Blue Hors Matiné, the stunning grey mare who stole hearts by winning grand prix freestyle silver at the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games (WEG) under Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand, is retiring to stud.
The 12-year-old horse injured herself falling when getting off the lorry at the World Cup final Las Vegas in 2007. Since then, Blue Hors Stud’s attempt to return her to competition fitness — first with Andreas and this year under new stable jockey Sune Hansen — have failed.
The mare, by Blue Hors Silver Moon, also took bronze at WEG in the grand prix special.
After her accident in Las Vegas owners hoped the mare would be right for the 2008 Olympics, but scans showed some damage to her tendon had not completely healed. Andreas and the stud did not want to risk running the horse below par in Hong Kong on veterinary advice.
