Belgian Grand Prix rider Nico Nyssen said goodbye to his career-starting Grand Prix horse, Sauvage. The Dutch warmblood took Nyssen to his first international shows.
Sauvage was a 27-year old KWPN gelding by Havidoff out of Ladiesar (by Darwin x ). He was bred by the Brothers van Meer.
From L-Level to Grand Prix
The bay gelding was first competed by Nico in 2009 in Moorsele at L-level. In 2012 the pair did one show at junior level and by 2015 they stepped up to Young Riders level with modest scores.
In 2016 the duo rode their first national Under 25 Grand Prix test in Massenhoven and gained mileage at numerous national shows through 2018. They won bronze at the 2018 Belgian Under 25 Championships.
Nyssen's international show debut came in September 2018 at the CDI Waregem where they were second in the two Under 25 tests. They rode one more international at the CDI Riesenbeck in June 2019, which turned out to be their last show.
Retirement
Sauvage was retired from sport and Nico went on to have his break-through aboard Farrington, whom Nico rode at the 2022 European Under 25 Championships in Pilisjaszfalu (9th in the Kur to Music). The chestnut sold to Semmieke Rothenberger shortly afterwards.
Nico has now established himself mainly as a horse dealer and trainer. He reported Sauvage's passing this week.
"With a broken heart I have to share that Sauvage has passed away," said Nyssen. "He was so much more than a horse to me. Sauvage, thank you for showing me what can be achieved through the bond between a rider and a horse. Whn that connection is truly there, nothing feels impossible. Keep believing in your horse, even when things don't go as planned. Work on yourself and learn from your mistakes, because we all make them. That's what you taught me."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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