The recently retired French Grand Prix horse Helio II passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday 12 June 2013. The 18-year old grey licensed PRE stallion died of a heart attack.
Owned by his breeder Dominique Rozière, Helio II (by Flamenco XII x Viva II) had only been retired from competition in November 2012.
Helio II was started as a 4-year old by French Sylvie Corellou, who trained him up to Grand Prix level. The partnership between Helio II and Corellou came to a tragic end when the rider died in a car crash in February 2010.
Helio II moved to the stables of Arnaud and Anne Sophie Serre and with Arnaud became the 2010 and 2011 French Grand Prix Champion. The pair also competed on the French team at the 2011 European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam.
"I can't begin to tell you what he meant to us," said Arnaud and Anne-Sophie Serre. "He was one of those horses that touch the heart and stirs you inside, like the essence of passion, the starting point of harmony. He made our hearts and ambitions fly."
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Arnaud Serre Retires Helio II
2012 Madrid Horse Week, a New Equestrian Event in Spain
Arnaud Serre Captures 2010 French Grand Prix Title on Corellou's Helio II