Olympic Bronze medalist Sultan V returns to Great Britain’s Bruce Menzies…
It’s official, the top Saudi Equestrian’s horse Sultan V has been reunited with his former rider Bruce Menzies. Sultan V and Menzies enjoyed considerable success and were considered serious contenders for the 2012 London Olympics before The Old Lodge home-bred moved to the Saudi Arabian team ahead of the Games. The son of Irco Mena has since been competed by WEG Silver Medalist Abdullah Al Sharbatly of the Saudi Equestrian Team.
The 13 year old gelding has been competing with Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Sharbatly for the last three years. Sharbatly achieved great results with Sultan V including a Team Bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The pair went on to win the 2013 Morocco Royal Tour 2013 as well.
Bruce produced the grey gelding for five years and together represented Great Britain on a number of occasions, including Nations Cup events at Gijon (ES), Falsterbo (SWE), Lummen (BEL) and Lisbon (POR) in 2011.
“I am quietly confident he will get back jumping and we’ll do everything we can”
says Menzies. “He deserves to have a good time and enjoy himself”
“Sultan was officially retired by me and Saudi Equestrian a few months ago, he has some issues which already stop him from competing at the top level” stated Sharbatly in his official press release.
“Our decision was to retire him from the sport because of his bad health condition, we could have brought him back in from the field but we respect and honor him for his glorious achievements. Sultan has issues and deserves to rest now” said Sharbatly.
However, Menzies and his team are confident that the gelding will return to the sport. “I am quietly confident he will get back jumping and we’ll do everything we can. He deserves to have a good time and enjoy himself” said Menzies to Horse & Hound Magazine.
“He had a long journey back here and had to spend a while in quarantine. My vet is confident he will make a full recovery,” added Menzies.
Source: Press Release/Horse & Hound