Liz Diegutis' Saskia Hit Retired from Sport

Dressage

Great Britain

British Grand Prix rider Elisabeth "Liz" Diegutis has retired her number one international Grand Prix horse Saskia Hit from sport.

Saskia Hit is a 17-year old Oldenburg mare by Sandro Hit out of Askona (by Akzent I x Dulder x Wulf). She is bred by Diegutis in partnership with Karen Ryecart.

Home Bred

Diegutis, who originally learnt dressage from Jennie Loriston Clarke and represented Great Britain in European Championships at Junior and Young Rider level, bred Saskia Hit herself. The mare was born in 2005.

Nicknamed "Princess", Saskia Hit was first shown in the U.K. in 2010 as a 5-year old by Beth Bainbridge, before Liz began campaigning her in August of that year.

Move to Germany

Diegutis moved to Germany in 2012 and spent four year riding and training there. She was based in Iserlohn.

Her first competition with Saskia Hit in Germany was in 2013 when the mare was 8. She started at M-level and in 2014 she moved to small tour level. by 2015 was doing her first short Grand Prix tests in Ankum and Bielefeld.

Six-Year CDI Career

The pair made its international Grand Prix debut at the 2016 CDI Cappeln, where they were 10th in the Grand Prix with 66.620%.

Diegutis and Saskia Hit competed at CDI big tour level for six years in total. In 2017 they were in Pompadour and Hartpury, in 2018 they campaigned in Keysoe, Hartpury and Hickstead. 2019 was their busiest year when they showed at Keysoe, Uggerhalne, Hartpury and Hickstead. In 2020 there was another start at Keysoe.

The pair's last international was in May 2021 at the CDI Wellington Heckfield, but they were rung out. Their international Grand Prix high score was 67.800%.

Retirement to the Field

A few weeks ago, Diegutis made the decision to retire Saskia Hit from Sport.

"It was emotional when I made the decision because we have had a very long and successful partnership together and it’s the end of an era now for me with both my Grand Prix mares now retired," said the Stockbridge based Diegutis, who also competed Grand Prix horse Ruby at national level. "On the other hand seeing her fat and hairy now going back out in the field she is so happy and relaxed it literally makes my heart melt."

Liz explained that Saskia Hit developed arthritis and that the mare was no longer able to give it her all under saddle.

"She has always been an opinionated lady and not the easiest at the shows but together we worked all the way up the levels," said Diegutis. "Together we achieved a Dream of representing Great Britain on a Nations cup senior team. It wasn’t our best show (thanks to the black flappy strap) but it was an awesome time achieving my red Union Jack badge and being on a team again."

Liz says she's grateful "for the fun and achievements you gave me and what a ride we had. You kept that sassy attitude from foal to the last show but now you have turned into a very happy easy going fat hairy old girl."