The World Cup 2017 for HH AZUR GARDEN’S HORSES (E.O.)

International 03/04/2017

A dazzling victory for the 11- year-old mare, her American rider and Studbook SBS

We hoped it, we sensed it and we even expected it: the 11- year-old mare HH AZUR GARDEN’S HORSES (E.O.) (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve/Sir Lui van de Zuuthoeve), SBS born and bred by Nathalie Beaufort in B-8600 Pervijze, ridden by McLain Ward (USA), took the2016-2017 edition of the World Cup, after a stunning weekend at the finals in Omaha (USA).

How not to be dazzled by this three tests and five courses over 1.50/60 m without any bar? How not te be seduced by this first place, taken at day 1 and never given up by McLain Ward and HH AZUR GARDEN’S HORSES until the final verdict? How not to admire their autority that has stupefied all observers? And of course there was also the obvious jubilation for the mare and her rider in association with the SBS, celebrating their first World Cup after a brilliant continuity. Indeed, the American rider, after a lot of Olympic/World medals,

never took à World Cup home to join to his trophy collection. The 11- year-old mare collects Olympic silver and the World Cup Jumping in only a few months and the SBS added a first World Cup victory to the palmares of his representants, and this also for the first time, after a lot of victories and places of honnor at the World Equestrian Games, Olympics and in the most prestigious CSI worldwide.

History repeats itself in the most convincing way and there is no longer a question of a happy coincidence. So, we can consider the future with the greatest serenity. (CA)