Stoeterij Sterrehof has unexpectedly had to say goodbye to the 28-year-old Sterrehof's Opium.

"An unfortunate moment in the pasture resulted in Opium (Polydor out of Ballerina by Bormio, breeder A. Haarlammert) injuring himself, and this injury proved to be, given his age, so severe that a peaceful passing was the best choice we could make for him," the stud farm writes on their website.

The KWPN-approved stallion was at the foundation of the partnership between Stoeterij Sterrehof and international show jumper Marc Houtzager. The combination finished seventh at the 2008 Olympic Games, triumphed in various Grand Prix events, and were part of the team that won the Nations Cup in Calgary in 2009. In 2015, the stallion bid farewell to the show jumping sport at Jumping Amsterdam.

Source: Sterrehof.nl/Horses
Photo Sterrehof's Opium: Dirk Caremans