End of An Era As Superstar Eventer Lenamore Retires

New Zealand eventer Caroline Powell and Lenamore, competing at the Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials. Photo: ESNZ/Libby Law Photography.

London Olympian Caroline Powell has announced the retirement of her superstar eventer Lenamore.

The news broke on Powell's 40^th birthday, and has been greeted with sadness across the equestrian community, but also brought tributes on the favoured little grey.

Powell's London Olympic team-mate Sir Mark Todd called it the end of an era.

“He's an amazing little horse and always one that is a delight to watch,” said Sir Mark. “It will be strange not watching him bounce around the cross country.”

The decision to retire him from all competitive eventing was made by Lenamore's owner Lexi Jackson and his long-time rider Powell.

Ed, as he is known to his legion of fans, will move back to Scotland from Powell’s base in southern England after a stellar career in which he captured more British eventing points than any other horse. His diminutive size belied an amazing cross country ability, not having had a fault in that phase since 2007.

London 2012 proved to be Lenamore’s swansong event, when he and Powell were members of the bronze medal-winning New Zealand team. After a break back home in Scotland, he arrived at Powell’s new base in January. Looking fit and well, he seemed ready to step up the work for Badminton, at which he has an incredible record of seven consecutive completions, not being placed lower than 12^th since 2007.

His Burghley record is even more impressive with a famous victory secured with Powell in 2010, and four other completions. He missed three years at the event due to international duties with New Zealand at the world champs in Germany in 2006, and Olympics in Hong Kong in 2008 and 2012 in London.

By: Diana Dobson/ESNZ