Carl Hester’s 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medal-winning mount Nip Tuck was sadly put down at the age of 19 last week after a short and sudden illness.

Found by British dressage legend Carl as a yearling in The Netherlands, he was owned throughout his career by the rider and Jane de la Mare, who looked after him in retirement. He was a stalwart of the British team, winning three team silver medals.

Those medals came at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, 2015 European Championships and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. At the 2017 European Championships they finished fourth individually in the Freestyle and, in the same year, took third at the FEI World Cup Final in Omaha, USA.

The pair were crowned British national champions in 2019 before his last appearance at the Liverpool International Horse Show that year where he won in a fitting end to a long career.

Lovable

After owning the gelding for 18 years, Hester wrote on his social media.

“It’s hard to find the words to describe him; Barney was unique, loving and lovable, talented, a bit of a scaredy-cat but a real trier, kind, trusting and big hearted. I loved every moment we had together.

“He taught me so much, made me a better person and rider and defied all the odds.

“There are so many memories; forget the medals and accolades, he was my friend and I miss him dreadfully.”