Pem Verbeek Loses Small Tour Hopeful Escadeur

Dressage

The Netherlands

Former Dutch junior rider team member Pem Verbeek unexpectedly had to say goodbye to her small tour hopeful Escadeur.

Escadeur was a 12-year old Rhinelander gelding by Escolar out of Sadira (by Show Star x Florestan). He was bred by Bo Wargh.

Pem Verbeek

The 23-year old Verbeek is from Waalre, The Netherlands, and made her international show debut on my Matcho D van Prinsnhof's in 2017. With Fernando Torres (by Florencio x Sandro Song) she became member of the Dutch team at the 2019 and 2021 European Junior Riders Championships, where she won double team silver. Individually she was 10th and 15th in the freestyle. The 2021 Europeans was her last international on Fernando Torres

In 2022 she did one CDI at young riders level with Giovanni de la Fazenda (by Don Schufro x Sandro Hit). Verbeek disappeared from the international show scene. She continued riding at national level while studying real estate at Tio Business School in Eindhoven. She now works as a manager of social media accounts.

Escadeur

Breeder Bo Wargh presented Escadeur as a a 2.5 year old at the 2016 ZfdP winter stallion licensing in Kreuth but he was not accepted.

Verbeek partnered with Escadeur in 2020 but the bay gelding proved not the easiest ride.

"A year and a half ago I took a different direction with him together with John (Tyssen, her trainer)," said Verbeek. "Step by step I saw Esca change. He got stronger, happier, and relaxter (at least a little bit) and much more positive. We had finally reached a point where every ride was a dream—everyone enjoys watching you. But I’m sure no one enjoyed watching you more than I did. I was so looking forward to finally being able to show what we’d worked so hard for together."

In November 2025 Verbeek debuted him at ZZ-licht level in The Netherlands.

Colic

In the morning of 23 August, Escadeur coliced. He was transported to the equine clinic for immediately medical care.

"Once we arrived at the clinic, it quickly became clear that he was in much worse shape than he let on," said Pem. "Typically him. Always strong. Always pushing through. Always fighting. The initial estimate of a 50% chance of surviving surgery soon became increasingly uncertain. And then we had to make the decision I never thought I’d have to make."

Escadeur had to be put to sleep. "It feels so unfair. Especially now," Pem stated. "Just when he was finally feeling so good about himself. Just when we were finally ready for the next chapter. After everything we’ve overcome together, the best part of our story should really just be beginning."

Verbeek is also owned of a Z2-level horse Obvious Pleasure (by It's a Pleasure x Goodtimes).