‘Some goodbyes are harder than others’: medal-winning horse sold

Jur Vrieling and Long John Silver 3, pictured during the Rolex Grand Prix in Rome in May 2023.

(Image credit: Corbis via Getty Images)

Medal-winning Dutch team horse Long John Silver 3 has been sold to Switzerland, as part of a flurry of recent top horse moves.

Jur Vrieling and the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding helped their country to team silver at the 2022 World Championships and were also part of the Dutch side at that year’s Nations Cup final, and the 2023 European Championships.

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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.

‘Some goodbyes are harder than others’: medal-winning horse sold after Olympic contract not renewed

The horse previously had NOP (Dutch Olympic Horse) status, which is a way in which the Netherlands helps secure horses for teams. But the contract only ran until this year’s European Championships.

A statement from the Dutch federation (KNHS) said that the sale is “a loss first and foremost” for Jur, “but also for the Dutch team […] which has gratefully made use of the qualities of the powerful Holsteiner and his experienced rider in recent years”.

“Although the KNHS has done everything possible to extend the NOP status for this top horse, the owner decided differently,” said the KNHS statement.

“A decision that is unfortunate, but that we can only respect, and we must not forget that the owner made this great horse available to Vrieling and subsequently also to the Dutch team. A big thank you is due for this.”

Jur added that the horse has “been one of the best partners and friend I’ve had”.

“Thank you for the great results over this years together and all the good things you’ve done for me, my team and the Dutch team,” he said.

“Some goodbyes are harder than others but I’m sure you will make your new rider as happy as you did all of us. Happy you will go to a really nice home with even nicer people.”

Irish eventer Padraig McCarthy’s consistent five-star campaigner HHS Noble Call is on the market as an Olympic prospect, as is British-based Zimbabwean event rider Julia Norman’s top-level ride Ardeo Berlin.

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