Billy Twomey’s Olympic horse Tinka’s Serenade has been retired at the age of 19 after an ‘unbelievable’ career, which saw her win more than€1million.
‘Born fighter’
The pair represented Ireland at the 2012 London Olympics, 2011 European Championships and 2010 World Equestrian Games, and together they produced an incredible 18 clear rounds in Nations Cup competitions.
“She is a born fighter, a horse that really rose to the occasion,” said Billy. “The more atmosphere, noise and things that were going on, the better she was. It really used to lift her.
“She was very good when the job had to be done, especially in Nations Cups. She jumped a lot of important clear rounds for Ireland, which we are very proud of.”
‘Best of the best’
Tinka’s Serenade also gained 21 top five placings in five-star Grand Prix and World Cup qualifiers, which included winning the Horse of the Year Show Grand Prix in 2013 and the Rolex Top 10 final in Paris in 2011.
“The Top 10 final is probably the most memorable,” said Billy. “It’s the top 10 riders in the world competing against each other – the best of the best on that day – and she had been in really good form around that time. To win it was really special.”
Owned by Sue Davies, Billy said Tinka wasn’t the easiest of mares when he first took her on.
“She was very head-strong when we first got her, spinning around and doing all sorts of naughty things, but she eventually relaxed and really got into her job the older she got,” he said. “She has been an unbelievable horse for me since around 2009.”
‘Top of her game’
The mare was still on winning form – jumping clear in the Amsterdam Grand Prix just three weeks ago
“It is pretty unheard of for a horse of that age to still be competing at five-star level competitively,” Billy said. “I just thought maybe it was time to not go on any more and finish at the very top with the horse still in really good shape and at the top of her game.”
The mare will now to do some more embryo transfers, before spending the majority of her time with Billy at his yard in Nottingham.