Dutch Grand Prix rider Melanie Mouthaan has lost her Grand Prix horse Varnoldi. He had to be euthanized on 1 January 2020 due to an injury.
Mouthaan had to say goodbye to her two Grand Prix horses in a short period of time. In October she lost her Friesian Wilke C van de Wijdewormer just weeks after retiring him from sport and now she had to part with Varnoldi.
Varnoldi was an 18-year old Dutch warmblood by Stravinsky xx out of Cora (by Variant). He was bred by N. Smulders.
Mouthaan acquired the dark bay gelding in 2012 and competed him at international young riders level in 2012 and at senior small tour level in 2013. In 2014 they did no internationals but returned in 2015 at the CDI Rossendaal. In 2016 they made the transition to Under 25 Grand Prix level and competed in Lier and Roosendaal. The 2016 CDI Roosendaal was their last international. They continued to show lightly at national level.
Varnoldi was recovering from an injury and on the right way. Unfortunately on 1 January 2020 his condition took a turn for the worse.
"He couldn't get up by himself. We really tried everything to help him up, literally everything," said a saddened Mouthaan took to Facebook. "He tried so hard and let us help him, but then he also sustained an acute injury right then and there which made it impossible for him to get up. We were forced to put him out of his misery."
She continued: "he was the sweetest horse that I have known. I have had the pleasure of experiencing so many nice things with him and he was always there. He didn't deserve this. I'll miss my buddy greatly."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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