The horse! Equestrian is the only sport where the human has a partner of another species on their team. Add to that horses are prey animals and humans are predators. An unlikely combination for an Olympic Team. The Olympics are the pinnacle of competition for equestrians. The riders and their horses are the best in the world. Here are some quotes that tell you how they feel about their equine partners.
“Bella’ is my dream horse, and when Bella is in top shape, for me she’s the best. With her you have the feeling there’s always something more possible.”- Isabell Werth
At the news conference, following the Freestyle, Isabell announced that Bella Rose would now be retired. Isabell has made the decision to take the 17 year old horse out while she is at the top. It will be sad not to see her again but I believe this is a good choice.
“I feel pure joy, relief and incredible gratitude,” said Von Bredow-Werndl after winning the gold medal. “I have such a wonderful horse and such an incredible team that stands behind me – and of course my family.”
“This might be bronze but he gave me absolutely everything and he’s a winner in my eyes. I’m just so proud of him, of what he has done tonight, to go in that arena and perform the way he did. He didn’t make any mistakes, he had no idea what he was doing – I was literally throwing him from one thing to another and he just keeps going and just keeps trying. What he’s done for the last three days is phenomenal, a horse that’s 10 years old that hasn’t even done one year Grand Prix, I just can’t ask anymore.” ”
Charlotte Dujardin on Gio
It is an old cliché but I feel he came here as a boy and he’s gone in there like a man tonight and done everything I asked – all the little things, the details are so important when you’re doing tests. It still feels like one of the best horses you could ever sit on. When he’s in gear you’re just in the air on him.
Carl Hester on En Vogue
And the coach is an important part of the team too.
I owe him everything. Thank you is never enough Carl Hester
Ps how sweet is Pumpkin here reaching out for a nose scratch
There are moments in your life that almost feel like you’re living in a dream, the emotions I’ve felt over the last few days are hard to put into words. What an incredible experience to compete on the Olympic stage with my dancing partner of over 11 years. All In, you never let me down. You gave me our best Grand Prix to date, a top 18 finish, and taking me to dance in the final freestyle, setting the Canadian Freestyle record. You truly are the horse of a lifetime.
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu
All of these top riders know that their success is linked with their equine partner. When that partner works with them the sky is the limit!
HorseAddict 
Aww that’s so sweet, “the horse of a lifetime”. Beautiful horses.
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A lovely post, Anne! It’s heartwarming to hear how the riders feel about their horses and I’m sure that those who didn’t get a medal feel every bit as proud.
As your introduction says, horses and humans make quite an extraordinary team.
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Thank you Lesley All of the riders appreciate their horses I am sure.
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All such elegant horses – I especially liked Pumpkin reaching out for a nose scratch.
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Pumpkin is a star. Watch out for him in 2024 Paris Olympics. I love him. He is smaller and a chestnut like Biasini.💕
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They are just so beautiful and I do wish it was shown. Hopefully, it will be broadcasted in the future.
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That is a shame . We had live streaming on the CBC here which was great and also replays later in the day.
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Some fine quotes from these Olympians re their equine partners. We were also very taken with Bella. As such, we are great fans of Andrew Hoy (being the very good Aussies that we are) – 8 Olympics overall and a great relationship he has had with his horses. He is now the oldest Olympian that has ever competed and said he will take his wonderful horse Vassily De Lasso (he described him as the Usain Bolt of horses) to the Paris Olympics 😊
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Hoy is an icon in the Eventing world. Such an amazing rider and Bravo to him for looking ahead to Paris.
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I have been checking on the GB riders 🐴
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They have done very well. Team Bronzs in Dressage and Gold in Eventing!
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Do you know if Bella Rose’s retirement was planned pre Olympics?
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I’m sure it was.
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Beautiful post, beautiful setting, the finals and all the emotions coming together.
Congratulations anne.
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Thank you. Horses are amazing animals and it is an honor to be able to share that.
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