Blyth Tait and Xanthus III. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
While competing at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, New Zealand this week, eventing legend and four-time Olympian Blyth Tait announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 58.
“The likelihood of me competing again overseas is unlikely, I’m very happy to hand over the reins to the younger ones coming through and I support them fully,” Blyth said in a press conference at the HOY show. “There is a bright future and still some serious young talent out there.”
Blyth Tait enjoyed a career worth a thousand stories, first splashing onto the international scene in the 90s with an individual and a team gold medal in Stockholm at the 1990 FEI World Equestrian Games aboard Messiah. Blyth went on to win four Olympic medals and also finished first and second in a dramatic Burghley competition in 1998. He would also win Burghley for a second time in 2001 with perhaps his best-known partner, Reddy Teddy.
Blyth hung up his boots once before, following the 2004 Olympics, spending some time as a coach and team manager for the Kiwi team through the 2006 WEG and 2008 Olympics, but returned to have a second go at the top levels in 2011. We were privileged to see Blyth come to the U.S. to compete at Kentucky in 2016 with Xanthus III. Not to worry, as we certainly haven’t seen the last of the New Zealand rider in the irons — he says he’ll be doing some show jumping going forward.
Many thanks and cheers for the memories, Blyth. It’s been a true honor. Enjoy a few highlight reels from Blyth’s storied career:
