H&C is warmed to hear that Escapado, the stunning gelding who helped Carl Hester become a horsey household name, has been retired and will spend his golden years living happily again with Carl at his Gloucestershire yard.

Escapado has been ridden by Hans Peter Minderhoud in recent years and Carl picked him up from the Netherlands on Sunday. 

'I owe him so much'

"I owe so much to Escapado," Hans Peter told Eurodressage.com. "He enabled my transistion to Grand Prix and I was able to ride beautiful shows with him. I am very happy that Escapado returns to Carl where he can enjoy his retirement."

Best of Brits

Carl and Escapdo finished best of British in 13th at the 2004 Athens Olympics, before taking fifth at the 2005 European Championships.