Showjumping enthusiasts are accustomed to seeing the name Armitages Boy (Armitage x Feo) on the start lists of the world’s most distinguished grand prixs. Now, we’ll see him on the pedigrees. The 17-year-old stallion will be retired from the sport to fulfill his role as a breeding stallion. Armitages Boy jumped to prestige with Aymeric de Ponnat (FRA), and then Lorenzo de Luca (ITL) beginning 2016. His rounds showcased exceptional scope and technique, and he has the results to back. He was bred by Edwin Oude Kampuis of the Netherlands, and born in 2002. By 2012 he and De Ponnat won the Grand Prix of Gijon. In 2013 their efforts helped secure a French victory in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, and then again in Lummen. In 2014 De Ponnat and Armitages Boy won in La Baule. Throughout the three-year partnership they had a score of impressive 1m50-1m60 placings. Watch the CSI 5* in Dinard 2015 where the pair placed fourth (even after De Ponnat had to pull the horse up in front of the triple, when a gust of wind blew all of the planks in the A element out of their cups). Armitages Boy, affectionately called Mimi, then continued his career with Stephex Stables where he became the ride of Lorenzo de Luca. In 2017, GCT/GCL Mexico City proved to be a memorable outing, where they had a top five placing. No stranger to Nations Cups, they went on to win at St Gallen in 2017. Here is the moment the clear round from De Luca and Armitages Boy won it for team Italy. Winter of this year they could be spotted competing in the CSI5* classes at WEF. Armitages Boy’s retirement from showjumping comes as the decision to shift his focus to breeding activities. According to the 2018 Stephex stallions catalogue his offspring is already inspiring some excitement: “His rare offspring, show size, the same expression and the same power from behind in their canter and jumping.” So though you may no longer be able to see Armitages Boy bucking through the timers, we can look forward to seeing his continued legacy in the sport.
