Many DO give up halfway thru, if their horse is just not right (like the warm-up for the track), horse just not listening, or the rider knows the horse will not be able to handle the rest of the course, which could be something as little as a certain type of jump they won't jump....they never list an injury, nor info on vanning off or euthing on the results list, that will be done in a written article or as  condolences to owner/rider of said horse..

I see.  Thanks for clarifying that point.

Ravel is enjoying his retirement with his owner, who herself is an amateur grand prix rider . This article has a couple of nice pics of Ravel, wouldn't it be nice to have such a classy trail horse like him? lol

http://www.dressage-news.com/?p=17568

ger

Pics and article on Ravel's retirement here;

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=60312.12

Ravel pics here;

http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=60312.12

He's enjoying the good life...now that would be a trail ride to remember!

Ravel is enjoying his retirement with his owner, who herself is an amateur grand prix rider . This article has a couple of nice pics of Ravel, wouldn't it be nice to have such a classy trail horse like him? lol

Oh, my...yes.  Of course these days I'd need a ladder get into the saddle.  Just parking the horse in a hollow and myself standing on higher ground wouldn't do it any more.  :-)  Isn't he handsome!

Beautiful pictures.  He certainly seems to be enjoying his retirement.  When my daughter was taking dressage lessons and they really worked the horse - the owner let her take him for a ride through her fields after lessons.  The horse had a look of absolute delight!  Nice to see the helmets too!

I have a little quiz for you.  There was an article about Guenter Seidel in a Horse Sport International magazine.  Besides other things, the sidebar mentioned the gear he wears.

Which one of the following do you think is the most expensive...

Cavallo boots, Cavallo tailcoat or a L'Hiver top hat.

 

Oddly enough, the Cavallo boots don't seem to have changed all that much in price when you compare 25 years ago to now.  In european prices, that is.  Used to have a pair that I once thought of selling on ebay, and in the end gave to a friend's granddaughter... :-)

I would guess that the hat is the most expensive item, as L'Hiver custom makes them, and there is a lead time of several months.  Then (in price) the Cavallo boots, and last but not least the Cavallo tailcoat.

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2011/04/13/lhiver-makes-first-stylish-safety-top-hat

http://www.panache-equestrian.co.uk/cavallo_boots.htm?gclid=COfQhq2snbICFeeMTAod4BYATQ

I know those boots are expensive, and the coat as well, and the hat is probably custom made...so I would say a tie between the coat and hat.........they are all probably custom made........