Top U.S. dressage rider Kasey Perry-Glass announced on July 29 that her Olympic and World Equestrian Games mount Goerklintgaards Dublet has retired.

“I imagined that today I would be waking up and preparing myself to ride Dublet down centerline in Tokyo for one final freestyle as a competitive pair, but instead I come on here today to announce Dublet’s retirement with both a heavy but joyful heart,” Perry-Glass wrote on Facebook. “The past almost decade with Dublet has changed not only my life but everyone’s around us. He has given all of us inspiration, hope, love, beauty, and a sense of belief that everything and anything is possible. He has taught me to listen to my gut, and I’ve learned to listen to what is best for him.”

Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (N.C.). Kimberly Loushin Photo

Perry-Glass’ mother Diane Perry purchased the now 17-year-old Danish Warmblood (Diamond Hit—La Costa, Ferro) in the fall of 2012. “Dublet” was the reserve champion in the 5-year-old championships at the Danish Warmblood Young Horse Championships and had competed through fourth level with Andreas Helgstrand. Perry-Glass debuted the gelding at small tour at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Florida) in early 2013.

In 2017, they became the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Champions at The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (New Jersey). The pair made their international team championship debut in 2016 at the Rio Olympic Games (Brazil), where they helped the U.S. team score a bronze medal. They were members of the silver medal-winning team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (North Carolina) and competed in the FEI World Cup Final in 2017 and 2019. The 2019 FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden,  was Dublet’s last competition.

“When I look back on our journey I see more than just his accolades and the ones he has given me,” Perry-Glass wrote. “I see a horse with a huge heart to please, love, and try his hardest in everything he does. He doesn’t owe me anything and now I owe him the best retirement a horse deserves! I have come to the conclusion that pursuing another year at the elite level is not in his best interest. Representing the USA has been one of the greatest honors of our partnership. We never took it for granted and did it with pride.”

If you’d like to learn more about Dublet, go behind the stall door with him.