Abdelkebir Ouaddar has announced that his super-star Quickly de Kreisker (Diamant de Semilly x Laudanum xx – breeder Guillaume Ansquer) retires from the sport, at the age of 16. For years, the pair has been one of the most loved on the international showjumping circuit and has built up a huge fan base all over the world. 

Together, Ouaddar and Quickly de Kreisker jumped at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen and the 2014 Longines FEI World Cup Final in Lyon – flying the flag for Morocco. 

The pair also won the CSI5* Hermès Grand Prix in Paris in 2016, the CSI3* World Cup in Al Ain in 2015, and the previous year the CSIO5* Grand Prix in Al Ain, the CSI4* Grand Prix in Le Touquet, the CSI4* Grand Prix in Fontainebleau, the CSI3* World Cup in Sharjah and the CSI3* Grand Prix in Macon Laize. In 2013, the pair also won the CSI3* Grand Prix in Tetouan, the CSI3* World Cup in Rabat, the CSI3* Grand Prix in Vichy and the CSI3* Grand Prix in Vejer de la Frontera. Together, they also had numerous other big victories and podium finishes. Before Ouaddar took over the reins, Quickly de Kreisker jumped internationally with French rider Benjamin Robert.

On his Instagram profile, Ouaddar writes: “I cannot thank you for all that you have given me to experience, all that we have won and all of the people that you have marked for life. I wish you the most magnificent of lives, you will be greatly missed at the stables but you will remain in our hearts. Take advantage of the paddocks and I will visit you as often as possible. Thank you to HM King Mohammed VI may God glorify him, for bringing you to the stables and for allowing us to jump to the 4 corners of the world. Thank you to all the people who crossed our path. I love you Quickly.”

At World of Showjumping, we wish Quickly de Kreisker the happiest retirement!