In his newest unique journal column, Carl Hester pays a private tribute to the lives of secure stars Valegro and Uthopia
Anybody who has horses – or any animals – is aware of that even whenever you see the top coming, it doesn’t make it any simpler. It’s not solely the horses’ homeowners, riders and grooms who’ve taken care of them, however their vets who all have to return to phrases with when the time is correct.
Many fantastic recollections have already been shared of their tributes, however there are just a few tales I’d like to inform in reminiscence of our beloved Blueberry (Valegro) and Uti (Uthopia).
One is a imaginative and prescient of Blueberry in New York’s Central Park, standing within the midst of a crowd, a throng of adoring followers, which was one of the crucial surreal sights you can ever think about.
He was one in 1,000,000, in a position to deal with fame with ease, all the time remaining calm and peaceable. There are a lot of exceptional tales too of Blueberry bringing pleasure to terminally unwell youngsters behind the scenes.
One other particular reminiscence was when the late Hannah Francis visited. Very unwell by then, she arrived on the yard on crutches, pondering she was solely going to satisfy Blueberry. As an alternative, she rode him – not simply at stroll, however at trot and canter. We have been all diminished to tears as her pleasure grew.
I’ve many photos of Blueberry assembly royalty. The late Queen Elizabeth II was an enormous fan. Her enjoyment of assembly him at Windsor in 2019 is without end etched in my reminiscence.
An unknown story till now was when the then Crown Princess of Denmark (now Queen Mary) came over Blueberry for her fiftieth birthday. Her automobile arrived flanked by outriders, she bought out to satisfy him, then stayed for lunch! It was a type of pinch-me moments.
Blueberry did six years of championships, profitable gold at each single one, plus back-to-back World Cup Last titles in 2014 and 2015. His subsequent years have been spent hacking with buddies, instructing my college students and being visited by numerous followers.
This previous 12 months, Blueberry and his bestie, Uti, have been totally retired from being ridden and spent the summer time right here within the fields at Oakelbrook.
“A silent gentleman”
I can solely describe Uti as a silent gentleman. As I’ve mentioned earlier than, this horse made my profession full.
He was all the time a horse in a superb temper and glad to let his greatest mate take the limelight. Along with his beneficiant efficiency and that incredible prolonged trot, he contributed to our group’s success. He was the linchpin of the group and began the upward trajectory for British dressage.
Uthopia’s legacy will dwell on in his offspring. Credit score: Robin Utrecht/AFP by way of Getty Photos
Difficulties with possession points appear to be a lifetime in the past. To the fairy godmother who stepped in to buy him so he may spend his life right here – and who has remained a silent associate and pal all through eight years of Uti’s retirement and who will proceed to be so – I will probably be without end grateful.
Though Uti wasn’t in excessive demand as a breeding stallion, a few of his infants at the moment are reaching the upper ranges and have inherited his distinctive persona, expertise and appears. His legacy will dwell on.
Uti’s look on the London Worldwide Horse Present alongside one in all his up-and-coming offspring, Henriette Andersen’s Marley, was a particular second.
Even at 22, he hadn’t misplaced the well-known prolonged trot as he made his ultimate centre line, superbly piloted by Amy Woodhead, who discovered her grand prix craft on him after retirement.
Blueberry and Uti have been inseparable, having travelled the world of their worldwide careers, and I had their retirement stables sited so they may all the time see and contact one another. Uti was extremely sort as a stallion. He and Blueberry rubbed alongside aspect by aspect.
Now cremated, they’re again residence with me and are available the spring, I’ll be planting two timber of their reminiscence. They are going to be a part of Oakelbrook Mill for ever, collectively.
It was comforting to obtain hundreds of messages and to see Blueberry’s legacy statue in Newent coated with wreaths from all around the world. To all well-wishers, an enormous thanks from myself, Blueberry and Uti’s homeowners, Alan Davies and everybody who has taken care of them as their very own all through their lives.
Comfortable Christmas,
Carl
● Do you’ve gotten a favorite reminiscence of Valegro or Uthopia? We might love to listen to from you at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and county, for the prospect on your ideas to look in a forthcoming challenge of the journal
You may additionally be focused on:
Valegro spent most of his life within the care of Carl Hester and his group.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Trevor Meeks
Carl Hester and Uthopia on the 2011 European Dressage Championships.
Credit score: Alamy Inventory Photograph
Alan pictured with Valegro.
Credit score: Jon Stroud Media
“A defining second”: Carl and Uthopia lead Britain to group gold in Rotterdam 2011.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
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