‘A real honour’: Olympic and world medal-winner bows out for pleased retirement

The Olympic and world medal-winning dressage horse Suppenkasper has bowed out of competitors aged 16 to take pleasure in retirement along with his homeowners.

Akiko Yamazaki and 4 Winds Farm’s KWPN gelding “Mopsie”, who helped the US to Olympic group silver in 2021 and world silver in 2018 with Steffan Peters, is likely one of the most profitable horses in US dressage historical past.

“He earned the viral moniker Rave Horse for his common freestyle from Tokyo 2020, changing into a spotlight for viewers tuning into the Video games,” a spokesperson for US Equestrian mentioned. “In complete, Suppenkasper competed in additional than 80 worldwide competitions with Steffan and earned 59 victories in grand prix CDI competitors.”

Steffan mentioned it had been a “true honour” to be a part of Mopsie’s life and profession.

“It’s laborious to elucidate how a lot appreciation I’ve for Akiko for buying him eight years in the past after which supporting us to compete around the globe collectively,” he mentioned.

“The historic silver medal in Tokyo was, after all, the spotlight of our profession collectively. For me, it’s going to at all times be one of many proudest moments of our partnership – to have Mopsie ship for our group that night time in Tokyo.

“The person victories have been superb, however I at all times felt the proudest delivering for our group, and it meant the world after we achieved that in Tokyo. Mopsie turned the Rave Horse; that’s nonetheless particular to me as a result of he linked so many individuals. They recognise him and his accomplishments, and there’s actually no purpose to say my title, but it surely’s Mopsie’s character and vitality which made individuals gravitate to him.

“The journey we’ve shared collectively is kind of laborious to place into phrases, however ideas of gratitude, thankfulness, and friendship come to thoughts, each for Mopsie and Akiko, and I’m so privileged to have been part of this journey with them.”

Steffan and Mopsie additionally represented the US on the 2022 World Championships, the place the group completed sixth, and the Paris Olympics.

Akiko mentioned she had been watching Mopsie “basking within the solar” from his window.

“As we mark 20 years collectively as a group, the time has come to finish this superb journey and it’s with deep gratitude to Steffen, the horses and everybody that has been a part of this journey that we now finish this wonderful journey and lengthy experience with this group,” she mentioned.

“With Steffen as our rider, and with quite a lot of horses, together with Lombardi, Ravel, Legolas, Rosamunde, and Suppenkasper, our group has travelled around the globe and had the honour of representing the USA in a number of worldwide championships and occasions.”

A USEF spokesperson added: “4 Winds Farm and Yamazaki’s assist of US dressage has produced great worldwide success over time, with the spotlight of the group silver medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Video games, which Suppenkasper and Peters performed a big function in serving to to safe. Suppenkasper will now spend his days at 4 Winds Farm in Woodside, California.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Enthusiastic about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all points of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits via to worldwide championships.