Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten has announced that his top horse VDL Groep Verdi TN N.O.P. has done his last championship.

The 15-year-old stallion by Quidam de Revel x Landgraf I will now be used selectively for major competitions, after contributing to Dutch championship-success since 2011.

Maarten van der Heijden, Technical Director at the Dutch Equestrian Federation, says: "We have greatly enjoyed the years of Verdi and Maikel, and co-celebrated their contributions to many major successes. The Dutch Equestrian Federation and entire Dutch horse-world are enormously grateful to everyone who made this happen. It is a unique horse, and a unique combination."

Together, Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi TN N.O.P.  won team gold at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen and later the same year they were on the winning Dutch team at the FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. The pair also took home team gold at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen, and team silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The pair was also a part of the Dutch Olympic team in Rio, and has a total of five World Cup Finals and three European Championships on their record. 

Source: Press release from the Dutch Equestrian Federation // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson