Carl Hester’s Sydney Olympics partner Argentile Gullit has been retired. The 19-year-old Dutch-bred stallion by Ulft had been suffering from a recurring tendon problem.
Argentile Gullit, owned by Jenny Green, was ridden by Hester in the British dressage team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He also took Green’s daughter Gemma to international level in young riders, forming part of the victorious Young Rider Euro Cup team at Addington in 2003. They were also the highest placed British pair at the Saumur CDIJY that year as well as being part of the fourth-placed British team at the European Young Rider Championships.
Fortunately the decision to retire Argentile Gullit has come in the wake of some good news. The double national champion Showtime, one of Gemma’s current rides, recently received the British Breeders’ Award for most points gained by a dressage horse seven years and under in 2006.
