCI****. Full report on Luhm ¼hlen in H&H next Thursday (21 June).

British team in silver position at European Eventing Championships

Horse & Hound — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:25:24 +0000

The British squad made an excellent start at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in Fontainebleau, France, today.

After the first day of dressage, the British team lies in silver medal position behind Germany, with William Fox-Pitt (pictured) third individually. German team member Frank Ostholt and individual Dirk Schrade hold the top two placings as the only riders to break the 40 barrier.

“We came here fully expecting to surrender the dressage to the Germans, and to be so close behind Frank is very exciting,” said William, who scored 41.5 on the chestnut Badminton runner-up Idalgo, a horse making his championship debut.

“He’s always had huge potential, but he’s also got a huge sense of humour and not a great work ethic — but so did Tamarillo. He’s very mentally active and like a troublesome child, but he couldn’t have gone much better today.”

German team member Frank Ostholt was also delighted with the experienced 14-year-old Air Jordan 2 (pictured left): “He arrived a little stiff from the 9hr journey, so we’ve been working on gymnastics and transitions to get him looser. He knows the basics so well we can work on the small details and he’s like red wine — as he gets older, he gets better.”

The judges suddenly seemed to find the 8 and 9 buttons this afternoon with Frank and William’s tests. German pathfinder Michael Jung was disappointed to score only 45 this morning with his Luhmühlen winner La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, while the first British team member, Nicola Wilson, had also hoped for a better mark than her 56.7 with Opposition Buzz (20th equal overnight).

“He’s not the easiest on the flat, but I’m really pleased with him, though I’d have loved to be in the 40s,” she said.

British individual Lucy Wiegersma and Woodfalls Inigo Jones equalled Michael Jung’s score this afternoon to tie for fourth overnight. Their test was only marred by a bounce through the first flying change.

“That was a shame as he’s actually got very good changes, but he finds them harder on the turn than the straight,” explained Lucy. “He’s a relatively young, inexperienced horse, being only 10, and he did some lovely work, despite getting a bit tense as he went in.”

Several riders said that first impressions of Pierre Michelet’s cross-country course suggest that this competition will not be settled in the dressage.

“It’s twisty, the time will be difficult to get, and although it’s not dimensionally massive, it is technical,” said Lucy Wiegersma. “Even the straightforward fences ask a question by being on a turn or downhill.”

The organisers are watering parts of the track, which runs on sandy paths through woods and over grassed areas which are quite firm.

“I worry the tracks will get deep and you don’t want to be making up time on the turns — it would be easy to have a silly fall on the flat and get eliminated,” said William Fox-Pitt.

RESULTS AFTER FIRST DAY OF DRESSAGE

1. Frank Ostholt on Air Jordan 2 (GER) 39.2

2. Dirk Schrade on Gadget De La Cere (GER) 39.6

3. William Fox-Pitt on Idalgo (GB) 41.5

4eq. Michael Jung on La Biosthetique-Sam FBW (GER) 45

4eq. Lucy Wiegersma on Woodfalls Inigo Jones (GB) 45

6. Eric Vigeanel on Coronado Prior (FRA) 46.7

TEAM SCORES AFTER TWO TEAM MEMBERS

1. Germany 84.2

2. Britain 98.2

3. France 101.3

4. Belgium 105.9

5. Italy 115.4

6. The Netherlands 117

Pictures of cross-country course

Full individual results

Official website

Read daily reports from the Europeans at www.horseandhound.co.uk/eventingeuros2009 and don’t miss H&H on 1 October for our full eight-page special report.

Frank Ostholt in top spot after Luhmühlen CCI**** dressage

Pippa Roome — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:51:25 +0000

Germany’s Frank Ostholt (pictured) leads after the dressage in the four-star at Luhmühlen, Germany, on his 2006 winner Air Jordan 2.

The Olympic team gold medallist scored 33.5 to lie 1.5 penalties ahead of his compatriot Simone Deitermann.

Bouts of sunshine at the north Germany venue today were interspersed with violent rain and hailstorms, which inevitably took some toll on the ground in the main arena.

“That was one of his best tests,” said Frank. “The ground was deep and muddy so it’s difficult for the horses to stay balanced and in rhythm, but he’s so cool.”

Frank said it worked to his advantage that this was the first time the 14-year-old Air Jordan 2 has performed the new FEI four-star dressage test in competition.

“He knows everything, nearly too well. I rode this test once at home and this is only the second time he’s been through it, so he was a bit surprised, which was actually good.”

Marbach World Cup qualifier winner Simone said she thought Flambeau H 3 had done a better test here last year, when he was also second after dressage, but she was still pleased.

“The atmosphere here is perfect — he likes that,” she said.

Three riders are equal third on 41.3 — Australia’s Andrew Hoy — who is now based in Germany along with his German wife Bettina — on Grand Joca; Italy’s Susanna Bordone on Carrera and Britain’s Emily Baldwin on Drivetime.

British team manager Yogi Breisner said of Emily’s test: “I thought personally it was a slightly better test than she did at Badminton, which was already very good. This was more solid throughout and the horse was up to a nice outline.”

Tina Cook is next best of the Brits in eighth on her Olympic double bronze medallist Miners Frolic.

The general consensus is that this year’s cross-country track is one of the most difficult Mark Phillips has produced on this site.

“It’s very grown-up and mentally challenging,” said Tina Cook. “It’s not going to be a dressage competition.”

Britain’s Ruth Edge leads the CIC*** after dressage with PC Wilson. The competitors in this class go across country tomorrow morning, with the four-star contestants following in the afternoon.

CCI**** RESULTS AFTER DRESSAGE

1. Frank Ostholt on Air Jordan 2 (GER) 33.5

2. Simone Deitermann on Flambeau H 3 (GER) 35

Eq. 3. Andrew Hoy on Grand Joca (AUS) 41.3

Eq. 3. Emily Baldwin on Drivetime (GB) 41.3

Eq. 3. Susanna Bordone on Carrera (ITA) 41.3

6. Dirk Schrade on Gadget De La Cere AA (GER) 41.7

Don’t forget to buy Horse & Hound next Thursday (18 June) for a full report from Luhmühlen and Tina Cook’s comment.

Frank Ostholt wins Aachen CIC*** for second year running

Pippa Roome — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:29:01 +0000

Frank Ostholt led the German eventing team to victory in the CIC*** at Aachen, Germany, this morning.

Frank put in the only cross-country round inside the 7min optimum time to take top spot on his individual ride Air Jordan 2, who also won here last year, and finished third on Mr Medicott, his mount for Hong Kong who was in the German team here.

“They are two different types, but both super horses,” he said afterwards. “I am lucky to have them to ride.”

The Netherlands’ Tim Lips, 22, was the surprise star of the weekend, moving up from sixth after dressage to take second spot. He was in pole position going into the cross-country after a clear show jumping round on Blom’s Oncarlos, but chose to play safe at the difficult combination of angled hedges at fence 17, losing a little time in the process.

The Swedish team — spearheaded by sixth-placed Magnus Gallerdal (Keymaster 3) — finished second, with the young British team third after a mixed weekend.

Nicola Wilson was seventh and best Brit after a brilliant cross-country round on Opposition Buzz which was just one second over the optimum time. She also show jumped clear yesterday evening, but the show jumping proved the downfall of her fellow team members Heidi Woodhead (The Biz) and Georgie Davies (Fachoudette), who had both had several fences down and time-faults. Fachoudette was subsequently withdrawn.

British individual rider Rosie Thomas also had a turbulent time in the show jumping arena, but went well across country, as did Heidi and Emily Baldwin, who was second best Brit, finishing 14th with Drivetime.

“I was a bit disappointed yesterday [with the show jumping],” admitted chef d’equipe Kenneth Clawson. “But I was proud of them today, they all rode well across country.”

Don’t forget to buy Horse & Hound this Thursday (10 July) for a full report from Aachen, with colour photographs.

FINAL RESULTS

INDIVIDUAL

1. Air Jordan 2 (Frank Ostholt, GER) 50.2

2. Blom’s Oncarlos (Tim Lips, NED) 51.7

3. Mr Medicott (Frank Ostholt, GER) 54.1

4. Euroridings Butts Leon (Andreas Dibowski, GER) 54.7

5. Marius Voigt-Logistik (Hinrich Romeike, GER) 56.7

6. Keymaster 3 (Magnus Gallerdal, SWE) 57.2

BRITISH PLACINGS

7. Opposition Buzz (Nicola Wilson, GB) 58

14. Drivetime (Emily Baldwin, GB) 70.8

21. The Biz (Heidi Woodhead, GB) 86.6

25. Barry’s Best (Rosie Thomas, GB) 96.2

Withdrawn before cross-country: Fachoudette (Georgie Davies, GB)

TEAM

1. Germany (F Ostholt, H Romeike, I Klimke, B Hoy) 188.4

2. Sweden (M Gallerdal, K Norling, V Carlerback, L Algotsson) 192.5

3. Britain (N Wilson, E Baldwin, H Woodhead, G Davies) 215.4

4. Belgium (K Donckers, S van Hasselt, J van Springel) 275.2

5. Italy (J Carlos Gracia, F Magni, S Bordone, M Speranza Gardini) 375.2

6. France (L Guyon, A Kahn, N Touzaint, A Boiteau) 1,160

Aachen website