Gio, the horse with whom Charlotte Dujardin won medals at both the Olympics and European Championships this year, has been sold and will no longer be campaigned by Charlotte.
The 10-year-old chestnut will instead be competed by 16-year-old junior rider Annabella Pidgley.
“It’s with bittersweet emotions that I can tell you that the wonderful ‘Pumpkin’ is now owned by junior rider Annabella Pidgley,” announced Charlotte on Facebook this evening (25 October).
“As many of you know who own horses, run yards and compete, this is certainly not a sport for the faint hearted and comes with many highs and many lows; horses being the incredible levellers that they are.
“In order to maintain a position in sport, especially in high level sport, at times, these difficult decisions need to be made,” continued Charlotte.
“I am so thankful that I do not have to do this regularly, as it is always such a hard thing to let go of animals that we see as our family.”
Gio led the British dressage team to Olympic team bronze at the Tokyo Games in September, and also netted individual bronze.
Just weeks later, the duo went on to win team silver and individual bronze at the European Championships.
Annabella, who trains with Charlotte, won dual silver at the European Junior Dressage Championships earlier this year.
“The wonderful thing about this is Pumpkin will continue his journey under the British flag with a rider and family who I have known for many years,” added Charlotte in her statement.
“Annabella is one of the most promising riders in our country, and works so hard to develop herself and her horses, whilst giving them nothing but five-star care.
“I will train the pairing, so I am delighted that our precious Pumpkin will stay in my life and I will still see him on a regular basis.
“Annabella has had an incredible season this year, achieving Britain’s first individual medals at Junior European Championship level and having taken some time to see her ride Pumpkin and fall for him as much as we have, I know a wonderful new chapter awaits him.
“I hope you will continue to support this beloved horse and I look forward to all that comes next for him.”
Main image: Charlotte and Gio in action at the Tokyo Olympics. Credit: FEI
