Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden announced April 2 that top partner Darry Lou has been sold to Jennifer Gates.

Jennifer Gates on Darry Lou. Photo Courtesy Of John Madden Sales

Madden initially planned to vie for a spot for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and Darry Lou was under contract to be sold after the Games, but with the Games postponed until 2021, the timeline of the sale moved up. Madden announced earlier this year that the 2020 Games would be the last time she chased a team spot, planning to focus on developing young talent—horse and rider—in the future.

“I have been very lucky to have had Darry Lou in my life, and I will always cherish the incredible moments we had together,” Madden said on Facebook. “I can’t thank Abigail Wexner enough for making it all possible. I think Jennifer and Darry Lou will be a great partnership, and I look forward to seeing what they can do together. I have no doubt Darry is going to an exceptional home, and I wish Jennifer and Harrie [Smolders] the best of luck with him.”

“I am so grateful and excited to have Darry Lou join the Evergate Stables team. I have admired this wonderful horse and his partnership with Beezie, one of my biggest idols in equestrian sport, for a long time,” Gates wrote on Facebook. “While we are saddened not to see Darry and Beezie at the Olympics this year, we are looking forward to getting to know him at home while the competition restrictions remain in place, and continuing to give him the love and care he deserves. I want to extend a huge thank you to John and Beezie, the John Madden Sales, Inc. team, as well as my coach, Harrie Smolders, and Darry Lou’s former owner, Mrs. Abigail Wexner, for making this partnership possible.”

Beezie Madden on Darry Lou in February. Kimberly Loushin Photo

Wexner, Madden’s longtime sponsor, purchased the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve—Venus, Nabab De Reve) from Mexican show jumper Alberto Aldana for Madden in 2017. They’ve been anchors for the United States in many Nations Cup competitions, most recently producing a stellar jump-off round to help the U.S. win the Longines FEI Nations Cup at the Palm Beach Masters (Florida) in February.

They were the alternates for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (North Carolina) and individually topped the 2019 AIG $1 Million Grand Prix in Thermal, California, as well as the 2019 CP International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows (Alberta). Darry Lou won the 2019 USEF International Horse of the Year title.