British Grand Prix rider Amy Stovold has decided to retire her number one horse Macbrian from competition sport. The 16-year old Swedish warmblood gelding will go into "semi-retirement" as the liver chestnut will continue to be a schoolmaster for Amy's students.
"After much deliberation I've decided to semi retire my amazing horse MacBrian. After a personal best of 74% at Hickstead, he wasn't a 100%," said Stovold. "This horse has been one of the most amazing horses I've ever had the priveledge to work with."
Stovold and MacBrian's last competition was the national Dressage Master League show in Hickstead on 17 April 2013, where the duo scored 74.31% to win the Grand Prix. The liver chestnut gelding has been pleagued by injuries in the past, despite producing stand-out results at several international shows on the continent since 2010.
"I'm absolutely heartbroken but feel I have done everything possible to bring him back," Stovold said about her decision to retire Macbrian. "I don't have it in my heart to keep pushing him. He has given me everything and still will. I hope he will teach some of my staff and clients the amazing feeling he gives, and in the future to help people learn, as he really loves to work."
Macbrian was born in 1997 in Sweden and was originally named Mac Brian Poppelhag. He is by Briar out of Brazanja (by Brabant x Pontus). He was reared as a stallion by Inger Persson.
Stovold is currently competing Laura Swain's 10-year old Grand Prix horse Debonnet (by Don Schufro x Cartusch). The bay gelding was previously campaigned by Nicky Barrett, but Stovold has taken over the ride from Laura, whose parents own Amy’s new base at Park Farm in Surrey.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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