H&M Cabrio van de Heffinck was retired from the sport on Wednesday night in Mechelen, following a fantastic career. The 15-year-old grey stallion will now focus on his breeding duties at the famous Zangersheide stud in Belgium.
With Olivier Philippaerts in the saddle, the son of Cassini I x Calato won the prestigious CN International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows back in 2012 and the pair was also a part of the Belgian team that won the Nations Cup in Aachen in 2014. The same year Cabrio van de Heffinck jumped on the Belgian team at the World Equestrian Games in Caen.
"After nine years of partnership this goodbye is not easy, but I owe Cabrio his retirement," Olivier says. "I just felt like this was the right time to do it – I don't want to keep going with him until there is nothing left of him. Now he is still in good health."
Olivier practically grew up with Cabrio, stepping up to the highest level of the sport with the stallion. "I have a lot to thank him for, and I admit that I will miss him. My best memory with Cabrio is of course our victory at Spruce Meadows, but there are so many wonderful moments we had together."
Apart from the success, it was Cabrio's mentality that meant the most to Olivier. "His greatest quality was his attitude", Olivier continues. "He would always do his best. We both started off with no experience and at the beginning of our international careers. He felt comfortable with the fact that I had much to learn, and always did his best for me. A better guide for my career, I could not imagine. We will no longer compete together, but he will come home often. Most of the year he will spend at Zangersheide. I am happy that he has found a good home," Olivier says.
Text © World of Showjumping