Are Carl and Valegro going to retire after Rio?

The dressage world has been buzzing this week after a story was published suggesting we could see both Carl Hester AND Valegro retire after Rio.

Time to go?

But don’t panic just yet. While Carl told reporters in Florida that he was considering ‘hanging up his boots’ after the next Olympics, it’s by no means guaranteed.

Similarly with Valegro, the horse he co-owns, there has been no definite decision made about his future. The gelding is only 13 years old and would be just 14 if he goes to the Rio Olympics next summer.

H&C spoke to Carl Hester today (10 February) and he said that he would see how he feels after Rio, though he added that it would be a “wonderful way for Valegro to finish” his career.

Superstar

Valegro and his rider Charlotte Dujardin have achieved a phenomenal amount. They hold the world records for the Grand Prix, Frestyle and Special tests, they are the current FEI Dressage World Cup winners, and the reigning Olympic, European and World champions.

He made his Grand Prix debut at the age of nine and went on to win Olympic team and individual gold a year later.

Valegro could feasibly keep competing for years, but there will come a point when he has nothing left to prove, and Carl is best placed to decide when the time is right for Valegro to retire.

Dressage legend

Carl Hester has been an integral part of the British Dressage team for more than 20 years. He made his Olympic debut in Barcelona in 1992 and was part of the gold medal-winning team at London 2012.

Carl, who has appeared in a number of hit series on Horse & Country TV, has often talked about his plans to concentrate on training other riders once his own competitive career comes to an end. He has, of course, been instrumental to the career of his protégé Charlotte Dujardin.

When he does decide to call time on his or Valegro’s career, he’ll do so having already given British dressage fans more than we could have ever dreamed of. Let’s just hope we’ll be able to enjoy watching them both in action for some time yet.