Sapphire, the Belgian Warmblood mare who carried McLain Ward (USA) to two Olympic Gold medals, has been retired from competition.

In 2011 the now 17-year-old mare strained a check ligament during training. Ward elected to give the mare the remainder of the competition year off to heal.

Sapphire had just returned to competition earlier this year when Ward broke his leg in a fall off another horse.

On May 14 Ward announced the mare’s retirement on his Facebook page

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