Text © World of Showjumping

Sadly, Geir Gulliksen’s loyal partner L’Espoir (Landwind II x Feinschnitt I) has passed away at the age of 28.

With Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum, L’Espoir won team bronze and placed fifth individually at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen – before the gelding was sold and Gulliksen took over the reins.

"I still remember how Ludger called me about L'Espoir, saying he thought this horse would be a perfect match for me," Gulliksen tells World of Showjumping. "I didn't really believe Ludger, but I went to try L'Espoir – and a week later, we were placed in our first competition together. Ludger was right, and I must thank him for putting us two together."

With Gulliksen in the saddle, L’Espoir represented Norway at two European Championships – in 2007 in Mannheim and in 2011 in Madrid, as well as at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. The two recorded countless good results at five-star level and made their last international appearance together in December 2014 in London. After a long and successful career, L’Espoir was officially retired at the age of 20. As a kind gesture towards Gulliksen's long-time groom Eva Beate Terkelsen, the gelding was given to her and got to enjoy a happy retirement with her by his side.

At World of Showjumping, our thoughts are with the Gulliksen-family, Beate and all those close to L’Espoir.