Belgian rider Jos Verlooy has today announced the retirement of his success horse Domino (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve x Azur de Paulstra). At the age of 15, the gelding will now get to enjoy the fields. 

Domino was Verlooy's breakthrough horse at five-star level, and together they won the CSI5* Longines Grand Prix of Los Angeles back in 2014. The two competed at the European Championships in Herning in 2013 as well as in Aachen in 2015. They were also a part of the Belgian team at the World Equestrian Games in Caen in 2014, and have two World Cup Finals under their belt – finishing 5th in Las Vegas in 2015. 

In the autumn of 2015, Domino was sold and USA's Audrey Coulter took over the reins before Verlooy went back in the saddle of the gelding in the spring of 2017. 

On his Facebook page, Verlooy writes:

"Domino, Now the time has come for you to start your retirement. I think back to all the fantastic years we spent together, the amazing career we built as a team and all the unforgettable memories we created over all this time.

With your endless talent you gave me the confidence and ambition to reach to the top... I can never thank you enough for everything you taught me, in the sport and as a horseman.

Our journey started when I was only 14 and you 7... We grew up fast together, taking me from winning the Belgian Junior championship in 2012 to being part of the Belgian Team at the European Championships in Herning in 2013, the World Equestrian Games Caen in 2014 and the European Championship Aachen in 2015. We finished 5th in the World Cup final in Las Vegas, won the Los Angeles Grand Prix Masters and the Nations Cup in Aachen and St Gallen and many more. 

You always gave your very best, and later to your new owner Audrey Coulter and Copernicus stables, and for that we will always love you, as will your grooms and everyone who had the privilege to work with you.

We will forever be grateful to your breeders Jef and Nick Adriaensen who brought you to us.

I hope you can spend many happy years playing with your friends in the field, and I will always cherish our amazing adventures!"

Text and photo © World of Showjumping