Olympic dressage horse Sebastien retires from sport aged 16 -

Lindsay Kellock and Olympic dressage horse Sebastien pictured at the Tokyo Games — Lindsay Kellock and Sebastien at the Tokyo Olympics.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Canadian dressage rider Lindsay Kellock said she will “never forget the feeling” her Olympic partner Sebastien gave her when he showed off to a crowd, as he is retired from the sport aged 16.

Lindsay and the Sandro Hit son made their Olympic debut together at Tokyo, where they scored 65.40% in the grand prix.

Earlier this month Lindsay said after “much thought, love, sadness and appreciation,” Sebastien would retire. She added she had had her sights on the dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark, but over the past few months Sebastien had been “battling some health issues” and after discussion with his owner Melissa [Schiff Soros] and vet Rick Mitchell, it was decided retirement was in his “best interest”.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

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.

‘He taught me so many life lessons’: Tokyo Olympic dressage horse retires age 16

“Sebastien taught me so many life lessons. He taught me to be patient, resilient, caring, tough, humble, and grateful,” said Lindsay.

“I have so many people to thank who went on this journey with us and were a huge part of our success and ability to get to this level,” said Lindsay.

“First and foremost, Melissa Schiff Soros and your Enterprise Farm Equestrian. None of this would be possible without you. You picked him at just three years old, identifying both his athleticism and good brain.

Lindsay thanked Sebastien’s vet team at Fairfield Equine, and formerly Rhinebeck Equine Clinic, her physios, grooms, and farriers, and her coach of 12 years Ashley Holzer.

“Lastly thank you to Sebastien for being a great partner. You are cheeky, hilarious, loving, scary, opinionated, confident, loyal all at once,” she said.

“Even though we had our moments where you would try and dictate how the ride was going to go or on some days attempt to dump me into the judges booths, I will always miss going down the centre line with you.

“I will never forget the feeling you gave me when you wanted to show off for the crowd. You were a real showman when you wanted to be and I will always cherish the partnership we had and the special moments we shared together, both in and out of the ring. Happy retirement Seb. You deserve it.”

You might also be interested in:

Tales from Tokyo: ‘I’m wearing a necklace my brother gave me – I know he wants me to be here’

Top rider’s ‘heart horse’ to retire in special ceremony at World Championships