Catherine Tyree has announced the retirement of her big grey friend Bokai (Up To Date). The now 16-year-old gelding jumped with Tyree to several big wins and top placings all over the world. After six and a half years of loyalty to his last rider, he can now enjoy the rest of his days on the pasture, healthy and happy.
On Tyree's official Instagram account, the international showjumper wrote the following: "After 6.5 years of unwavering loyalty, the only words that come to mind are thank you, and yet that doesn't seem like enough. Thank you for turning my wildest dreams into a reality. From US Nations Cup team members at Hickstead, Falsterbo, Wellington, and Thunderbird, to wins and top placings quite literally around the world ... I will forever be indebted to you for what you gave me. Thank you for giving you all and fighting for me each and every time we were in the ring. Thank you for keeping me on my toes with your cheeky behavior that often made me cry from laughing so hard. And quite simply, thank you for being you. There is only one Bokai, and I am so lucky that you are mine. Retiring you happy, sound, and healthy was something I always promised you and I am happy I can give that to you. It's the least I can do. I love you."
Prior to Tyree, Bokai successfully competed at 5* level with Dutch jumping rider Harrie Smolders, as well as with Norwegian Victoria Gulliksen. It was also with Gulliksen that the grey gelding took part at the 2015 FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany.
Photo: ©Jump Media Photography