PrintThe New Zealand Bloodstock eventing team and Mark Todd are sad to report that their star performer NZB Gandalf has had to be put down as a result of a serious neurological disorder.
The 11-year-old grey, Todd's 2008 Hong Kong Olympic mount, had recently suffered seizures, which caused him to become blind in his right eye and a danger to himself and his handlers.
"It was a very hard decision to make, but the wellbeing of the horse is what we have to consider foremost,” said Todd. "It's also sad for New Zealand eventing to lose a horse of his caliber. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the best of him."
NZB Gandalf, by pinto sport horse sire Pintado Desperado out of Thoroughbred mare Princess of Power (by Galaxy Bound), was purchased as a yearling by Anglea Lloyd. Lloyd produced him to the three-star level with their biggest win being the 2007 Richfields International CCI*** (New Zealand).
In November of 2007, after eight years of retirement, Todd, the Fédération Equestre Internationale’s Rider of the Century, decided to make a comeback in eventing. Gandalf was the mount he chose to start that process.
In nine short months, Todd and NZB Gandalf forged a strong partnership, and the pair was chosen to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games.
Despite Gandalf's untimely demise, Todd will continue his bid to represent New Zealand at London 2012 and has a strong team of horses behind him including NZB Mouse, NZB Land Vision, NZB Grass Valley and recent purchase NZB Campino.
"With the loss of NZB Gandalf, I'll be looking to our other horses to step up,” said Todd. “I'm hoping to start NZB Grass Valley at [the Badminton CCI**** (England)] and NZB Land Vision at [the Saumur CCI*** (France)]. Either of these two could be chances of getting to the Alltech FEI World Games in Kentucky in October.”
