Abbervail Dream retires

Show jumper Abbervail Dream is to retire, aged 17, after a long partnership with Di Lampard. The Irish-bred horse, who is owned by Dina and Robert Verburgt, suffered a foot injury at last year’s St Gallen Nations Cup which did not recover well enough for him to face further top-class competition.

The pair achieved a world-class Nations Cup record since their first start in Rotterdam in 1994. A total of more than 40 team call-ups for the partnership included two European Championships and two World Championships.

Abbervail Dream will be remembered most for a stunning performance in the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome when he and Di Lampard rescued the British team with a clear round and one fence down in the final round to secure bronze and an Olympic place.

“Mac” achieved Queen Elizabeth II Cup wins in 1994 and 1998, and enabled Di to become the first lady show jumper to win the Cock O’ The North Championship at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1999. However, he was controversially omitted from the Sydney Olympic team.

Abbervail Dream will enjoy his retirement with Di Lampard and Dietmar Ackermann at Spring Farm, near Oakham, which has been his home for the past 12 years.

• This article was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (29 April 04).

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