At the end of September it was announced that the now 16-year-old stallion Utamaro d'Ecaussines (Diamant de Semilly x Quidam de Revel) was to be retired from the sport, to focus on his breeding career at Zangersheide Stud in Lanaken, Belgium. 

For years, Utamaro d'Ecaussines was one of the most successful horses on the international circuit – first with Joe Clee in the saddle, then with William Whitaker before Niels Bruynseels took over the reins. Utamaro d'Ecaussines jumped at the 2014 World Equestrian Games and at the 2015 European Championships with Clee, and at the 2017 European Championships as well as the 2018 World Equestrian Games with Whitaker. With numerous double clear Nations Cups rounds as well as several top Grand Prix results on his record, Utamaro d'Ecaussines has a fantastic career to look back at – in 2018 he won the Longines FEI World Cup of London with Whitaker in the saddle. 

With this photo special, we look back at some of the many highlights in Utamaro's career as we wish him a happy retirement. 

 Photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.