Jérôme Guery’s former top horse Papillon Z (Perhaps v Berkenbroeck x San Patrignano Cassini) has passed away at the age of 23, the Belgian rider has announced on social media. 

Papillon Z retired from top-level sport in 2018, after a long and successful career. With Guery in the saddle, Papillon Z won the CSI5* Grand Prix of Lummen and Knokke back in 2015, as well as the CSI4* Grand Prix of Mons that same year. The two also took numerous other wins together, such as in Chantilly, Geneva and Maastricht. Before Guery took over the ride on Papillon, he had a successful career under both Gregory Wathelet and Rik Hemeryck. In his later years, Papillon Z competed with Guery’s son Mathieu.

Announcing the sad news about Papillon’s passing on social media, Guery wrote:

“It is with great emotion that I announce that our Papillon has gone to join the stars… Our Grandpa was a wonderful horse: So generous, endearing, he left no one indifferent. He was a very special horse, who changed my life! I won my first 5* GPs with him. He qualified for the Rio Olympic Games. It was with him that I discovered the very highest level of riding, that I travelled with to the four corners of the globe. He allowed me to become one of the best riders in the world.

He also allowed Mathieu to make his debut on horseback and instilled in him a passion for competitions…

Thank you, Grandpa, for everything you gave us. Thank you for all the moments of joy and happiness we experienced thanks to you… I would also like to thank his owners, the Woitrin family, for their trust and for entrusting us with this extraordinary horse. Thank you to everyone who took care of him and made it possible for us to experience all these magical moments. And thank you all for your messages, your support, and the affection you showed him over the years…

You will remain forever in our hearts. We love you, Papillon…”

At World of Showjumping, our thoughts are with the Guery-family and all those close to Papillon Z.