AN emotional Trevor Breen dismounted his loyal partner Adventure de Kannan for the very last time before the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby last Sunday as he retired from international show jumping in the arena where he made his name.

A winner of almost every major class in the famous ring, including the British Speed Derby, the Eventing Grand Prix, the All England Grand Prix, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Adventure de Kannan finally won the Hickstead Derby in 2014, just a year after having his right eye removed.

Despite losing his eye, he continued to compete at the highest level. A winner of multiple international Grands Prix and member of Irish Nations Cup teams, Breen credits ‘Addy’ as the best horse for much of his career.

“Without a doubt I owe a lot of my career to Addy, he has been by best horse for the majority of my career,” he said during the ceremony.

“He won classes for me week in, week out, year in and year out. We’d go to any show in the world - Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Hickstead, Dublin, and he always tried his best - and that’s all I could ask for.

“He is an absolute gem of a horse in every possible way, it just shows his heart, his attitude. For one single horse to have all those skills to win all those different classes is incredible, he has a will to win. He’s unbelievable and I’m going to miss him.”

The horse was given a garland of apples and carrots, while his owner Karen Swann was also presented with a gift. Swann will continue competing the 17-year-old at Riding Club shows in Ireland, and recently the combination won the advanced primary show jumping at the Riding Club Festival, as well as placing in the dressage and musical ride.

Happy retirement Addy!