Medal Winning Horse Put Down After Shocking Injury Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2020

Days ahead of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, the equestrian world mourns the death of another horse. Dutch sire. Glock’s Zonik suffered a shocking injury which led to him being put down. Top riders like Edward Gal and Hans Peter rode Zonik before his untimely and unfortunate demise.

How did Glock’s Zonik die?

At the CHIO Rotterdam, Glock’s Zonik put on a decent performance which drew no suspicion. However, he became lame after the event and suffered another horrific injury, where he broke both his hind legs. To relieve him of his unbearable agony, Zonik’s owners, Glock Horse Performance Center put him down.

They even put out a statement to explain the cause of his death. ?It is so unbelievable and so unreal. We are in deep shock, full of grief and horror. Zonik became lame shortly before CHIO Rotterdam [in early July] and, following suspicion of a problem with a hoof, thorough examination led to diagnosis of an injury.”

“We decided to have him operated upon and, to this end, transported him to Germany to what is indeed one of the most renowned equine veterinary clinics. The operation went well but, in the recovery box, Zonik injured himself so badly that we could only put him out of his misery. He had broken both of his hind legs.”

?We have lost our wonderful stallion, this exceptional sire, our sporting partner. We are deeply saddened and shaken to the core by the loss of our great equine friend.? The performance center claimed Zonik had a bright career ahead of him, and dying at 13 is simply jarring for any horse breeder or trainer.

What were his magnificent conquests ahead of the Tokyo Olympics 2020?

Zonik almost made it to the Tokyo Olympics 2020, but his rider Edward Gal favored a younger horse for dressage. He replaced Zonik for Total US. The stallion went to another Dutch rider, Hans Peter. He competed at the Compi?gne CDI3* and Le Mans CDI4* in May and June this year.

Zonik and Edward Gal traveled all across the globe but made a name for themselves in Europe. He and Edward won the Olympia Grand Prix in 2017 and finished eighth in the World Cup final. Zonik and Gal were reponsible for the Dutch team’s Tokyo Olympics 2020 qualification after a scintillating performance at the Dressage World Championships in Tyron.

Both Gal and Zonik’s second rider Hans Peter will head to Tokyo. If they win, it’ll be no surprise if they dedicate it to their magnificent stallion.

Read more: US Equestrian?s Annie Goodwin Dies in a Tragic Cross-Country Accident Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2020