Danish Grand Prix rider Lone Bang Larsen has decided to retire her number one horse Fitou L. The former Danish team horse is 17 years old and he has not been competing internationally for more than a year.
The Danish warmblood Fitou L (by Florestan x May Sherif) is bred by Karsten Bundgaard and was trained by Lone Bang Larsen since he was a youngster.
The two began their competition career as a duo in 2004. They finished 5th at the 2004 Danish Young Horse Championships and represented the Danish warmblood society at the 2004 World Young Horse Championships in Verden, where they finished 6th in the consolation finals. In 2005 they were more successful at the World Championships and placed 12th in the 6-year old finals after winning the consolation round.
The pair made its international Grand Prix debut in 2010 at the World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg. They were immediately in the running for a Danish team spot for the 2010 World Equestrian Games
Fitou L has been plagued by niggling injuries his entire Grand Prix career. He missed the entire 2011 show season, but came back in June 2012 to show only once at the 2012 Nordic Baltic Championships, where they won team and individual gold. Then it took until March 2013 for them to return to the show ring.
2013 would be their most successful year, representing Denmark on home turf at the 2013 European Championships in Herning. In 2014 they only did two CDI shows: Doha (March) and Aachen (July), but in June that year claimed the 2014 Danish National Grand Prix Champion's title in Broholm.
Seven months after Aachen, in February 2015, they competed at their final international, where it had all started: the CDI-W Gothenburg.
Bang Larsen announced the horse's retirement on Facebook.
"Today I made the decision to retire Fitou. It's been a very tough decision, as he always loves to work and is so fantastic to ride," said Bang Larsen. "I've been very much in doubt about when the time was right, but this year Fitou will be 17 (editor's note: Lone wrote 16) and he made so many dreams come true. I have enjoyed every ride and experience with him, it has been absolutely fantastic. Now Fitou enjoy his retirement at the farm, where he of course will still be king of the barn."
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Fitou L
Lone Bang Larsen Wins 2014 Danish Dressage Championships
Lone Bang Larsen Comes Back with a Bang at the 2013 CDI Hagen
Scores: 2012 Nordic Baltic Championships
Lone Bang Larsen, Pregnant But Aiming for 2010 WEG
Scores: 2005 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses
Scores: 2004 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses
Danish Combinations for 2004 World Young Horse Championships
Tardi, Schianto and Clearwater, 2004 Danish Young Horse Champions