‘Today is emotional’: official retirement of Olympic medal-winning horse at Pau

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Piaf-de-BNeville_Rio_PN16_28924.jpg
Astier Nicolas FRA riding Piaf de B'Neville, during the Team Show Jumping Phase of the Eventing Competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 9th August 2016
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Piaf De B’Neville, the horse responsible for claiming France an individual silver and team gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was retired in an official ceremony at Les étoiles de Pau CCI4* on Sunday afternoon (28 October).

Known as ‘Ben’ at home, the now 15-year-old, helped launch the international career of Astier Nicolas.

Gemma Redrup
Gemma Redrup
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.