Adrienne Lyle Announces Wizard's Retirement - The Chronicle of the Horse

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Adrienne Lyle Announces Wizard’s Retirement

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games dressage competitor Adrienne Lyle announced the retirement of Wizard, her Olympic and World Games partner, on Jan. 22. The 16-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Weltmeyer—Pica, Classiker) is owned by Peggy Thomas.

Highlights of Lyle and Wizard's long partnership include representing the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games as individuals, as well as at the 2014 World Games in Normandy, France, where they contributed to a fourth-placed team finish. They were the 2008 USEF Brentina Cup champions.

PUBLISHED

January 22, 2015
8:10 am

WORDS BY

Edited Press Release

Adrienne Lyle's World Games and Olympic Games partner Wizard has been retired due to a suspensory injury. Photo by Shannon Brinkman for Phelps Media Group.

Highlights of Lyle and Wizard’s long partnership include representing the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games as individuals, as well as at the 2014 World Games in Normandy, France, where they contributed to a fourth-placed team finish. They were the 2008 USEF Brentina Cup champions.

“Wizard enjoys being turned out and goes in turnout daily,” said Lyle, 30. “One day this winter after coming in to be ridden, he just didn’t feel right. After having our vet here in Florida evaluate him, it looks to be a strain in a suspensory.

“Everyone involved in Wizard’s life wants his health and happiness to be our No. 1 priority,” she continued. “The Thomas family, Debbie McDonald and I made a decision that we would not push Wizard’s rehab to be ready to try for the [FEI] World Cup Final this year. Given Wizard’s age, we have made the decision to get him happy and comfortable and give him the retirement he deserves.”

Lyle, who’s McDonald’s assistant trainer, and Wizard’s parternership started in 2007. In addition to their international resume, the pair won last season’s Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI***** (Fla.) Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special.

“For the past eight years, I have had the amazing support of the Thomas family, who allowed me to ride Wizard and compete him around the country and around the world. I have had Debbie McDonald’s incredible coaching every step of the way, as well as Bob McDonald running the farm and handling the logistics of Wizard’s jet-setting life. Wizard took me around the world to places I never thought I’d get to be.

“I am eternally grateful to all of those involved in Wizard’s career for allowing me to have this amazing journey with him. He will return with me to the Thomases’ River Grove Farm in Idaho and join Brentina in her retirement there,” she continued.