The 2012 World Cup Champion Flexible has passed away, at the age of 25.

Flexible, a stallion by Cruising x Safari, took the biggest win of his career as a 16-year-old when he went to the top in the World Cup Final in Den Bosch, the Netherlands, with USA’s Rich Fellers in the saddle. That same year Flexible and Fellers were on the American team at the Olympic Games in London, finishing 8th individually. Flexible was Vice-Champion at the 2008 World Cup Final in Gothenburg, and in 2015 he finished 7th in the World Cup Final in Las Vegas. In 2016, at the age of 20, he again competed at the World Cup Final – his 8th. Flexible has a long list of World Cup and Grand Prix victories attached to his name, and was retired in 2017 after a long and successful career with Fellers.

On Flexible’s Facebook page, the following update was posted yesterday: 

“Flexible 1996-8/23/2021

We are saddened to announce the passing of the legend Flexible. He died yesterday peacefully of natural causes in his sunny paddock. He was 25 and still in work, occasionally jumping which he loved. He was a once in a lifetime horse who taught us all so many life lessons and brought so much joy to our family and everyone around him. Will forever miss you and carry you in our hearts sweet boy. RIP. 

Love, 
Rich, Shelley, Chris and Savannah”

Our thoughts go out to all those close to Flexible.