Tributes have been paid to Olympic team bronze medallist Pluto Mio, who has died in retirement, aged 28.
The much-loved gelding, owned and bred by Jane and John Pittard, jumped clear across country at the Rio Olympics with Stuart Tinney, helping the Australian team win bronze – just 6.3 penalties behind champions France.
Stuart told H&H he took on the ride of Pluto Mio in 2010, when John and Jane were considering selling him.
“His temperament was ‘feisty’,” said Stuart. “He was a five-star horse with some problems; he was argumentative in the cross-country and very bold.
“He was very noise sensitive, but deep down had a sensitivity that was endearing. I just fell in love with him, we were both similar!”
Pluto Mio did not start his international eventing career until 2008. He was originally campaigned by Australian rider Katja Weimann, who produced him up the levels. Katja and Pluto were 12th in the Adelaide CCI4* (now CCI5*) in November 2010, before Stuart took on the reins.
“We had a relationship later in his career and I was not sure I could navigate him to be the world-class horse he became. We did click very quickly, and I just loved training him and having his company,” said Stuart.
“He was bred by Jane, who had a real soft spot for him and remained his owner throughout his 28 years of life, alongside John.”
Stuart said horses of Pluto’s calibre are rare.
“I taught him to not run through the bridle and he wore a snaffle for cross-country, and I often rode him in a hackamore for showjumping,” said Stuart, adding that Pluto had many fans.
“He was sensitive, bold, sound and would just give you 100%. His list of accolades representing Australia are long; he was 10th at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy and so close to gold in Rio. Clinching bronze was more than I could ask for from him.”
Stuart said Pluto was “always an amazing companion”.
“He was an incredibly well-mannered horse on the ground and a stable favourite – apart from the amount of purple shampoo used,” he said.
“He just loved his job. He rests with his mate, the Sydney Olympics gold medallist Jeepster, at our property, one hour from Sydney.
“Thank you Pluto Mio, you will always have a place in my heart, my wife Karen’s, and John and Jane’s.”
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