Parco
Breeder: Jan Bongaerts
Parco, a stallion who seemed destined to carry on the legacy of his renowned sire Darco, had an illustrious career in international show jumping. Much like Darco, Parco’s partnership with Belgian rider Ludo Philippaerts sparked numerous successes at some of the world’s most prestigious events.
In 2001, Parco made his mark by securing victories at the Grand Prix events in Paris-Bercy and Bordeaux, along with impressive Nations Cup wins at Aachen and Dublin. These victories hinted that Parco was on the rise to stardom, following in the footsteps of his legendary sire. His consistency on the circuit was undeniable, with the stallion showing promise as one of the sport's brightest stars.
2002 was another strong year for Parco, as he qualified for the World Equestrian Games in Jerez. However, a fever led to his withdrawal from the competition, marking a momentary setback in an otherwise stellar season. Parco's form was back to its best in 2003, where he continued to showcase his brilliance in Europe’s top arenas, including an incredible performance at the Donaueschingen European Championships. In a thrilling finale, he was narrowly edged out of the Gold Medal by just one second.
The year 2004 brought more triumphs, with Parco taking 5th place individually at the Athens Olympics, proving that he could hold his own against the best in the world. The following year, he delivered a solid performance at the World Cup Final in Las Vegas, finishing 9th. But it was 2006 when Parco truly cemented his place in the history books, winning the Monaco Grand Prix CSI****, the Estoril Grand Prix CSI*****, and finishing 4th in Cannes. His performance at Aachen’s World Equestrian Games in 2006 was also noteworthy, securing a 9th-place finish.
However, as with all athletes, the years of high-level competition began to take their toll. In 2007, Parco experienced a drop in form with a 54th-place finish at the Grand Prix of Arezzo. The following year, he managed to claim a victory in a 1.45m class at Grobbendonk, but it was clear that his peak had passed. Parco retired from competitive sport in 2009 at the age of 16.
Parco was the product of a well-constructed pedigree, out of a mare by the Almé son, Attack Z. His damline carried further depth, with his great-great-granddam, Ramony, being by the Anglo-Arabian stallion, Ramzes. This line also featured Frühling, a stalwart of the Westfalien breeding program.
On the breeding front, Parco proved himself as a stallion of international repute. Licensed for Belgian, Zangersheide, French, and Swedish studbooks, he became a sought-after sire, with offspring excelling in foal shows, loose-jumping contests, and auctions. Among his notable progeny are stallion sons like Booster (out of a Remondo mare) and Dream d’Hedje DWS (out of a Hedjaz mare), as well as Angel v/d Hoendrik, the Belgian National Four-Year-Old Champion in 2004.
Even after his competitive career ended, Parco’s legacy continued through his offspring, many of whom excelled on the international stage. For example, Dirk Demeersmen and Bufero van het Panishof (by Polydiktus van de Helle) placed in the top 25 at the 2012 London Olympics.
While Parco had his moments of greatness, comparisons to his illustrious sire Darco remain inevitable. It seems that despite his success, Parco never quite reached the same level of dominance as his father, a stallion whose impact on the sport remains unparalleled. Yet Parco’s legacy, both on the competition circuit and as a sire, endures, solidifying his place in the world of show jumping.
