Text © World of Showjumping

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli’s 11-year-old gelding Harwich VDL (Arezzo VDL x Darco) has been sold, and will in the future be seen with Norway’s Geir Gulliksen in the saddle. Last summer, Zanotelli and Harwich VDL placed third in the CSIO5* 1.60m Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead, while at the beginning of April this year, the pair won the CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix in Arezzo after placing third in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix at the same venue the week prior. 

Before Modolo Zanotelli took over the reins at the end of 2021, Harwich VDL was developed by James Billington at the VDL Stud. Billington competed the gelding up to 1.45m level.

“I am very happy that he is going to such a good home; to the Gulliksen-family,” Marlon Modolo Zanotelli commented to World of Showjumping. “Harwich has been an amazing horse for me; one more horse that has been produced together with the VDL Stud, I got him after he was developed there by James Billington. The plan was all along to sell him at some point, and I would like to thank VDL for their trust in me. I am thankful for the time I’ve had with Harwich. He is such a fantastic horse; his mentality is amazing – very much like Arezzo VDL. I believe he is going to have a great opportunity to continue in the high-level sport with the Gulliksen-family.” 

“I’m very lucky to have owners who have acquired Harwich for me to ride,” Geir Gulliksen said to World of Showjumping. “It’s a horse that has been very consistent, and that has had really good results over the last year – I’m sure he will be a great addition to my string. The goal with him this year will be the European Championships, that’s what I will be aiming him at.”