World-class show jumping stallion Diamant De Semilly has died aged 31.

The son of Le Tot De Semilly died on Tuesday February 15 in his own field, where he “enjoyed a pampered retirement”.

A spokesman for Haras de Semilly in France said that although Diamant was 31 and they knew they could expect the “inevitable separation” one day, the “emotional shock” remained the same.

“Some pages of history are more difficult to turn than others, because this force of nature was not a horse like the others. He became a member of our family and our lives were deeply linked”, has said the spokesperson.

Diamant De Semilly was an orphan foal because his mother Venise Des Cresies died after his birth. He had success as a young horse, qualifying for the French championships at four, five and six years old.

He has won several Grand Prix during his career and in 2002 he was part of the French team that won gold at the World Equestrian Games, together with Eric Levallois – who has previously ridden Le Tot De Semilly. Diamant was crowned French champion that year, and the following year, he was part of the silver medal-winning team at the European Championships with Eric. In 2004, the duo was selected for the Athens Olympics, but Diamant was ruled out due to injury. In 2008 he retired from competition to focus on stud duties, and in the same year survived three colonic surgeries.

“So many memories in over 30 years. A whirlwind of flashbacks erupts like a tsunami of emotions… your first bottles, your charisma that sets you apart from others, your victories, tears of happiness with gold at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez. And then the moments suspended out of breath during your three colonic operations, then your coronation of best [showjumping] world stallion in 2015,” reads the tribute from Semilly Stud.

Diamant topped the World Sport Horse Breeding Federation’s show jumping bull rankings in 2015 and 2016, and last year he was second, behind Chacco-Blue. Among his offspring are countless horses that have dominated the world of show jumping and eventing. Some of them include Toledo De Kerser, Tom McEwen’s gold medal Olympic team, Comme Il Faut, Marcus Ehning’s retired star stallion, Hello Guv’nor, Scott Brash’s former grand prix , and Don VHP Z, who won individual silver at the 2017 Europeans. with Harrie Smolders.

“You have changed the destiny of our lives. You have also marked the lives of many people, breeders, riders and owners who have been lucky enough to be able to appreciate your many qualities, including strength, courage and the will to do well,” said the spokesperson for Haras de Semilly.

“You marked the world of sport horses for all this, thank you Diamant, for everything, you will always remain in our hearts and our history.”

Eric added that Diamant enjoyed a “beautiful well-deserved retirement until the end surrounded by a loving and caring team”.

“I lost my horse, but above all my best friend. Goodbye Diamond,” he said.

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