Isabell Werth riding Emilio, pictured here in 2019. Image: FEI/Daniel Kaiser.
Isabell Werth retires Grand Prix horse Emilio
By Equestrian Life
Following a double win in the Big Tour at Wiesdaden CDI (17-19 May) in Germany, Isabell Werth has announced the retirement of her 18-year-old Grand Prix horse Emilio.
The pair won the CDI4* Grand Prix with 75.065% ahead of Ingrid Klimke and twelve-year-old First Class on 70.891%.
After the test, Isabell indicated that Sunday’s Freestyle could be the Emilio’s last competition appearance: “It will definitely be the last time in the castle park [at Wiesbaden] for [Emilio] this year. And then we’ll reflect, have a glass together [Saturday night] and think about what the plan is – whether tomorrow night will be his last performance in general or what we’re going to do,” said Isabell as she smiled and looked at owner Madeleine Winter-Schulze.
Early Sunday morning and prior to the Freestyle, Werth made the announcement that the test would be Emilio’s last via a reel on social media: “We recorded this video a few weeks ago and put it in the drawer… tonight is the day! Now we have to keep our fingers crossed again for our farewell dance in the Freestyle…”
The pair went on to win the Freestyle with a score of 83.300%, ahead of second placed Andrina Suter on Fibonacci with 77.390%.
Emilio debuted at international Big Tour level in 2015 with Isabell and went on to win more than 50 CDI tests, many of which were World Cup qualifiers.
Emilio’s retirement was originally scheduled for 2023 but was then rescheduled for this year’s World Cup Final in Riyadh. A small injury kept Emilio from contesting the event, and now a month later Wiesbaden has been chosen as the horse’s official farewell from the sport. Happy retirement, Emilio!
Published 22 May 2024.
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