Champion show jumping stallion Vivant has sadly passed away at the age of 26 in Ireland.
In recent years, Vivant had been based at Coolballyshan Stud, with Kieran Kennedy making the sound announcement via Facebook on 12 August: “Vivant has sadly passed away. He was a world class horse, and it was an honour to have him at Coolballyshan Stud. Thanks to all the breeders that supported him, it’s been a sad few days.”
Vivant (Fuego du Prelet x Scalini van de Heffinck, by Landino) was bred by Hubert Hamerlinck Wippelgem in Belgium, before being purchased and imported by Australia’s Helen and Chris Chugg.
Vivant with Chris Chugg and Helen Chugg at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010. Image supplied by Helen Chugg.
Speaking to Equestrian Life via Roger Fitzhardinge in 2020, Helen Chugg recalled looking at many, many colts and none really fitting what she wanted until she saw Vivant: “I saw him and instantly I literally fell in love with him. He was everything and more and, as a three-year-old, I could truly not pass him by. It was strange but it was like someone turning on a light switch… it was that easy and obvious to me.”
“He was an athletic, modern type thoroughbred with a stunning topline and a ‘look at me’ attitude,” noted Roger. “Helen always liked to put like-to-like types together as you have a better chance of knowing the result, and Vivant would so suit the thoroughbred mares that so many Australian breeders had. When he was purchased there was an outbreak of foot and mouth, so it wasn’t so easy to get him home. He had to go by boat to Ireland and quarantine there before flying to Australia. He was greeted with great excitement as back then there was limited frozen semen available, and having Vivant standing in NSW was good timing and management. The first season he served three mares, and they were all in foal. The three foals were Vigo, Vermont and Maximus — all of which jumped World Cups.
“Of course, Vivant’s jumping career took off in Australia; with Helen’s love and care and Chris in the saddle, he went from strength to strength. But he was always a stallion to play in the paddock and was so athletic, and somehow fractured his pelvis in a paddock mishap. He was nine months out of work (stabled) undergoing slow rehab in Helen’s methodical and meticulous care. He was a gentleman, but every inch a stallion and always let people know when he was around. He was not a horse to be ignored!”
Vivant returned to work and continued on to dominate on the domestic circuit. “He was three times National Champion and winner of the Pacific World Cup League,” continued Roger. “He was seventh in the World Cup final at Geneva in 2010 and part of the seventh-placed team in the Nations Cup at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. A fantastic year with a truly brave and careful international horse who loved his job.”
Vivant with Chris Chugg in the saddle at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Image by Julia Rau/Diamond B Farm.
Vivant was then sold to Aleksandr Onishchenko of Ukraine, who competed him, before the stallion went on to represent Ukraine at the 2012 London Olympics with Katharina Offel in the saddle, followed by the 2014 World Equestrian Games and 2015 European Championships with Cassio Rivetti.
Breeder Paul Schockemöhle then used Vivant extensively for two seasons, and he was retired from the competition arena in 2018. In recent years, Vivant had been owned by Coolballyshan Stud in Ireland and lived with the Kennedy family, with Helen telling Equestrian Life she believed they loved him as much as she did.
Chris Chugg paid tribute to his former equine partner via Facebook on Monday: “There aren’t enough words to describe what you meant to me. My champion, my soul mate. You were such a character, a fighter and my best mate. Knowing you are no longer on this earth makes my heart ache, but I know how much you were loved and adored by Kieran and his family in your final years, living your best life in Ireland. Rest in peace my boy, I’m so glad we got to see each other in Ireland a couple of years ago. Your legacy will live on through all your children and grandchildren but there will only ever be one ‘Vivant’.”
Equestrian Life’s thoughts are with Helen Chugg, Chris Chugg, the Kennedy family, and all those who have been connected with this incredible stallion over so many years. With countless talented Vivant offspring competing here in Australia and internationally, his legacy will live on.
