Former Dutch Under 25 team rider Mercedes Verweij has sold her number one Grand Prix horse in the barn, Four Seasons.
Four Seasons is a rising 18-year old Westfalian gelding by Furst Piccolo out of Mon Amour (by Mon Cheri). He is bred by Gestut Modexer Hof.
String of German Riders
Originally owned by Monica Ackermann, the liver chestnut was first competed by Claudia Breker as a youngster in 2008 and 2009.
The horse then disappeared from the show scene to return at national Prix St Georges level in Germany in 2014 under Oliver Oelrich. He took the horse to Grand Prix level.
In 2016 Ann-Christin Wienkamp showed him once in an Inter II class in a regional show in Dorsten.
Van Silfhout
In the autumn of 2916, Four Seasons moved to The Netherlands, where Diederik van Silfhout took on the ride. He also became listed as owner of the horse in partnership with German horse dealer Silve Dietrich-Osten.
The pair made its international show debut in May 2017 and got selected on the Dutch team for the European Championships in Gothenburg, where they finished 15th in the Kur to Music.
In 2018 the duo produced consistent 70% scores and was second reserve for the Dutch WEG team.
Verweij
In September 2018, Four Seasons sold to then 20-year old Mercedes Verweij.
The pair made its international show debut at the 2019 CDI Nieuw en St. Joosland and competed at CDI's in Exloo, Waregem, and Le Mans that year. They were 7th at the 2019 Dutch Under 25 Championships.
In 2020 they started the corona year with the CDI Lier and through national selection trials made it on the Dutch team for the 2020 European Under 25 Championships in Pilisjaszfalu, where they were unfortunately eliminated from the first round, the Inter II. However as member of the Dutch team they still received the team gold medal as the drop result. The Europeans that year were also the combination's last international show.
They did not compete in CDI's in 2021 but were still named non-travelling reserve for the Dutch team for the 2021 U25 Euros in Hagen after placing fifth at the 2021 Dutch National Under 25 Championships in June.
Sold to Russia
The soon to be 18-year old Westfalian has been sold to Russia as a schoolmaster. The new owner and rider were not named.
"It wasn't an easy decision, but sometimes you have to make a choice," Verweij took to Facebook. "On a sportive level I'm taking a step backwards, but where a door closes one might open in the future. Four Seasons made my dreams come true. The icing on the cake was our team spot for the European Under 25 Championships in Pilisjaszfalu."
Verweij has eight younger horses at home that she's developing up the levels.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Four Seasons Sold to Mercedes Verweij
Four Seasons in Training with Diederik van Silfhout
Photo Report: Verweij and Maksakova Win Under 25 Classes at 2019 CDI Waregem
Dutch Team Selected for 2021 European Under 25 Championships
Dutch Teams for 2020 European Youth Championships Announced