Sam Griffiths and Happy Times at the 2012 Olympics in London.
© Franz Venhaus
By Equestrian Life
The well-known four-star eventer, Happy Times, was retired in a ceremony at Burghley Horse Trials last weekend aged 19.
The horse was ridden throughout his career by Australian event rider and 2018 WEG representative Sam Griffiths, and is owned by Sam, Dinah Posford and Juliet Donald.
The pair trotting up at London in 2012.
© Franz Venhaus
The horse has had a long and successful career, with his first big success being a fourth place in the Seven-Year-Old World Championship at Le Lion d’Angers in 2006. The horse also won the CCI3* in Saumur and CIC3* classes at Belton and Chatsworth. In 4* events, Happy Times finished third at Badminton and Burghley in 2009, fourth at Badminton in 2011 and third at Burghley in 2014. The horse also had a further four top 20 places at Badminton and Burghley.
On course at London in 2012.
© Franz Venhaus
Sam also rode Happy Times at WEG in 2014 and the London Olympics in 2012. The horse retired from top level competition last year, but still competed in one-day events. When Sam was out of action through injury, fellow Australian Shane Rose took over the reins and won an Advanced class Gatcombe’s Festival of British Eventing last year.
Enjoy your retirement, Happy Times!
Sam and Happy Times, 2015.
© Kit Houghton
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