Kigali Passed Away

Tue, 10/02/2018 - 11:40
The Netherlands
Marrigje van Baalen and Kigali in the Under 25 class that was held during the 2011 European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam :: Photo © Astrid Appels

Kigali, a former international Grand Prix ride of Marlies and Coby van Baalen, has passed away at age 26. The licensed stallion died of a heart attack.

Kigali was a 1992 born KWPN stallion by Wolfgang out of Finesse (by Voltaire x Gag xx) He was licensed with  the KWPN society in 2005.

Kigali's began his sport career in show jumping and was the World Young Horse Jumper Champion as a 5-year old under Nathalie van der Meij. In 2004 the stallion moved to Coby van Baalen's barn as a 12-year old to become Ferro's successor. 

Van Baalen's assistant trainer Wilmer Lanning began competing the stallion in dressage at Z2 level. Coby took over and showed him at small tour level, winning the 2005 CDI Zwolle, for instance. In 2006 he made the transition to Grand Prix.

Marlies van Baalen became his rider in 2007 and became members of the Dutch A-team.  The pair competed at the 2007 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas. His last international show was the CDI Hansbeke in August 2009. In 2010 Coby's niece Marrigje van Baalen started riding the then 18-year old stallion as an Under 25 schoolmaster.

Kigali retired from sport in 2013 and joined show jumping sires Lando and Tinka's Boy at the French stud Béligneux La Haras, where he passed away

Kigali has one AES-licensed offspring, Papillon.

Van Baalen described Kigali as a "beautiful and intelligent stallion. Kigali was one of the few stallions who competed at the highest level in both dressage and show jumping. His last few years Kigali had a lovely retirement in France."

Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Kigali
Kigali Retired to Stand at Stud in France
Kigali Partly Sold to Coby van Baalen
Kigali and Radar to be Competed by Wilmer Lanning