Carl Hester’s farewell to the Olympic horse who ‘proved everyone wrong’

Carl Hester’s Athens Olympics ride Escapado — known at home as Peanuts — has died aged 26.

The bay gelding, by Exlibris out of a mare by Ikarus, played a pivotal role in Carl’s international career, finishing 13th at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

The pair’s undoubted highlight was finishing third in the grand prix special at the 2005 European Dressage Championships in Hagen, Germany, with a score of 74.32%.

“He changed a lot of things for me,” said Carl. “He took me from last place in Aachen in 2003 to the highest placed Brit at the Athens Olympics in 2004, then finishing third in the special at the 2005 European Championships — separate medals were not awarded for the special that year.

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Article written by: Polly Bryan