Dutch Dressage News

Mocca Put Down

January 28, 2004

Dutch young riders' horse Mocca has been humanly put down at the end of December 2003. The dark bay gelding Mocca was owned by Dominique Fillion, who trains with Anky van Grunsven and Sjef Janssen. Mocca suffered from a severe knee problem. There seemed no other choice but to put him down.

Fillion purchased Mocca at Norbert van Laak's in February 2003. Fillion aimed at qualifying for the Dutch Young Riders' team, which she did. Aboard the Hanoverian Mocca (by Merlino x Wittelsbach) she won team silver and rode in the individual finals at the 2003 European Young Riders Championships in Saumur, France.

Mocca produced his biggest life-time successes in Germany under Julia Katharina von Platen. Julia's mother Ute von Platen competed Mocca in the Bundeschampionate, while Julia won team gold and individual bronze with him at the 2001 European Young Riders Championships in Iserlohn, Germany.

Image copyrighted: Mary Phelps

Related Links
Mocca Sold to Dominique Fillion
Julia Katharina von Platen and Mocca