Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Today, Tuesday 14 April, Gabriella Blake has announced the retirement of her Grade 1 para dressage partner, Strong Beau.
The 17-year-old gelding – who belongs to Gabby alongside her parents, Gavin and Estelle – represented Great Britain at two senior championships. He cut a distinctive figure in the upper echelons of the sport, being a 15hh Connemara X, and was well-known for his cheeky personality and presence in the arena.
Beau and Gabby’s partnership began in 2018, when the grey gelding stepped down from a career in eventing. They started competing internationally together the following year and finished first in all three tests at their first CPEDI2* at Bishop Burton.
"When I got him, he wasn't really anything – I got him from a sales livery and nobody wanted me to buy him, but I knew there and then that this was it,” explained Gabby last year. “I’ve gone a long way to get him to where he is today, but he is my horse of a lifetime. Every time I say that, I get emotional. He's literally my dream horse and he looks after me beyond anything."
The pair made their senior championship debut in 2023, when they headed to the FEI Para Dressage European Championship at Riesenbeck, Germany. They picked up individual and team bronze and finished fourth in the Grand Prix Freestyle. The following year, they appeared on the nominated entry list for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Last year, they were back on the British team at the FEI Para Dressage European Championship, where they finished fifth in the Grand Prix A, fourth in the Grand Prix B and fifth in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
“There are no words to describe how much Beau, my unicorn, has meant and given to me,” said an emotional Gabby on social media. “He has been my freedom, my legs, my best friend and teacher. He has given me the confidence to enter the world of para dressage and compete against the best in the world.
“We have had the most amazing competitive eight years together and I have learned so much from him. He was not your typical dressage horse, but he has always had such presence and tried his heart out for me, and for that I am eternally grateful. He was never short on character – a cheeky chap with a spring in his step – and that has not changed heading into his retirement.
“I feel the time has come to do the best for him – he owes me nothing and given me everything. He will be hard to replace, but the search is on for my next unicorn. Thank you Beau.”
All at British Equestrian would like to wish Beau a long, happy retirement and thank him for everything he and Gabby have given the British team during their time together.