Earlier this week, Maikel van der Vleuten announced the retirement of his top horse Verdi TN (Quidam de Revel x Landgraf I). 

Together, Maikel and the now 18-year-old stallion were part of the Dutch teams that took gold at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen and silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They were part of the Dutch teams that won gold at the 2015 European Championships in Rotterdam, and that took the victory in the 2014 Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. They jumped at five World Cup Finals, and four times they were in the top ten. The pair also has five-star Grand Prix victories from Madrid, Lyon and Al Ain to look back at as well as topping the World Cup in Verona. They also contributed to several Nations Cups wins for the Dutch team – to mention some of their countless successes. 

With this photo special, full of his signature bucking, we wish Verdi the happiest retirement!

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.