The previous Olympic eventer Air Jordan, who additionally received world group gold with Frank Ostholt, has died aged 29, a “fighter to the top”.
The Hanoverian gelding, who was on the German group that triumphed on the 2006 World Equestrian Video games and was referred to as JoJo, had loved an extended retirement with Frank’s buddy Mirko Handrick.
“It was very tough to let him go,” Frank stated. “I owe a lot to JoJo; with out him I’d not have develop into the rider and coach I’m at the moment.”
Air Jordan, by thoroughbred stallion Amerigo Vespucci xx, was bred by Horst Wesch, and Frank took the reins when he was six, due to house owners the Vietor household.
In 2003, they received the German nationwide title at Luhmühlen, and a yr later they had been on the Olympic group on the Athens Olympics, the place the group completed fourth. In 2005 they had been on the German group that received European bronze, and so they received the four-star (now five-star) at Luhmühlen in 2006, the yr of their world group gold.
Different notable achievements embody twice profitable at Aachen, a complete of three German nationwide titles and ending second and third at two World Cup finals. In addition they completed eleventh at Badminton in 2007.
“The final success of the 2 collectively was a second place within the indoor eventing on the German Masters in Stuttgart,” a spokesman for the German equestrian federation stated. “In recent times, the chestnut gelding, who was match for a very long time, loved his retirement with Mirko Handrick, the place he shared his each day routine, secure and pasture with championship buddy Little Paint.”
Frank added: “He was as robust as iron all through his life and a fighter to the top, he was part of my life. I really feel very fortunate to have had such a beautiful horse for such a very long time.”
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Piggy March and the opposite core riders at Windsor firstly of the ultimate day of Cycle4Caroline.
Credit score: Tilly Berendt Media
William Fox-Pitt with BLS Completely, a seven-year-old he owns who’s at present competing at intermediate degree.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
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H&H information editor
Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Enthusiastic about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping reveals by way of to worldwide championships.
