Explosion W got a salute worthy of a remarkable show jumper who had won 16 5-stars and individual Olympic gold. as he retired with Ben Maher aboard at the London International Horse Show on Sunday night.
A final gallop around the arena for the retiring Explosion W. (MARS photo)
A sold-out arena cheered him and 6,000 glow sticks were waved in tribute to the Dutch-bred equine hero. Escorted by a troupe of Santa’s elves, Explosion was garlanded with a wreath of carrots and apples. A reward close to the horse’s heart was the tub of carrots he got center ring, and the elegant chestnut didn’t hesitate to grab some.
Explosion W gets a welcome retirement present–carrots. (MARS photo)
Ben, who owns the horse with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, said about the son of Chacco-Blue, “Explosion has been the horse of a lifetime. I always knew he had something special, an incredible will to win and a presence that captured everyone’s attention.
“We have shared some unforgettable moments together and it feels right to celebrate his retirement in front of a home crowd at the London International Horse Show.”
Explosion’s last competition was La Baule, France, in June 2023, when he was injured and did not finish his round. But before that, there were so many triumphs that he truly deserved the accolades rolling out for him as he left the spotlight.
Ben emphasized, “There are no words to explain him. He touched so many lives, in so many ways. He helped me achieve my goals and dreams.”