It can be announced today that the 17 year old chestnut gelding Apart, has officially retired from the sport of show jumping, a year on from his injury in London. Apart has been one of the most competitive horses for Pieter, and is a horse with huge amounts of intelligence and charisma, his gentle nature meaning he is loved by the whole Devos family including Pieter’s two young children. Apart began his education with Stal Hendrix, who entrusted this superstar to the Devos Stables in 2013. Previously ridden by Caroline, Apart quickly became one of the most talented and important horses in the Devos Stables, and has competed across the world with success in many countries, including wins in the 2018 and 2019 World Cup in Stuttgart, and Sopot. Other CSI5* wins include Berlin, Hamburg and Bordeaux, as well as placings in many international events around the world including Shanghai, Verona, Gotenborg, Basel, Monaco, St Tropez and Madrid to name but a few. 

A year on from an injury at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London, Apart has been spending his time in the field with stablemate Espoir. While there was a small hope he would return to competition, the decision has been made to retire him at the age of 17 - healthy, sound and well, and able to live out the rest of his days in the green fields of Devos Stables. 

Speaking about the special gelding, Pieter said: “Apart has been a horse fundamental to my career and a true sporting partner and teammate in every sense of the word. He always showed such bravery and intelligence in the ring - I trusted him implicitly and I’d like to feel he trusted me too. Together we have made some unforgettable memories and I could not be more proud of everything he has achieved in his career. A huge part of his success was due to his early training with my wife Caroline, and the trust placed in us by Stal Hendrix when he came into our stable - he truly has been a horse of our family, and one who will always be special to all of us. I owe him the biggest of thanks, and so to retire him happy and healthy is the biggest gift I can give him, and the very least I can do. He has already had a year with his field friend Espoir, and so to live out their days together is a fitting final chapter for these two superstars.”