Ashlee Bond (USA) and Chela LS

© FEI/Kristin Lee

By Equestrian Life

Ashlee Bond’s top 15-year-old chestnut showjumping mare has retired from the sport after a immensely successful career.

Chela LS had a very successful show jumping career, with some victories including winning the CSI3* $100,000 Coachella Grand Prix, winning the CSI3* $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Thermal and winning the CSI3* Grand Prix of Liege. Bond and Chela LS also competed at the 2018 World Equestrian Games of Tryon.

Ashlee Bond and Chela LS

Ashlee Bond shared a post to Facebook which read, “Thank you for all the kind messages in response to Chela’s retirement. As to the why behind our decision: in the past, she’s had two very serious staph infections in her hocks. We almost lost her twice. No one thought then that she would return to the sport, let alone to the top level—so everything in the last couple years has been a bonus. Lately, the arthritis in her hocks have required a lot of management, and I could tell her heart wasn’t in it anymore. She owes me nothing, and I’m excited for her next chapter as a broodmare here in Belgium."

EQ Life wishes Chela LS a happy retirement!

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