Brazil’s Karina Johannpeter has announced the retirement of her long-time partner Casper (Concetto I x Grannus, bred by Gerd Sosath), now 17. 

Johannpeter and Casper have been a pair since 2015. Since then they have represented Brazil in several Nations Cups at venues such as La Baule, Rotterdam, Samorin, St. Gallen, Spruce Meadows, Sopot as well as in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona.

“I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to ride such a great horse, with such an amazing character and all the scope,” Johannpeter comments. “It’s a privilege to build up such a partnership of trust and jump the same horse for over five years on top level. We riders know that those special horses don’t cross our paths very often.”

“I always said that Casper will let me know when he wants to retire,” Johannpeter says. “As he finished so well in Gijon last year, I decided to give him a show break during the winter and start up again in Spain this year for our last season together. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic the decision was made. We have taken our time and prepared Casper for his new retirement life. It’s not easy for a top athlete to get retired, but I think he is ready to enjoy it now. I would like to thank everybody that contributed to our success during all those incredible years, and of course Casper too.”