Glock’s Zonik, 13-Year-Old Stallion Competed by Edward Gal & Hans Peter Minderhoud, Euthanized After Accident While Recovering from Surgery
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July 17, 2021
Glock’s Zonik, competed by Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud who are in Tokyo preparing for the Olympics, was euthanized after the 13-year-old stallion injured himself after surgery, Glock’s Horse Performance Center reported Saturday.
“It is so unbelievable and so unreal,” the center said in a statement signed by Edward, Hans Peter and Nicole Werner. “We are in deep shock, full of grief and horror.”
“We have lost our wonderful stallion, this exceptional sire, our sporting partner: GLOCK’s Zonik. He was our equine friend and, at the same time, one of our most important breeding and competition stallions.
“Zonik became lame shortly before CHIO Rotterdam (July 1-4) 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 on GLOCK’s Zonik took place there on 13 July 2021.
“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’re lost for words right now.
“We are deeply saddened and shaken to the core by the loss of our great equine friend, GLOCK’s Zonik.
“He still had such a bright future ahead of him, but it was not to be.
“Beloved, great friend, rest in peace and shine like a star, because that is what you were; a star, truly a king.
“We will always have you in our hearts and never forget you. Thanks for having had you in our care, courtesy of Kathrin and Gaston Glock. Thank you for having allowed us to be part of your life. It was a privilege and a blessing. Now we have to carry on without you, and that is hard, very hard.”
The Danish Warmblood stallion (Blue Hors Zack x Romanov) was competed by Hans Peter as a five-year-old at the World Young Horse Championships in 2013. Blue Hors Zack, 17 years old, is in Tokyo to be ridden by Nanna Skodberg Merrald for Denmark.
Edward took over the ride at Grand Prix in 2017. The following year, he competed Zonik at the World Cup Final in Paris and the World Equestrian Games in Tryon and the European Championships in Rotterdam in 2019.
With two Totilas offspring as Olympic team prospects–Edward was selected for the Netherlands team on Total US–Hans Peter resumed riding Zonik.
The first Big Tour event for Hans Peter and Zonik was at the Nations Cup in France in May and then a second show, also in France, in June where the pair won both the Grand Prix and the Freestyle.
