At the age of 28, the legendary Baloubet du Rouet (Galoubet A x Starter) has passed away.

Together with Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa, the stallion has made his way into the history books as one of the most successful horses of all times. The pair was crowned Olympic Champions in Athens in 2004, as well as going to the top of the World Cup Final three times – in 1998, 1999 and in 2000. The two also won team bronze at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.

Baloubet du Rouet is also known as one of the leading sires in the world, and is father to top showjumpers like VDL Bubalu, Palloubet d’Hallong, B Once Z, Number One d’Iso Un Prince, Chaman, Southwind VDL, Rahmannshof's Bogeno, Bella Baloubet as well as Balou du Rouet – the latter a very successful sire himself.

On his Instagram account, Pessoa writes: “You arrived as a wild 5 year old kid but you showed a lot of potential on the very first jump. The start was not easy but you were so intelligent that you understood everything very quickly. You grew up to become one of the greatest horses in history. Talent, beauty, energy, power, skill and elegance made you the best.”

Source: Baloubet du Rouet.com and Rodrigo Pessoa's Instagram page // Picture © Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com