It's the end of an era for American dressage with the announcement that Salvino, one of the most prominent American dressage horses, is retiring after an impressive career. The decision was made by his owners, Betsy Juliano and Adrienne Lyle, who have confirmed that the 17-year-old Hanoverian will not be competing in the Olympic Games in Paris.
Salvino, born from the well-known stallion Sandro Hit and the mare Dynastie (Donnerhall-Brentano II), has shown consistency and excellence throughout his career. His achievements were extraordinary, with two silver medals to his name, earned at both the Olympic Games in Tokyo and the World Equestrian Games in Tryon. These accomplishments have made him one of the most celebrated dressage horses in the United States.
In 2022, Salvino was recognized as the International Horse of the Year by the members of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), while his rider, Adrienne Lyle, was honored as the International Rider of the Year.
Joachim Essink, the proud breeder of Salvino from Nordhorn, Germany, played a significant role in the horse's success. After spending his early years in Spain, Salvino came to the United States, where he was placed under the care of Adrienne Lyle, thanks to a syndicate that secured his ownership. Later, Betsy Juliano took over as the sole owner.
Salvino's strength lay in his impressive performances in the piaffe, passage, and his powerful collected trot. He quickly gained recognition in the dressage community, earning his first international victory in the Grand Prix Special in Wellington in 2017.
Although Salvino is still in good condition and full of energy, Juliano and Lyle have decided that the stress of the Olympic qualification process would not be in the horse's best long-term interest. Therefore, Salvino will retire and enjoy his well-deserved rest, albeit still ridden at home.
Source: St Georg