Text © World of Showjumping

Sanne Thijssen’s Con Quidam RB (Quinar Z x Cardino 5) has been retired from the sport, with a ceremony honouring the now 20-year-old stallion held after the CSI4* Grand Prix in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, last Sunday.

Sanne took over the reins on Con Quidam in 2014, and since then, the two have gone from one success to another. After representing the Netherlands at two European Championships for young riders, the pair went on to win team silver at the 2022 FEI World Championship in Herning, Denmark, as well as being part of the Dutch team that won the 2021 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain.

Their many Grand Prix successes include winning the CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard, the CSIO5* 1.60m Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam, the CSI4* 1.60m Grand Prix of Gijón, the CSI4* 1.60m Grand Prix of Dortmund, the CSI4* 1.60m Montblanc Grand Prix in Moerzeke, the CSI4* 1.55m Diputación de Cádiz Grand Prix at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour, the CSI4* 1.55m STP Riders Series Grand Prix at Sentower Park, and the CSIO3* 1.60m Badenia Grand Prix of MVV in Mannheim – to mention just some of their many victories together. In their final international outing together, Sanne and Con Quidam placed second in the CSI4* 1.55m Stephex Grand Prix in Vejer de la Frontera. 

"The fact that this chapter is coming to an end is indescribable," Sanne shared on social media. "You always fought until the end, never let me down and never disappointed me. You always gave 200%. You taught me to fight and not to give up.

Thanks to you, many people within equestrian sports know who Sanne Thijssen is. From my first medal at the youth European Championships with the Dutch team to my first 2, 3, 4, and 5-star Grand Prix victories.

The fact that at the age of 20, you still jumped six clear rounds in a 4-star Grand Prix and came very close to winning, says enough about your fighting spirit. And I am sure: if it had been up to you, this wouldn't have been the last one. To protect your golden heart, your lionheart that will always keep going in contrast to your body, we have decided that it is time. Time for your well-deserved retirement, after all your fighting years.

That fighting spirit has led us to countless victories. That adrenaline rush, you enjoyed it just as much as I did. The sympathy and respect people had for you was palpable everywhere. That is why you are getting that round of honor one more time, during the Dutch Championships in Deurne on April 26th. I hope from the bottom of my heart that it will be packed with people during your farewell. 

As I write this, tears run - from joy but also from sadness. Joy, because you truly deserve this and how beautifully we were able to conclude it. Sadness, because I will miss you at shows. Not only the performances, but your personality, everything that made you, you. When nothing seemed to be working, you were there. You gave me value, a feeling that I mattered, that there was more to achieve in life. You gave me the strength I needed to keep going, a feeling that everything will work out, something to build on – and never, ever, to give up. I am eternally grateful for the lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my life: never give up. Thank you, Connie."

At World of Showjumping, we wish Con Quidam a very happy retirement!