George Williams' Rocher Passed Away

Dressage

U.S.A.

George Williams' career making international Grand Prix horse Rocher has passed away on 5 December 2018 at age 27. She spent the past nine years in retirement with her owners, Joann and Chuck Smith of Gypsy Woods farm in Ohio.

Bred by Friedrich Vekens in Germany, the Westfalian branded Rocher was by Rolls Royce out of Fränzi (by Fruhlingsstern).

Rocher was initially trained and competed by Nadine Maiwurm up to Grand Prix level, before she moved to the United States in 2000. George Williams took on the ride for the Smith couple after he had left Temple Farms.

The black mare with floppy ears never competed at a major continental Championship, but was still one of America's most successful Grand Prix horses in the early nillies. She became known as "The Diva of Devon" being the sole horse to win the Devon Grand Prix and Freestyle three times (2002, 2003 and 2005).

Rocher's career highlight with a 5th place finish in the 2003 World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden. In the same year she was named U.S. Dressage Federation Grand Prix Horse and Grand Prix Freestyle Horse of the Year as well as Chronicle of the Horse Dressage Horse of the Year.

"Although Rocher’s resume is impressive, her true legacy will always be how she made you feel when you watched her. Making you feel a little lighter on your feet, in your heart and with the feeling that you too could dance," said Joann Smith in a press release.

Williams and Rocher last competed together in 2009. The mare, who was known for her floppy ears and trot extensions, was retired from competition sport at age 18.

Rocher was also the dam to a now 7-year old embryotransfer mare Gardez La Foi (by Rousseau), which recently sold to a forever home. At age 22 Rocher had an official retirement ceremony at the 2013 Dressage At Devon.

To Eurodressage, Smith state that "Rocher has enjoyed a joyous retirement. I rode her for about five years learning the Grand Prix. We trained with Linda Zang and Michael Barisone and had a blast. Rocher enjoyed her rides. She went out every day next to Marnix. A few friends tack walked her which she also relished."

"She was 27. We knew it was time to let her go peacefully," said Joann.