‘Hanging up my eventing boots’: British four-star winner to focus on dressage career
British four-star winning rider Ruth Edge has retired from eventing.
South Derbyshire-based Ruth announced she was “hanging up her eventing boots” on Tuesday (23 August).
She will now be focusing on training and her dressage career.
“I have had some amazing highs in the sport and have been lucky enough to ride some fantastic horses, who along with fabulous owners have meant that “Team Edge” has had the chance to compete in some beautiful locations over the years,” said Ruth, whose last event was at Somerford Park (19 August).
“Having had the most wonderful ride on the Lawsons’ Drummer at one of my favourite events last weekend I feel it is time to call it a day on a high.
“He finished on his dressage score of 37.2 to finish fourth in the CIC* in an incredibly classy manner — what more could I ask for from a six-year-old?
“But I feel that, although I love being a part of the sport on a training front, my hunger for it on a personal front has dwindled and I get greater enjoyment from seeing my clients improve and the buzz they get from the sport.”
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Ruth has completed many four-star competitions, with several top 10 placings and a win at Luhmühlen in 2007 with Two Thyme .
Two Thyme also won the British intermediate championships with Ruth in 2002 and the British open championships in 2004 and 2009, becoming the first horse to win both titles.
The pair were listed as reserves for the Beijing Olympics, but Two Thyme was injured and unable to compete.
Ruth has also been very successful in the dressage arena, with six national titles to her name.
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“The time has come to focus purely on the dressage horses and with the Tokyo Olympics four years away there is plenty of time to prepare,” she added.
“My coaching is a massive part of my life and something I am very passionate about — so how lucky am I to be able to pursue two ventures that I love and am dedicated to?
“Here’s to the next chapter in my career. First stop the national dressage championships.”
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.