#TBT: Valegro's 2016 retirement ceremony at Olympia in pictures

Valegro retires olympia horse show boxes — Valegro retires

(Image credit: Kit Houghton)

Kleenex were out in full force at Olympia this time last year (14 December 2016) as Valegro officially retired from competition. And in true Valegro-style, the then 14-year-old embraced the spotlight like any showman would...

Charlotte and Valegro warm up back stage ahead of their last ever performance of their gold medal-winning London 2012 freestyle

Piaffe perfection: Charlotte shows off Valegro’s exquisite piaffe — which has earned them many 10s — in front of their adoring fans

Valegro’s connections are interviewed on camera in the middle of Olympia’s Grand Hall

H&H Groom of the Year Alan Davies leads Valegro out into the arena before his farewell ceremony

Charlotte and Valegro pose backstage for the media after their display

Charlotte looks adoringly at Valegro, who seems to enjoy the attention

Carl, Valegro, Charlotte and Alan line up for the cameras

Who, me? Valegro looks on back-stage

Charlotte’s best friend Ian Cast looks on with Carl

Look at him go: Valegro is full of bounce and energy under the spotlights

Charlotte waves goodbye as she exits the arena with a superb extended trot

Valegro stands stock still as the crowd go wild for him

Ch-ch-ch-changing.. Valegro doesn’t miss a beat in his freestyle test, proving he’s truly retiring at the top

Valegro pricks his ears as he trots round the arena

Crowds wave goodbye to Valegro at Olympia, as he officially retires from competition

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