‘You made me a better person’: horse who won the 2000 Olympics dies aged 33

Jeroen Dubbeldam and De Sjiem competing at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney — KEWM0B Olympic Games, Sydney 2000, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Netherlands, riding De Sjiem to the gold medal, Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED) riding De Sjiem

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Dutch showjumper Jeroen Dubbeldam has said a sad farewell to De Sjiem, the horse he rode to win the individual gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“With a heavy heart we say goodbye to De Sjiem,” said Jeroen on social media.

At the 2000 Olympics, three riders tied on four faults after the final two rounds so all three had to jump off for the medals. Jeroen and De Sjiem were crowned the Olympic champions as the only combination to jump clear, beating their faster rivals who each had a fence down. This was the Netherlands’ first gold medal in the sport. Silver went to Jeroen’s countryman Albert Voorn (Lando) and finishing with the bronze was Khaled Al Eid of Saudi Arabia.

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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.

‘You made me a better person’: horse who won the 2000 Olympics dies aged 33

The beautiful grey KWPN gelding with Nimmerdor bloodlines had reached the tremendous age of 33, having spent his retirement at the Dutch rider’s stables, named Stal De Sjiem in his honour.

He described De Sjiem as “a friend, a teacher and a companion; you made me better, as a rider and a person. You have been part of all the success stories, even long after your retirement. Thank you for teaching me, thank you for everything”.

As well as being crowned Olympic champions, Jeroen and De Sjiem competed at two European Championships and two World Championships and won the Aachen grand prix in 2001.

Jeroen also said a big thank you to “all the people involved in De Sjiem’s career, and all the people behind the scenes taking the best care of him over the years, in particular Tonnie and Femke giving him the best retirement possible.”

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