Very sadly, the 10-year-old KWPN stallion Firkov du Rouet (Baloubet du Rouet x Voltaire) had to be put to sleep this weekend after an accident at Riesenbeck International in Germany. Firkov du Rouet – a former mount of Eric Lamaze – competed in Saturday’s 1.45m class with his rider Annelies Vorsselmans, when the pair had a fall. According to a statement from the organisers, Firkov du Rouet suffered a fracture that could not be operated and had to be put to sleep in the clinic where he had been taken. Luckily, Vorsselmans escaped without serious injuries and could leave the hospital with bruised nerves in the shoulder blade. 

Firkov du Rouet was brought up to 1.50m level by Max Routledge, before Eric Lamaze took over the reins in the autumn of 2018. At the end of 2019, Jeroen Dubbeldam began competing the stallion before his partner Annelies Vorsselman became the new rider at the beginning of the year. 

Our thoughts go out to all those close to Firkov du Rouet.