It can be announced today that the talented 17 year old show jumper Espoir will retire from the sport. Under World Number 6 and top ranked Belgian rider Pieter Devos, Espoir has achieved multiple CSI5* career wins and podiums at the highest level of the sport, notably winning the likes of the Bordeaux World Cup (2018), the AL SHAQAB Grand Prix of Doha (2019), Rotterdam’s Nations Cup (2018), the Oslo Grand Prix (2016), riding a double clear at the Gothenburg European Championship (2017) and winning the Belgian Championship (2016).
Pieter commented: “After an incredible career my team and I have made the decision to retire Espoir at the age of 17; fit, happy and healthy.
He has been my lifetime partner, a horse who has taught me so much. One with the biggest heart, and the one who has proven that if you listen - truly listen - believe, and work together, you can achieve unimaginable things. I hope you can find the time to watch this film about him, he truly deserves to be celebrated as the special horse he is and I believe can remind us all why we love our horses so much.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of this special horse’s story - from his breeders, and riders before me, to Bart Vandecasteele his co-owner, Simon Rousic his long-time groom, our partners and the whole team behind the scenes at Devos Stables who have and will continue to care for and love him always.
But most of all I would like to thank Espoir - he is the horse who changed my life and who gave me the confidence to believe we could achieve great things together.”
Espoir (Surcouf De Revel x Perle D’or) was born in 2004 and came to Pieter’s stable in 2015 where the pair built a formidable partnership. As well as featuring as an anchor for the Belgian team and mainstay for multiple Nations Cups, Espoir has featured and contributed to many Global Champions League team competitions, helping secure podiums in Mexico City, Valkenswaard, New York, Miami Beach, Paris, Madrid and St Tropez. As well this, he achieved many individual Grand Prix placings and podiums throughout his illustrious career, ranking as one of the top horses in the world and earning over 1 million euros in prize money.
Espoir will be retired at the Devos Stables home in Belgium, where he will continue to live with Pieter and enjoy a quieter life of hacking and well deserved field time.