Cortes 'C', or Cortes, (April 24, 2002 – July 13, 2023) was a horse ridden by four-time U.S. Olympian
Beezie Madden in
show jumping
Show jumping is a part of a group of English riding equestrianism, equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, Show hunter, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including th ...
. He was owned by Abigail Wexner. The pair have won many competitions and have competed in the Olympics together, including being named the 2014
United States Equestrian Federation
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF or US Equestrian) is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. It began on January 20, 1917, as the Association of American Horse Shows, later changed to the Ameri ...
(USEF) International Horse of the Year.
Life and career
Cortes is a 2002 gelding sired by Randel Z, out of Orchidee Van De Tombeele. His cross-legged jumping style has caught the attention of many. His longtime groom, Clark Shipley says, “He’s the friendliest horse you’ll ever meet in your life.”
He splits his time between Authentic Stables in Wellington, FL, and John Madden Sales in
Cazenovia, New York
Cazenovia is an incorporated Administrative divisions of New York#Town, town in Madison County, New York. The population was 6,740 at the time of the 2020 census. The town is named after Theophilus Cazenove , Theophile Cazenove, the ''Agent Gener ...
when he is not showing.
Accomplishments
In 2013, Cortes and Madden rode to first place in the $125,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in
Wellington, Florida.
They also won the Global Champions Tour CSI5* Grand Prix of Chantilly in France.
In 2014, Madden and Cortes won the King George Gold Cup at Hickstead—making Madden the first woman to take first place. Madden also won a team bronze and individual bronze at the World Equestrian Games with Cortes in 2014.
In 2016, Madden and Cortes were named a part of the U.S. Olympic show jumping team to compete in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
. The pair have been traveling with the team in preparation for the Olympics, most notably tying with France for Silver in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines in Italy.
Retirement
In 2017, it was announced by rider Beezie Madden that Cortes 'C' would be retired from competition.
References
{{Reflist
External links
The Chronicle of the Horse: Behind the Stall Door With: Cortes 'C'
American show jumping horses
Individual warmbloods
2002 animal births
Belgian Warmbloods