It’s Otto retires

Geoff Billington’s “horse of a lifetime” It’s Otto, has retired from competition

Geoff Billington’s top show jumper It’s Otto, retired from competition aged 15, in a special ceremony at the Olympia International Show Jumping championships.

“Otto is my horse of a lifetime and a good friend,” explains Geoff. ” I could have kept him going in smaller classes, but he didn’t deserve that. I wanted him to go out at the top.”

This fantastic Dutch Warmblood with a striking white face carried Geoff Billington to two Olympic Games and helped him gain seventh place in the world rankings.

Voted the outstanding horse of the year by Horse & Hound in 1996, after just missing out on an Olympic medal, Otto also won and was placed in all the top grands prix around the world.

Otto’s fans will get another chance to say goodbye to the great horse who will spend his retirement at home with Geoff.

“He’ll be taking part in lecture/demonstrations around the country, which will give fans a chance to say goodbye,” says Geoff.

Read Geoff’s tribute to It’s Otto in tomorrow’s Horse & Hound (3 January 2002), or click here to subscribe.

Carol Phillips

H&H website editor

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.