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‘Thank you for everything’: five-star horse retires aged 19

Becky Murray Becky Murray

    • Five-star event rider Bubby Upton has confirmed the retirement of her long-term partner and under-25 national champion Cannavaro.

    The KWPN gelding, owned by Bubby’s mum Rachel, has bowed out aged 19.

    “The event seasons will look slightly different from now on due to the absence of Cannavaro. Happy retirement my boy,” said Bubby.

    “For ever a team favourite and for ever a champ in our eyes.”

    Cannavaro was a former showjumper, whose first season of eventing was 2016 with previous owner Lucy Morgan. Bubby took on the ride in 2017, competing in junior and then young rider classes; the pair finished the 2018 season third at their first advanced, at Little Downham.

    The following year Bubby and Cannavaro made their CCI4*-S debut at Burgham, finishing 12th. In the summer of 2021 they won the under-25 CCI4*-L at Bicton then in September won the Little Downham CCI4*-S. That autumn they made their five-star debut at Pau, but pulled up across country; on their return the following year they finished sixth.

    “A multiple CCI4* winner, top 10 at CCI5*, twice CCI5* leader after dressage, U25 champion, shortlisted for senior championships, selected for junior and young rider European Championships,” said Bubby.

    “But his greatest accolade of all, and what I will for ever remember him for and be eternally grateful for, is his heart of gold and his relentless inner fight for me. Time and time again this enabled him to achieve things and exceed expectations beyond what I ever thought was possible.”

    Cannavaro missed the 2024 season to injury, but made his comeback in 2025. The pair were part of the Nations Cup squad at Aachen, helping Britain to third. Their last competition was at Pau in October, where they were lying second after cross-country, but withdrew at the final trot-up.

    “Thank you for everything, Joey,” said Bubby.

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    Becky Murray
    Becky Murray

    H&H senior news writer
    Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
    Becky Murray

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