Romeo 88 retires from top sport
Olympic gold medallist ends career on a high with Harry Charles
April 5, 2025 at 2:14 AMBy s.wilhelm
British show jumper Harry Charles has announced the retirement of his longtime partner Romeo 88, the 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Contact van de Heffinck x Orlando, who competed at two Olympic Games and helped secure team gold in Paris 2024.
Owned by Ann Thompson, Romeo 88 has been a key horse in Charles’s string for the past five years, delivering standout performances at World Cup Finals, World Championships, and top-level Grand Prix events. He now retires at the height of his career and will return to the U.S. to join former stablemate Balou du Reventon.
Charles shared the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the gelding’s exceptional career and partnership:
“Romeo will return to his old friend Balou in the USA, where he will enjoy a wonderful retirement… He truly deserves it.”
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