Gregory Wathelet's long-time partner Iron Man van de Padenborre (Darco x Chin Chin) has been sold to Poland, the Belgian rider confirmed to World of Showjumping. 

“It is with a sense of accomplishment but above all with a feeling of sadness that we part with our Iron Man van de Padenborre," Wathelet wrote on his official Instagram account. "After 8 years in our stables, you will obviously leave a great void. You have given us great moments of sport, punctuated by a remarkable year 2022 and even more recently by this magnificent victory in the final in Barcelona with the team. You will leave traces in our stable with your descendants who, I hope, will follow your path. I hope you will give a lot of happiness to your new owner. Have a good trip." 

With Wathelet in the saddle, the 14-year-old Iron Man van de Padenborre was a part of the Belgian team that won the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final 2022 in Barcelona last weekend. During their years together, the pair recorded five-star victories at several venues, such as London, Paris, Rome and St. Tropez.