Rhodium Passed Away

Wed, 02/13/2019 - 11:13
KWPN
Hans Peter Minderhoud and Rhodium being presented at the 2003 KWPN Stallion Licensing :: Photo © Dirk Caremans

The KWPN licensed stallion Rhodium passed away in Sweden on Monday morning 11 February 2019. He was 21 years old.

Rhodium was by Ferro out of Larcona (by G Ramiro Z) and bred by J. Klompers in The Netherlands.

The black stallion began his competition career under Hans Peter Minderhoud. They finished 6th at the 2005 World Young Horse Championships in Verden and won the 2005 KWPN Stallion Competition. Diederik van Silfhout then briefly rode him at small tour level.

In 2013 he was leased to Dutch junior Rachell Fokker but after one year the stallion was leased by Ben Wentink in Scotland. Initially the lease was for one year but the stallion ended up staying in Scotland for four years. He returned to Holland in January 2018 and sold to Marcel van Bruggen. 

In December 2018 Rhodium moved to Anita Rostner's Myrsjo Gard in Sweden.  Last Monday Rhodium was enjoying his day in the field and died suddenly. The cause of death is not yet known, but a necropsy is being carried out.

"Life is sometimes unfair. We're devastated," said Rostner. 

Rhodium sired more than 1000 KWPN offspring, but produced only two licensed sons: Washington (by Rhodium x Jetset D) and Laura Tomlinson's Capri Sonne Jr (by Rhodium x San Remo).

Other international FEI level competing offspring are Cupido (Robin van Lierop), Whitman (Lauren Sammis/Sahar Hirosh), Wyvern (Anna Ross), Ambassador (Remy Bastings), and Azzurro (Daniele van Mierlo).

Photo © Dirk Caremans

Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Rhodium
Rhodium Returns to Holland
Rhodium Moves to Scotland
Dutch Junior Rachell Fokker to Compete Rhodium
Sandreo, Scandic and Rhodium Win 2005 KWPN/KNHS Stallion Competition Finals