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That Special Bond – with Gerco Schröder

Wednesday, 14 February 2018
That Special Bond

Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson. Both special, and a money (and medal) maker: Glock's London with Gerco Schröder in the saddle. Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.

In World of Showjumping’s series ‘That Special Bond’ we talk with some of the top names of the sport, to discuss the horses that have shaped their careers, fulfilled their dreams – and sometimes even broke their hearts.

This time around we speak with Gerco Schröder, and it comes as no surprise that the Dutch rider’s special one shares his name with the British capital where he ended up winning two Olympic medals in 2012.

 

The Special One

 “I have been very lucky as I have had so many good horses throughout my career, so to pick one is difficult.

But, if I have to choose I would have to say Glock’s London. We bought him when he was a five-year-old, and from there we build him up ourselves. His birth name was Carembar de Muze and as a joke we named him London – which is quite funny considering he in the end went to the Olympic Games in London where he won team and individual silver.

As a young horse London was very careful, he had a bit his own technique when jumping but he gave a really special feeling. He was always a fighter, already back then. Step by step we went up the ranks with him, and that it in the end worked out so well is a really nice feeling.

At one point, I almost lost London though – back in 2014 during the Eurocommerce-auction. But then the Glock-family stepped in and bought him so I could keep on riding him. That probably makes our history together even more special, and I am so grateful he is still with me.

London is a really strong horse, and although he has been a bit unlucky over the last years with a few small things keeping him out of competition he now feels very good and fit – even at the age of 16. London has done so many great things for me, including winning team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Caen in 2014. He is surely something special for me.”

 

The Money Maker

“London is probably also my biggest money maker. He has won some real big Grand Prix classes, like the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Vienna in 2013 as well as the Grand Prix in Doha that same year. In 2012, he won the Grand Prix in Cannes and in 2011 in Rio.

But, I have to mention Berlin, Geneve, Milano and Monaco too – all special horses that won a lot for me during my career. Berlin won the team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006 as well as the team gold at the Europeans in Mannheim in 2007, in addition to so many other big things such as the Grand Prix of La Coruna and Verona. Geneve won double gold at the European Championships for young riders in 1999 and I also jumped my first World Cup Final with him, while Milano and Monaco were real money makers too in their time.”

Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson. The One That Got Away: Eurocommerce California. Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.

The One That Got Away

“One horse that got away was California. That was a really good horse, and then she did a few five-star Grand Prix classes very good and was sold to the Qatar team. California was a really amazing horse, a special one in my opinion. But. I can’t really complain about “losing” her – in all my career I had owners that kept the horses for me, so I have been very, very lucky! I am very grateful towards all of them for everything they have done for me.”

 


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