Rich Fellers and Flexible. Photo courtesy of the Del Mar National Horse Show.
World Cup Final Winner and Olympic Veteran Flexible will finally be retiring after an incredible career that spanned two decades and 199 FEI performances. He will be officially retired at the Del Mar National Horse Show the first weekend in May with his longtime companion and new official owner Rich Fellers by his side.
“May 6, 2017 will mark the official retirement of Flexible at the Del Mar National,” It states on Flexible’s Facebook Page. “So many wins including the 2012 World Cup Finals. Complete domination of the 2012 Olympic trials and an 8th place finish in London. A fierce competitor who understood the sport. A horse of a lifetime. Bittersweet, but we are proud to have the opportunity at RFS to retire him at the farm he knows and loves. He is happy and sound and will still work every day and be one of the gang.”
Flexible has been owned by Harrie and Molly Chapman for the entirety of his career, but the horse will now officially belong to Rich Fellers Stables and remain at their facility until the end of his days.
Flexible had ups and downs with injuries during his career, but was competing fit as a fiddle as recently as the Las Vegas National and World Cup Qualifier this past November. In his final FEI round of his career, Flexible had just a single rail to finish 12th.
Flexible in Las Vegas:
The Irish Sport Horse stallion has also been a successful breeding stallion, and his progeny continue to highlight the incredible athleticism of the 21-year-old.
We wish Flexible the happiest and healthiest of retirements, and look forward to celebrating his career in Del Mar very soon.
Go Flexible, and go Jumping.