?So Sorry?: Equestrian Community Grieves As Olympic Medal-Winning Horse Passes Away

A horse is far more than a mere mirror of its rider. Instead, the bond between horse and human can be remarkably egalitarian, with the rider adjusting and accommodating as much as the horse, fostering a synergistic balance that deepens over time. Equestrian sports have seen the rise of many exceptional horses, leaving their indelible mark on history with their breathtaking displays of speed on the racetrack.

Among them, one was Edward Gal’s esteemed London Olympic ride, Undercover, who passed away on the 26th of September, 2023. This graceful Dutch warmblood gelding, known affectionately as “Fritsie” at home, left a remarkable legacy in the equestrian world and captured the hearts of many.

Legendary equestrian journey

On 19 Oct Euro Dressage shared a post on Instagram about this legend who passed away. He was owned by the Glock Horse Performance Center, and the news of his passing has left a void in the hearts of equestrians worldwide. Undercover, the 22-year-old Dutch warmblood bred by Marianne Hendriksen-de Rijk, embarked on a remarkable journey with rider Edward Gal. Undercover’s career reached new heights in 2012 when Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud, and Nicole Werner signed a groundbreaking 10-year sponsorship contract with Gaston Glock, an Austrian entrepreneur, marking the start of Undercover’s role as the crown jewel of Team Glock.

Their partnership won numerous achievements, from the 2012 Olympic Games in London to securing third place at the World Cup Final in Lyon in 2014. Undercover’s sensitivity to the show atmosphere led to a well-deserved retirement in 2016. After sharing the post, the fans were so heartbroken and left the comment on Facebook with a heavy heart.

Heartfelt comments in remembrance

Among the comments, a few stood out as heartfelt expressions of sympathy. One comment reads, “It‘s so sad when you lose such a beautiful horse. May Undercover fly high with angel’s wings and dance with Totilas. Sending love and xxx.” Additionally, there were messages of tribute and condolences: “Rest in peace, magnificent horse,” one person shared. Another conveyed their condolences saying, “I’m so sorry, Edward. Rest in peace, Undercover.”

Also Read: ?Rest in Peace?: Equestrian Community in Grief as 31-Year-Old Champion Langfuhr Passes Away

The final comment simply expressed a heartfelt, “I’m so sorry! May Undercover fly high with all the others.” These sentiments reflect the strong connections and shared emotions within the equestrian world.

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