Willa Newton has announced leading 5* event horse, Chance Remark has been retired from competition. The difficult decision was made a year earlier than hoped following the 17hh bay gelding’s withdrawal from Badminton Horse Trials (2019):
We had really hoped to give him one more season but sadly it wasn’t meant to be. He had been in such good form and in great condition that it was gutting to have to withdraw him at the last minute before Badminton.
He has done so much for me and, having had such a brilliant season last year, it is definitely the right decision. I feel incredibly lucky to have done what we have done together and I am so very grateful to him for giving me some amazing moments. I don’t think I will ever ride a horse that makes 5 star feel that easy and I am just so grateful to the owners that I got to play a small part in this amazing horse’s career,”
Explained Willa.
Added owners Feena Machin and Peter Thomas:
It’s every owner’s dream to achieve 5-star success and we are immensely proud of Willa and her team for establishing such a great relationship with Chance Remark (aka Austen) and taking us on a fantastic journey to the top.”
Chance Remark was rated the 12th Top Event Horse in the 2018 British Eventing Rankings, having finished the season with two top 10 5 star results – 4th in Luhmuhlen and 8th at Burghley. He was last seen on the BE circuit with Willa in April this year when the pair competed at the Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials.
Now 17-years-old, Willa has enjoyed the ride of Chance Remark since 2013 with their first success was in May 2014 when they won Rockingham Castle Horse Trials.
“Austen owes us nothing and, although it was a difficult decision to retire him, hopefully, he can enjoy a happy retirement fit and well.” Willa Newton
It leaves Willa, who is on the World Class Equestrian Podium Potential squad, short of top horsepower and she is actively looking for new owners looking to bring out the best in their horses.
Further information visit the Willan Newton Eventing website.
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.