Carl Hester has skilled and ridden among the biggest dressage horses on the planet. However when requested concerning the horse of his lifetime — in a function for this week’s Horse & Hound, visitor edited by eventing star Laura Collett — he doesn’t hesitate: it’s his Olympic group gold medal-winning associate, Uthopia.
The “small, athletic, joyful horse” was initially purchased for certainly one of Carl’s buddies in Eire, earlier than discovering his means into Carl’s yard. “I keep in mind he bucked her off, jumped a giant hedge and disappeared into the gap!” Carl laughs.
“It’s not his regular character, however when he will get excited — and it’s very uncommon — he turns right into a Ferrari.”
Regardless of that dramatic first impression, Uthopia rapidly proved himself not solely proficient however a horse with a vivid, constructive outlook.
Carl Hester on Uthopia: “He was born to do the job”
“He likes individuals, likes horses, he’s very pleasant. It fits him to be the place tons is happening,” Carl says.
Laura notes that she had puzzled whether or not Carl may select Valegro, though he didn’t compete him at his peak. However for Carl, Uthopia is particular due to what his achievements meant to him.
“He was born to do the job, he understood the work simply, and he was a unprecedented mover,” Carl says.
“Early on, I needed to study to take a seat with him — he had such energy, such a giant engine; he rode two palms larger. Getting him balanced was the important thing.”
Carl remembers his first 80% at Fritzens in Austria in 2011, when he gained the grand prix particular. “There are only a few exams you take a look at and will be solely happy,” he explains. “That’s what dressage is about, making an attempt to attain 10s in the whole lot you do.”
After successful the grand prix on the 2011 European Championships, Carl recollects the commentator saying, “He’s an especially inexperienced horse and he’s made this appear like a stroll within the park.”
By the point London 2012 arrived, Uthopia’s regular temperament gave Carl confidence. He by no means needed to fear concerning the environment, cheering crowds or standing nonetheless — “all these tiny particulars that matter,” Carl provides.
“The group gold was historic, and a primary for us all,” he explains. “The grand prix was at all times his finest take a look at; it had all these prolonged trots he’s well-known for,” he provides, remembering the seven excellent 10s for it on the 2011 Europeans as “a joyous second that confirmed the world what he was.”
Now 24, Uthopia nonetheless has that very same constructive outlook each day.
“His is the primary steady I move, subsequent to Valegro,” Carl says. “They travelled the world and gained medals collectively. It’s a becoming finish.”
What this horse did for Carl was profound.
“In 2012 I’d already been competing for years, making an attempt to construct up a group, to win medals,” Carl explains. “And the very fact he gained me gold and two silvers on the Europeans and gold on the Olympics put my thoughts comfortable: if no success occurs ever once more, it gained’t matter. He gave me peace.”
To learn the complete function, together with insights from Ruby Walsh, Nick Skelton and Pippa Funnell, decide up this week’s difficulty of Horse & Hound journal, visitor edited by Laura Collett, obtainable in retailers from 3 July.
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H&H dressage and sport horse editor
Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for high dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course at school. Underneath Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
