Jur Vrieling and VDL Bubalu
VDL Bubalu delivered his final Team performance for the Netherlands in Barcelona on Saturday. The Dutch team won the Furusiyya Nations Cup Final with VDL Bubalu jumping two clear rounds with long-time partner Jur Vrieling. Saturday would see the stallion’s final Team competition as now he will move towards a more relaxed program, and eventually towards retirement.
Along with Vrieling, VDL Bubalu won Gold with the Dutch team at this year’s World Championships in Normandy, France. This was added to the existing Olympic Team silver medal the pair won at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
“In consultation with the Van de Lageweg-family that owns Bubalu, we are deciding what will be a suitable location for the Dutch public to say farewell to VDL Bubalu. This could for example be at Jumping Amsterdam, or at the KWPN stallion selection,” says Jur Vrieling to the Dutch federation.
“VDL Bubalu is still very fit. Therefore, it is a shame to say goodbye to him as a sport horse. On the other hand, what better to take what I dare describe as the highlights of his career – the gold team medal at the WEG and his double clear round in the Nations Cup Final – as his last team performances. The pain is somewhat made lighter by the fact that I have great successors in VDL Zirocco Blue N.O.P. and Zavall VDL to keep me on the highest level in the sport” said Vrieling.
Source: KNHS.nl