Sanceo Retiring from Competition After Leading USA to Historic Silver Medal at Tokyo Olympics
Sanceo Retiring from Competition After Leading USA to Historic Silver Medal at Tokyo Olympics
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Sabine Schut-Kery on Sanceo at the Tokyo Olympics.
Feb. 19, 2023
By KENNETH J. BRADDICK
Sanceo, the horse that Sabine Schut-Kery rode to lead the United States team to an historic silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, has been retired from competition.
“We have made the decision to retire him at the age of 17 from competitive sport,” Sabine texted dressage-news.com from her home in San Ramos, California Sunday night.
Saneco is a Hanoverian stallion (San Remo x Ramiro’s Son II) owned by Alice Womble.
The German-born Sabine first competed Sanceo as a four-year-old in California in 2010 and developed the horse in mostly national competitions for the next five years.
After their first Florida competitions at Small Tour in 2015, the partnership was selected for a summer European tour, competing at Munich, Germany and Achleiten, Austria.
“Since our wonderful Sanceo was just three years old, he has given everything he can to all that is asked of him; always inspiring us and always giving 100% to anything put in his way… and it’s because of this, we have made the decision to retire him from competitive sport,” Sabine wrote.
“We have learned so much together and he has always been there for me, and I keep this in my heart as we make this difficult but also exciting decision to let him finish his performance career on a high, with happiness, memories, and while he is in good health.”
The 2015 European tour led to selection for the U.S. team at the Pan American Games of mixed Big and Small Tour combinations in Toronto in July.
Sabine and Sanceo then competed in California and Florida and at the Olympic team selection trials in Wellington were picked to join Steffen Peters on Suppenkasper and Adrienne Lyle on Salvino at the Toky Games.
Sabine and Sanceo were stars at Tokyo placing third individually in the Grand Prix Special and leading USA to Olympic team silver.
That also was their last competition.
“In these past three months together, we have just enjoyed each other’s company, as I reflected on the journey that we have been on and how special this horse has been to me and my life. His kindness and intelligence has still shone through each day; still fascinating me and inspiring me.
“We had such a strong partnership and together with his perfectionist mind and his incredible talent, we have made memories that will last a lifetime.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank his wonderful owners, Alice and Mike, as I was so fortunate to have shared Sanceo’s journey with them . They have always made me feel like Sanceo was also my horse, going as far as to say that I could keep him with me here in California.
“But a retirement with them, on their beautiful 1,000 acre ranch just feels right for our one in a million. They have such love for the sport, but Sanceo’s happiness has always come first and I’m so grateful for their belief in us and their friendship through these wonderful years.
“His legacy will continue through his breeding duties, as he spends this next chapter of his life on the ranch; a scene so special and fitting for our beautiful boy.”
The pair made such an impression for the quality of riding and the performance of the duo in Tokyo that European equestrian media often expressed hope that the horse and rider would make it back to the continent.
“I will always cherish the unbreakable bond that led us to achieving our goals, through to his big finale in Tokyo,” Sabine said. “Sanceo will continue to be adored in this next chapter of his life with his owners, Alice Womble-Heitmann and Dr. Mike Heitmann on their breathtaking ranch in Hempstead, Texas, where they have welcomed his return home.
“Walking into the barn every day without his cheerful face will take a little getting used to, but I know in my heart this is the best decision for him and what we owe him.”
Adrienne Lyle rode Salvino to victory in the Wellington World Cup Grand Prix in the first step in the campaign by the United States team Olympic silver medal partnership...
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