Belgium’s Pieter Devos has announced the retirement of the now 17-year-old gelding Espoir (Surcouf de Revel x Laudanum XX – breeder Johan Lannoo), one of his top horses over the last five years. 

In an announcement on his social media channels, Devos writes: "After an incredible career, my team and I have made the decision to retire Espoir at the age of 17; fit, happy and healthy. He has been my lifetime partner, a horse who has taught me so much. One with the biggest heart, and the one who has proven that if you listen - truly listen - believe, and work together, you can achieve unimaginable things. I hope you can find the time to watch this film about him; he truly deserves to be celebrated as the special horse he is. I believe he can remind us all why we love our horses so much. Espoir, thank you."

With Devos in the saddle, Espoir represented Belgium at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018, and at the European Championships in Gothenburg in 2017 – where the pair finished 5th individually. The two also jumped at the World Cup Final in Paris in 2018, and at the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in 2017. 

Together, Devos and Espoir won the CSI5* Grand Prix in Doha in 2019, the CSI5* World Cup in Bordeaux in 2018, the CSI5* Grand Prix in Oslo in 2016 and the CSI3* Grand Prix in Liege in 2016. The two also recorded big wins in Basel, Beervelde, Drachten, Hamburg, Mechelen and St. Tropez as well as podium finishes at venues such as Cannes, Doha, Geneva, Knokke, Madrid and New York. 

Before Devos took over the reins in 2015, Espoir was competed successfully by Belgium's Olivier Seynhaeve.

At World of Showjumping we wish Espoir a happy retirement!