Gemma Tattersall Announces Retirement of Olympic Ride
Gemma Tattersall announces the retirement of her Olympic ride, Pebbles Syndicate Quicklook V.
The 16-year-old grey mare, otherwise known as ‘Pebbles’, scored major wins at Chatsworth CIC4*-S in 2017 and Bramham CCI4*-S in 2019. However, most notably, Pebbles and Gemma were part of the British team at the Rio 2016 Olympics. They also took to the 2017 Europeans, finishing eighth individually.
A “very, very special horse” to Gemma, an early retirement was owed due to a small soundness issue. However, for a horse who loves to work, Gemma has considered she might take on some light work in retirement. Gemma suggested the possibilities of fun showjumping and eventing grand prix classes in her senior years, should she be fit to do so.
Bought for under £10,000 as a project, the success Pebbles brought to Gemma made her a “one in a million”. Gemma realised she was special after attending their first BE100 event together, spotting a “natural show off”. This mentality put her in the prime position to rise the eventing ranks.
The pair’s other major successes included wins at two- and three-star level. In addition, they walked away in fifth from Tattersalls CCI4*-L and fourth from Blenheim CCI4*-L in 2015. They also grabbed second place at Bramham CCI4*-L in 2017, as well as at Jardy ERM in 2019.
There are now plans to breed from Pebbles. Pebbles has already had a foal as a youngster and a number of exciting embryo transfer offspring.
With good breeding lines herself, Pebbles is already proving herself in her second career. A sire and dam of Urkel and Quick Star respectively, her bloodlines have brought massive success and hoped to be passed on. Among her progeny is her six-year-old, embryo-transfer son, Chilli Rocks (by Chilli Morning). Chilli Rocks has multiple wins in international young horse showjumping classes and proving himself in the eventing sphere. The youngster has two wins on his BE record and sub-30 finishing scores at every event he has contested.
Header Image: Gemma Tattersall (GBR) on Quicklook V. Image credit Mike Bain
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