Top showjumping stallion Dallas crosses Rainbow Bridge

International showjumping sire and former ride of Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling, Dallas, has very sadly been put to sleep after a tragic accident at the Stallion show in St Lo on Sunday, 25th February.

The 16-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood had been attending the Sant Lo Sport Stallion show held in Normandy, France, from 23rd to 25th February 2024.

A VDL Stud statement read, “Due to an unlucky accident at the stallion show in St Lo, we had to put our top stallion Dallas down today (25th February)”.

“He has been out of the sport for several years and was a popular stallion at our station. He impressed with his beautiful conformation, his jumping ability and his great offspring. We will miss this stunning superstar.”

Dallas was sired by Douglas VDL and out of a Heartbreaker mare, Wonder A.S. He enjoyed an impressive 10-year showjumping career, competing at top level worldwide, including Hickstead, Falsterbo, Shanghai and Paris.

In 2016, Vrieling and Dallas won the Falsterbo puissance, going on in 2019 to victory at the London leg of the Global Champions Tour. The pair also achieved many top 10 places at 1.50m level.

Dallas was the reserve champion of the jumping stallions at his 70-day performance test in Adelheidsdorf, receiving a total score of 8.53. As well as scoring 9.0 for loose jumping and 8.5 for jumping under the saddle, he scored highest of the group with 9.8 for potential.

He retired from competition in 2021 when he was 13 and continued with his stallion duties after that, standing at VDL Stud.

He has produced many offspring that compete internationally, including Poden Farm’s Decantos, an 11-year-old who has competed at 5-star by Lorenzo de Luca.

Dallas’ progeny, of which there are estimated to be circa 700, are reported to jump very well with quick reflexes and are strong, like their sire.

Upon the sad occasion of the stallion’s death, Jur Vrieling stated, “Goodbye, my best friend Dallas. It has been a pleasure working with a horse like him. He really was one of a kind, one of the best partners in the ring and loved by everyone at the stables”.