Former Young Rider European Championship team member Washington 103 has been put to sleep at the age of eighteen. Washington, who was owned by Judy Sharrock, enjoyed many successes with his rider Emily Harris and was a prolific winner at Junior, Young Rider, and Small Tour level.
Born on 7 April 1995, Washington was bred in Germany by Maren Kleine. The Walt Disney I x Goldstein gelding was bought by Judy Sharrock and imported to the UK in 2004.
Washington was a stalwart of the British Dressage under 21s squads. He was shortlisted for five European Championships and represented Great Britain at eleven Junior and Young Rider internationals before giving Emily her first taste of senior international competition at Deauville CDI3* in 2012.
His greatest achievement came in 2010 when he and Emily were crowned Prix St Georges Freestyle Winter Champions just days after returning from the Spanish Sunshine Tour where they were victorious in six Young Rider international classes.
Islay Auty, Chief Junior and Young Rider Selector, paid tribute to Emily’s loyal, long-term partner: 'Washy' as he was affectionately known enabled Emily to make the transition from ponies (she won a bronze medal in 2007 on her pony Don Joshi) to horses. He was an impressive horse and Emily formed a great partnership with him which gave her her first international wins at Young Rider level at the Sunshine Tour in Spain in 2010. That same year saw Emily and Washy represent Great Britain in Kronberg, Germany, as part of the Young Rider team.
“He was such a 'family horse'. Judy Sharrock, his owner, generously supported Emily in every way as Washy's competition rider, while father Andrew (Harris) trained Emily, and mother Alex was always there fulfilling every other capacity as mother's do! Washy had a great life and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Emily said: “Although I am totally heartbroken and already miss him so much, I am overwhelmingly grateful for the time I spent with this amazing character and for everything he gave me. I will never forget how much he always tried for me and the bond we shared.”
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Goodbye Washington
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