Olympian Caroline Powell has announced the retirement of her successful and immensely popular equine partner, Lenamore. The news prompted a multitude of tributes throughout the equestrian press.
Known as ‘Ed’…
Lenamore, known by his legion of fans as “Ed” has been officially retired from British Eventing. In a move not dissimilar to Kauto Star’s departure from the National Hunt. Scene owners Janie Mackinnon, Lexi Jackson and rider Caroline Powell have decided to retire Ed while he is fit…Although he won’t be pursuing a dressage career!
London 2012 proved to be their swansong when Caroline Powell and Lenamore formed part of the medal winning NZ team. After a break back home in Scotland he arrived at Caroline’s new Southern base in January. Looking fit, well and ready to step up his work for Badminton. At 20 years of age there are just a few things that have caught up with him. Although nothing specific and it was decided that Badminton might be a trip too far. Not for Lenamore the indignity of a step down…..if he cant go 4 star he would not want to do it at all!
A lifetime of achievements…
The statistics speak volumes of this charismatic little grey that has captured the public’s heart. Starting eventing back in 1999 aged 6 he was produced by Lexi Jackson through to advanced and CCI***. After finishing 14th at the Bramham U25’s in 2004, Lexi handed over the reins to Caroline Powell. It was an auspicious start, the pair won Auchinleck advanced, Tetton AI and finished 3rd at Blair CCI*** that Autumn.
He has an unbelievable record at Badminton with 7 consecutive completions and not placing lower than 12th since 2007. If Badminton 2012 hadn’t been cancelled it could have been 8! His Burghley record is just as impressive. With 5 completions, the 3 years he missed were due to Aachen in 2006, Bejing in 2008 and London 2012. In 2010 he won Burghley with a finishing score of 38.7 penalties.
Since 2005 Lenamore has completed two CCI*** events a year without a single sick day inbetween. In fact you’d have to go back to 2007 to find a cross country fault. Lexi, Janie, Caroline and his grooms have learnt that routine is key to all with ‘Ed’. If you look back over his record you will see his Spring season hardly varied from Lincoln, Belton, Badminton.
There is a big misconception that he is not warmed up for dressage which is not quite true….Indeed he has a lot of work at a three day but just not in the last session before his test! His infamous departure from the collecting ring is one of his trademarks. The little 15.3 grey usually towing 2 handlers that tower above him back to the stables!
No one quite like Lenamore…
Statistics can tell a story but not the fairy tale that is Lenamore. He will return to his beloved Mackinnon family base back up North and will stay in light work. No doubt continuing to exercise his firm opinions about life for many years to come.
