Farewell Negro

Anne and Gertjan Van Olst’s foundation stallion Negro sadly passed away this week, at the age of 29 years old.  

Born 5 March 1995, Negro, originally named Novabor in reference to his breeder Wouter Borgers, was by Ferro and out of keur mare Fewrie (by Variant x Gondelier). The Dutch-bred stallion completed his performance tests, where the Van Olsts first acquired a share in their superstar, and went on to enjoy a successful career in young horse classes and at small tour level. Unfortunately, a severe injury drew short the sport career for one of Holland’s brightest prospects, shortly after achieving 72.50% on his debut at Grand Prix level.  

However, for no less than two decades, Negro went on to make his mark on the breeding scene, becoming one of the most important sires for the KWPN studbook and influencing dressage bloodlines world-wide.  

For British Dressage, Negro can without doubt be given recognition for the outstanding rise in international performance throughout the 2010s, having sired double Olympic Champion, World and European Champion Valegro.  

On home turf in Great Britain, Negro’s influence is clear; for 2024 alone, he was the top recorded sire on the British Dressage database, with 48 active, competing progeny earning 1,747 BD test points across the year. Andrew Gould’s Olympic reserve partner Indigro and 2024 NAF Magic Prix St Georges Winter Champion Ketcher B, piloted by Jezz Palmer, are just two standout examples of his impact in Britain; whilst his influence as a dam-sire can be seen in Nikki Barker’s Dan Icarus (Durable x Negro), Nathalie Wahlund’s Nova Zembla (Secret x Negro) and Chevalier-O (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) ridden by Dan Greenwood, to name just a few.  

Just one week before his 30th birthday, Anne and Gertjan Van Olst bid farewell to the horse who set their stratospheric course to success in motion. The stallion was at the heart of the yard in Den Hout, the Netherlands, and was respected by all those who enjoyed time in his presence. Speaking on Facebook, Anne commented: “My heart is broken. Negro. one week before your 30th birthday you, GertJan and I decided, that time had come. Out of love and respect we had to let you go.  Thank you for everything my love. You will be missed every second of the day, but your spirit will live on forever. Goodbye my love goodbye." 

British Dressage extends condolences on behalf of the Board, CEO Jason Brautigam and the wider membership to Anne, Gertjan and the Van Olst team on the loss of their history-making, and much-loved, stallion.