Rascher Hopes, Emile Faurie’s staff bronze-medal profitable journey on the 2003 European Dressage Championships and the top-scoring British horse on the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has died aged 33.
“I’m sorry to announce Rascher Hopes – often known as Streaky to his pals – was put to sleep in December,” mentioned Hilary Macdonald who sorted the much-loved gelding in his retirement.
“He had torn a superficial digital flexor tendon within the discipline, however up till then he had loved a wholesome, albeit quiet life together with his youthful pal within the discipline and steady.”
Rascher Hopes started his aggressive profession with Hilary Sawyer, who co-owned him with Leonie Porter and produced him to prix st georges degree.
“I usually discover myself revisiting my Streaky scrapbook – he was so lovely, type, sincere, and stuffed with enjoyable,” she mentioned.
Eight months earlier than the Sydney Olympics, Hilary entrusted Rascher Hopes to Emile after the sudden lack of his earlier Olympic contender, Legrini. Although Streaky had restricted grand prix expertise on the time, Emile instantly noticed his potential.
“I knew Streaky can be a grand prix horse from the primary time I noticed him,” Emile mentioned. “Regardless of being a small horse, he had the most important coronary heart and he was an actual trier.”
Though he was one of many smallest and least skilled horses on the Sydney Olympics, Rascher Hopes exceeded all expectations, main the way in which for Staff GB and attaining a private finest rating.
Over the next years, the duo turned a cornerstone of British dressage, representing the nation on the 2001 European Championships and the 2002 World Equestrian Video games, then contributing to the staff bronze medal on the 2003 European Championships at Hickstead.
Rascher Hopes retired in 2006 on the age of 15, marking the event on the nationwide championships, the place he completed fourth within the kür. Reflecting on the second, Emile mentioned the gifted gelding had “nothing left to show”.
“I couldn’t have requested for a greater option to end his profession,” mentioned Emile, who, in response to the Horse & Hound report from the occasion, was moved to tears by a heartfelt tribute from then British Dressage chairman Desi Dillingham, and a standing ovation.
Emile Faurie and Rascher Hopes competing on the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Credit score: Alamy
“I simply felt on the time that he’d executed a lot, he’d been all around the globe and exceeded everybody’s expectations, I simply needed him to decelerate, and have the ability to take pleasure in extra trip within the discipline somewhat than travelling a lot,” Emile added.
After his retirement, Rascher Hopes moved to be primarily based with Hilary Macdonald in Gloucestershire.
Having taught Hilary for a while and figuring out her affection for Streaky, Emile knew she would offer the perfect surroundings for the gelding’s retirement, providing him the care and a spotlight he wanted in his later years.
“He nonetheless loved the occasional quick hack and, till about age 29 he was glad to be exercised within the faculty to maintain up his suppleness and energy,” Hilary mentioned.
“He would usually provide among the greater actions, relying on the day, similar to passage, piaffe, and flying adjustments, seemingly for enjoyable. He was a sturdy, match and sound kind who benefited from his strong early coaching basis.
“Proper till the top he had a fantastic, vibrant and cheerful, considerably cheeky character and was very a lot cherished by all who cared for him.
“I’ve to thank our equine nutritionist Clare MacLeod for serving to devise a weight loss plan for Streaky as soon as he stopped having the ability to eat hay correctly. The weight loss plan stored him in good situation to the very finish.
“I will even all the time be deeply grateful to his house owners, Hilary, Leonie, and Emile, for permitting me the privilege of getting Streaky as each a schoolmaster and a pricey pal for thus a few years.”
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Rascher Hopes (Streaky) in retirement days earlier than his thirty third birthday.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow Pictures
Winner of the Defender CDI4* FEI Dressage Freestyle Emile Faurie with Bellevue on the Royal Windsor Horse Present.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
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H&H dressage and sport horse editor
Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for high dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course in school. Below Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
