After a long and successful career, Luciana Diniz's Winningmood (Darco x Cassini I) retires from the sport at the age of 19. The stallion will do his last appearance in the ring this weekend, during the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Paris. 

Winningmood started his international career with Ludo Philippaerts in the saddle, before he was sold to Edouard de Rothschild and Diniz took over the reins in 2009. Together, Diniz and Winningmood have had a fantastic career with major Grand Prix wins from Vienna (2015) and Madrid (2015) to look back at. With Diniz, Winningmood competed at the 2009 European Championships at Windsor, the 2011 European Championships in Madrid and the 2013 European Championships in Herning as well as at the 2010 and 2011 World Cup Finals. The stallion also participated at the 2009 World Cup Final with Philippaerts. 

On her Instagram page, Diniz announced the retirement writing: "The art of riding with Winningmood in Paris for the last time. He is 19 years of age, still full of power and will be starting soon a new adventure phase of his life only as a breeding stallion at the Haras du Meautry in Deauville. Do you think an active horse like him, will be happy in his new life?"

You can read more about Winningmood's journey from a youngster to international Grand Prix horse via this link. 

We wish Winningmood a happy retirement!

Text and picture © World of Showjumping.com