Patrik Kittel’s stallion, Watermill Scandic has been retired, after winning the Swedish championships at the age of 17.
“The moment was right,” said Patrik. “I wanted Scandic to go out as the champion he truly is.”
Together they claimed bronze at the European Championships in Rotterdam in 2011, were on the Swedish team at the London Olympics, won World Cup qualifying legs and this year finished fourth in the World Cup final in Gothenburg.
Although the Swedish championships — where he scored 73.32% and 77.62% — was Scandic’s last competition, a special retirement ceremony will be held for him in his home country at Falsterbo Horse Show (2-10 July).
Patrik added: “He is such a unique, larger than life individual and I love him for that. He has, and will always be, his own person. Strong-willed, stubborn, cheeky, charismatic — my wife Lyndal would say we are two of the same.”
The stallion has an amazing record. While simultaneously standing at stud, he has competed at international Grand Prix for over seven years, performing 99 FEI tests in that time.
He often scored over 80%, with a career high of 83.42% at the 2011 Europeans, which earned him the individual bronze.
Learn the fascinating story behind Scandic’s breeding:
http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2012/10/breeding-philosophy-with-jan-greve/