Olympic showjumper Kent Farrington has paid tribute to his grand prix-winning celebrity Gazelle, as she retires to a lifetime of “inexperienced pastures and sunshine”.
Robin Parsky’s 17-year-old Belgian-bred mare was given an official send-off on Saturday night (11 February), throughout the Constancy Investments grand prix on the Winter Equestrian Competition at Wellington Worldwide, Florida.
Kent and Gazelle’s achievements included profitable the Aachen grand prix in 2019, the Geneva grand prix in 2017 and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows in 2016 and 2017. In addition they gained the Constancy Investments grand prix at Wellington in 2017, “making Saturday a poetically acceptable night to have a good time the mare’s successes and wholesome retirement”.
“After 10 years of extraordinary accomplishments on the most prestigious showjumping occasions on the earth, it was a tough choice for Kent and me to have Gazelle depart her sporting profession,” Ms Parsky mentioned. “However I’m delighted to report that she is in terrific situation, and he or she can be heading for a well-deserved lifetime of inexperienced pastures and sunshine.
“Kent and I had an incredible expertise right here in 2017 when Gazelle gained the Constancy [Investments] grand prix, so we determined that we’d let her retire on the high of her sport right here. To have the ability to have her followers thank her and know the way a lot we respect her, that’s what we wished. Thanks to all of Wellington and everybody right here at WEF for serving to us do that great tribute to an unbelievable horse.”
Gazelle gained over $4m throughout her illustrious profession, which additionally included profitable workforce bronze for the US on the 2015 Pan Am Video games. She was named worldwide horse of the 12 months by US Equestrian in 2020.
“I’m clearly very happy with her outcomes,” mentioned Kent. “Thanks to Robin and my workforce and all of the individuals who have been part of her journey. She made me a greater rider and a greater horseman, and for that I’m most likely essentially the most grateful.”
A spokesman for Wellington added: “All the workforce at Wellington Worldwide needs Gazelle a collective congratulations on an distinctive sport profession and expresses their honest thanks for all of the thrilling moments.”
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Credit score: Future
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