Belgian rider Dirk Demeersman has announced his retirement from showjumping at the age of 61. The three-time Olympian competed at the 1992, 2004 and 2012 Games.
Demeersman’s career included a fourth-place individual finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics aboard Clinton. He also contributed to Belgium’s seventh-place team result at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen and a bronze medal at the 2010 event in Kentucky.
This week he confirmed that his top stallion Cote D’Or will now compete with Olivier Philippaerts. The horse’s last international start with Demeersman came at the CSIO3* Martofte Nations Cup in May.
A Cavallini Horses spokesperson said the decision was made jointly with Demeersman’s wife Kelly Pieck to give the horse the best chance to reach its full potential. The pair also transferred home-bred horses Carrasco Z and Little Fellow Z to Team Philippaerts.