The licensed Danish warmblood stallion Lillemarkens Arkibal passed away on Monday 17 January 2011 at his retirement home. The 19-year old bay stallion was humanely put down.
Lillemarkens Arkibalwas born at Villy Andreasen's yard in Denmark in 1991 and was by Racot out of Lillemarkens Annabel (by Sorel x Goldfinger x Drumhead).He was licensed and performance test with the Danish warmblood society in Vilhelmsborg in 1994. In 1995 he received the breeder's medal in bronze and was re-inspected at the licensing in Herning in 1998 where he was praised as a "harmonic stallion with light and elastic paces which he passes on to his offspring."
Arkibal's claim to international fame came in the late 1990s when he shone in the show ring first under Hannes Hoffmann and then with Kyra Kyrklund. Kyra and 'Arki' qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney but did not make the journey due to a sinus infection whilst in quarantine.
Kyra's student Emma Hindle then took over the ride on this Grand Prix horse and competed him from 2001 till 2005. He also stood at stud at Emma's Brookhouse Stud in Erbach, Germany, but later on enjoyed his retirement at the place of Emma's aunt and uncle in Great Britain.
"He was not only an amazing horse but such a source of comfort, the kindest, most loving of all the boys," Emma Hindle told Horse and Hound. "He loved his cuddles but hated other male horses. His career was blighted by injury but he was and always will remain one of the most talented and wonderful horses I ever had the pleasure to meet. He had such a wonderful retirement and was loved and cherished daily. My aunt has taken such good care of him — I am eternally grateful. Yesterday was a terribly sad day for us all."
Photo © Dirk Caremans
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Lillemarkens Arkibal
Scores 2003 Zwolle International Stallion Show
Scores: 1999 CDI Hardenberg - 2000 CDIO Aachen - 2005 CDI Stadl Paura