Gerco Schröder’s former top horse Berlin (Cassini I x Caretino) has passed away, at the age of 26. With Schröder in the saddle, Berlin won gold medals with the Dutch team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006 as well as at the European Championships in Mannheim in 2007. The impressive stallion also won major Grand Prix competitions in La Coruna and Verona, and jumped to podium finishes in Grand Prix, Nations Cups and World Cups at venues such as Aachen, Barcelona, Helsinki, La Baule and St. Gallen.

Berlin left quietly, surrounded by his caretakers at the stallion station De Radstake in The Netherlands. “You were still walking in the fields like a king, and enjoyed your well-deserved retirement on your old days. Rest in peace dear Berlin, we will miss you so much,” reads a statement on De Radstake’s Facebook page. 

Berlin’s legacy lives on through his many successful offspring. Ace, Athene, Bellefleur PS Z, Berlux Z, Berlinda, Bull Run's Faustino de Tili, Dienellie, Eclatant, H&M Extra, Ilena de Mariposa, Sweet Tricia and Zerlin are among some of his many famous daughters and sons. 

Our thoughts go out to all those close to Berlin.