The Badminton 2013 winner, owned by Frances Stead and Russell Hall and ridden by Jock Paget (NZL), enjoyed an official retirement ceremony in the main arena after the end of today’s show jumping phase.

Frances bought the son of Engagement as a three year old, and said: “He’s the most generous horse you could find.” Jock took on the ride in 2007 and in 2010 the pair finished 7th at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

At the London 2012 Olympic Games they placed 10th, winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton the following year and finishing runners up at Burghley 16 months later.

“He changed my life, I’ll miss leaving the cross country start box with those two big ears in front of me,” said Jock.