Anders Dahl's former international Grand Prix horse Afrikka has passed away on Tuesday 13 June 2017 after suffering from a severe bout of colic. The gelding was 27 years old.
Dahl's wife Fiona Bigwood acquired the Danish bred Oldenburg gelding (by ?) as a 3-year old.
In 1996 Fiona took the British National Elementary title with Afrikka and she brought him up the levels herself with the help of trainer Dieter Laugks. In 2002 and 2003, Fiona competed Afrikka at international Grand Prix level. Anders Dahl took over the ride and started competing him internationally as of 2006
The highlight of Afrikka's competition career was in 2007. Dahl and Afrikka were Denmark's most successful Grand Prix combination at the time and finished in the top ten at the 2008 World Cup Finals in 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. They placed fourth at the 2008 Danish Dressage Championships. Dahl had hoped to ride the Olympic Games as his final show, but was selected as non traveling reserve.
Afrikka was retired from competition in August 2008 after doing his last CDI in Strassen, Luxembourg, the month before.
We are devastated today as we very sadly lost Afrikka," said owner Fiona Bigwood. "He was one in a million who we bought for £3000, half an hour down the road from our house. Afrikka was so special and was still being ridden by my mum and looked amazing. He was a large part of our lives and despite desperately trying to save him, we sadly had to let him go, to fly free in heaven."
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Afrikka
Bigwood and Dahl's Afrikka Retired
Anders Dahl and Afrikka Riding High at the 2007 World Cup Qualifiers
Danish Olympic Dressage Team Announced