The 18-year-old gelding Imerald van’t Voorhof (Emerald x Bacardi Orange de Muze, bred by Frans Voeten), will be retired from the sport next month. Having competed together internationally since 2017, O’Shea and Imerald have recorded wins at venues such as Ocala, North Salem, Calgary, Wellington, Dublin, Hickstead and Lexington.

“Happy 18th Birthday to Imerald!,” O’Shea shared on social media. “He will travel to Upperville Show for the Grand Prix at the start of June and afterwards will be retiring to Trish Hurter’s Stoneleigh Farm and enjoying a very well deserved retirement. He has been an incredible partner throughout the past 9 years. I’m very grateful to Trish Hurter, Andrea Sinner and the Tisbo Family for entrusting such a special horse to me. Thanks to everyone who has been part of his journey, Davide Troncanetti, Paula Moverly, Kelly Fortuna, Collie Valdivia, Craig Bark for shoeing him and Sarah Cohen at Equity Performance Equine for all her veterinary care, to Jaimee Davies, Ruth Poulsen and Louisa Eadie for all the dressage work with him. Lastly, to Doc Rob Holland and the team at Kesmarc for managing his allergies throughout his career.”

At World of Showjumping, we wish Imerald a very happy retirement!