The sad loss of an Olympic medallist and other things the horse world is talking about
Taken too soon
A British-born rider and coach who “shaped Swiss equestrian sport like no other Amazon and was considered a global icon” has died at the age of 59. Lesley McNaught, described as a “true legend of showjumping”, won six Olympic, world and European medals. She went on to become a top coach, training the Swiss eventing team in showjumping. “Losing Lesley is a big loss to the equestrian world – she was a very, very clever, knowledgeable, top horsewoman and great company,” said Andrew Nicholson, who was instrumental in getting Lesley on board with the Swiss eventing team.
Horses on holiday
More than 150 horses from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery are enjoying their Christmas holidays in Leicestershire. Juno and Apollo, the Household Cavalry drum horses, were the first to arrive at the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) in Melton Mowbray, but their equine colleagues from the two regiments were not far behind. “Just like our soldiers, the horses need a well-deserved rest,” said equine veterinary officer Captain Bowman.
A legend retires
Olympic champion Julia Krajewski has announced the retirement of her Tokyo individual gold medal-winner Amande De B’Neville who made her “dreams come true”. The 14-year-old mare was last seen in international competition at the 2022 World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, where she secured individual silver and helped Germany to the team title. Julia, who owns the Selle Francais mare with Bernd Heicke, said Amande De B’Neville (“Mandy”) will not return to sport owing to an “undramatic” hoof issue, which has failed to improve as hoped despite “all sort of approaches in treatment”.
You might also be interested in:
‘A rare, natural talent, taken far too soon’: sad farewell to Olympic rider and trainer
‘Lovely to see them galloping’: Household Cavalry and Kings Troop horses enjoy winter holiday
Olympic eventing gold medallist who made ‘dreams come true’ will not return to sport
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