After Lameness in Aachen: World Championship Eventing Horse Zinny Is on the Road to Recovery

Paolo Torlonia and the 10-year-old mare Zinny—a granddaughter of Cash out of a daughter of the legendary Trakehner Abdullah, who was born in Italy—had made it to the final obstacle in the Aachen World Cross Country Championship without any faults. But there, the 29-year-old sensed that something was wrong with the mare. He was already on his way to the last of the course’s 28 obstacles when he stopped her and led her to the finish line. Indeed, the mare was limping.

On the same day, the FEI reported that the mare had been taken to a nearby veterinary clinic for further examination. Yesterday, news came that she had sustained a soft-tissue injury. Accordingly, no bones are involved, which is very good news. This is also reflected in the rider’s own post on social media:

“Just a few strides before the last obstacle, she didn’t feel right. That’s why I got off the horse as quickly as possible. (…) Thanks to everyone who checked in on us and supported us. It means a lot to us. We’ll be back.”

Paolo Torlonia and Zinny

Paolo Torlonia has represented Italy at the European Championships, first as a pony rider and later as a young rider. He competed in his first senior championship at Euro 2021 as an individual rider and finished the competition. He was part of the team for the first time last year in Blenheim with Zinny. The team placed eighth.

Torlonia trained Zinny herself and competed with her at the World Championships for Young Eventing Horses when she was seven years old, where they placed 31st out of 70 horses. In the individual standings at the European Championships in Blenheim, the pair finished 27th.

World Championship Participants at the World Championships

By the way, Zinny wasn’t the only participant in the World Championships for young eventing horses three years ago who has now succeeded in Aachen. Lara de Liedekerke-Meier’s Kiarado D’Arville, who worked his way up to 25th place at the World Championships in Aachen yesterday with a clear round, had won silver in Lion d’Angers in 2023.

The Irish horse MGH Zabaione, ridden by Padraigh McCarthy, finished ninth in Lion d’Angers, placed 24th at the World Championships, and took fourth place as part of the team.

Peter T. Flarup’s H. Carald Z finished 24th in Lion d’Angers and competed as a solo pair in Aachen, but did not finish the cross-country course.

The Holsteiner mare Lillet, who competed for the U.S. in the individual pair event in Aachen with Tamie Smith, was still under the guidance of Germany’s cross-country coach and Olympic team champion Andreas Dibowski in Lion d’Angers. She finished the cross-country course without any jumping faults but was withdrawn before the show jumping.

Renegade, an Austrian Desirao daughter ridden by Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati (AUT), who finished 49th yesterday, placed 47th in Lion d’Angers.