Very sadly, Cicero Z van Paemel (Carthago Z x Randel Z, bred by R. Borloo) has passed away at the age of 26.

With Belgium’s Dirk Demeersman in the saddle, Cicero competed internationally from 2008 until 2013. While an unfortunate injury stopped the stallion’s sports career, Cicero became an influential breeding stallion, standing for stud services at Zangersheide.

Ranked 35^th in the last WBFSH Sire Ranking for 2025, Cicero’s successful offspring includes Pieter Devos’ Jarina J, Alexander McLean’s Calixte Heartbreaker Z, Kristen Vanderveen’s Bull Run’s Celestial and Elisa Broz’s Consult Picobello Z.

“Yesterday our hearts shattered when we had to make the heartbreaking decision to let you go,” Stoeterij van Paemel wrote on social media on Monday as they shared the news of the stallion’s passing. “The day we feared the most and tried to postpone as much as possible, arrived. We did everything in our power to help you, but this time nothing could. You truly left an impression everywhere you went, in and outside the ring. Your wonderful personality, amazing character and gentle nature touched everyone who knew you. Your strength, endless scope, flexibility and textbook technique left breeders in awe. An extraordinary stallion. A once in a lifetime kind of horse. We were so lucky and blessed to call you ours and the void you now leave behind is immense.”

“It was an honor for me to have him with me for almost seven years,” Dirk Demeersman shared on social media. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the owners, Luc and Karin Van Eeckhoudt, for the wonderful time we shared together. I will never forget Cice, and he lives on in his many descendants. All the best, my friend, and thanks for everything!”

At World of Showjumping, our thoughts are with the Van Eeckhoudt-family and all those close to Cicero.