Friday, 04 September 2026
On Sunday 23 August, following their Grade 1 freestyle test at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany, an emotional Mari Durward-Akhurst announced the retirement of her 19-year-old equine partner for the past three years, Athene Lindebjerg.
Owned by Diane (“Di”) Redfern, Danish-bred Athene has had one of the longest and most decorated careers in para dressage. Over 11 years and six championships, she has won a total of 13 medals for her country across European and World Championships and Paralympic Games, fulfilling the dreams of three different athletes on the international stage.
Sired by the great Grand Prix stallion Gribaldi out of a Diamant mare, Athene began her dressage career with Jessica Thompson in 2014, competing at Novice and Elementary level. She made her para dressage debut in May 2015 with Sophie Christiansen and they remained virtually unbeaten throughout their partnership, which included the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where they won triple gold in what was then Grade 1A. Their freestyle test produced the highest mark of the whole competition (79.7%).
In 2017, her reins were passed to Julie Payne, who was also a Grade 1 athlete. After just one international outing at Hartpury CPEDI3*, they were selected for the FEI Para Dressage European Championship in Gothenberg, Sweden, where they took three gold medals. Once again, Athene achieved the highest mark of the championship, this time with 78.1% in the team test.
In 2018, Athene had a period away from the competition arena, during which time she gave birth to two foals and produced a further two by surrogate.
Her maternity leave came to an end in June 2023, when Di offered her to Mari Durward-Akhurst, who she had known since childhood through South Bucks RDA, which is based at Di’s property.
“I went to try Athene and fell in love instantly,” said Mari at the time. “I’d seen and heard so much about her, so to be on her was incredible. Riding her was even more amazing than watching her – I mean, that walk!
“From the first ride we started to form a partnership, and with the help of my coach Rob Waine, it wasn’t long before we were out competing together.”
The pair had one international outing that year, to Hartpury CPEDI3*, where they finished third in all three tests. They were later crowned Grade 1 national champions in September 2023.
Mari soon gave Athene the nickname of “The Duchess” and said on many occasions that ‘carrots were her wages’, in reference to her favourite treat.
After a winter spent consolidating their partnership, Mari and Athene returned to the white boards in 2024 with their eyes firmly fixed on selection for Paris 2024. Of their five international outings, they never finished outside the top three and, by June, had climbed to the top of the world rankings, holding the position until September.
Selection for her second Paralympic Games meant that Athene helped Mari achieve her childhood dream of becoming a Paralympic medallist, when they picked up freestyle bronze together. It was also Mari’s first individual championship medal, following the team silver that she won with Sky O’Hara in 2019.
Mari and Athene were back on the British team the following year for the FEI European Championships in Ermelo, the Netherlands. They helped the team to fourth place, before going on to claim two bronze medals in the individual and freestyle ranks.
Somewhat surprisingly, there was one career box still to be ticked for Athene and Mari was determined to give it to her – an FEI World Championships. A stellar selection campaign included 11 consecutive wins across three international starts and a huge personal best of 83.867% in the freestyle at Hartpury CPEDI3* in April 2026, so their ticket to Aachen was duly secured.
While it might not have been the fairytale gold medal finish that Mari and her team were hoping for in Aachen, Athene finally added that elusive World Championship medal to her collection – an individual silver.
“This is her last competition – she’s retiring now,” Mari announced after their freestyle test. “I’d have liked to have gone out with a different kind of bang, but she’ll be remembered for life now. Honestly, with everything she’s given me – my first Paralympics, my first individual medal at the Paralympics, Europeans and Worlds – she’s just incredible. I can’t thank Di, Romilly and South Bucks RDA for everything because it’s been amazing,”
Later, in a social media tribute once she was back in the UK, Mari added:
“Athene, thank you for turning dreams I only once imagined into reality. Before I met you, I dreamed of going to the Paralympics and winning my first individual championship medals. You made all of that happen and so much more.
“When I got the ride on you in 2023, you had been away from the sport for five years. Within a year, we were back competing at the highest level. What followed was the most incredible chapter of my life.
“You have been my teammate, my teacher, my confidence, my challenge and my friend. You have taught me patience, given me belief in myself and, most importantly, always given me everything you had. I will forever be grateful that our paths crossed.”
Athene will now spend her days at her home at South Bucks RDA in Buckinghamshire, cared for by volunteer Romilly Hart, who has been part of her support team at the past three championships.
“Horses like Athene rarely come along – she has been a glittering stalwart of British teams for more than a decade,” commented Para Dressage Performance Manager Georgina Sharples.
“She spent her career realising the dreams of multiple para dressage riders. To reinvent herself after having foals, when the sport had moved on so much, is nothing short of remarkable. She is an exceptional mare – British teams will miss her, the sport of para dressage will miss her, and we give our most heartfelt thanks to owner Di Redfern for entrusting her to us and this incredible journey.
All at British Equestrian would like to wish Athene a long, happy retirement and thank her for everything she has given the British team during her long career.