It’s the end of an era for Erin Sylvester and Jill Tallman’s No Boundaries, who has officially been retired from competition. The 15-year-old Thoroughbred/Trakehner gelding, who finished last season as the 2014 USEA Horse of the Year, completed 25 FEI competitions during his career, including five CCI4* and four CCI3* events.
His four-star career highlights include finishing sixth last year at Pau CCI4* and 13th at Rolex CCI4* in 2012. Erin and “Bucky” also completed Burghley in 2012. They finished in the top 20 at Fair Hill CCI3* twice, and finished fourth at Bromont CCI3* in 2014 and seventh at Jersey Fresh CCI3* in 2011. Erin and Bucky also finished third at Plantation Field CIC3* in 2013.
“I can honestly say Bucky has loved competing at the upper levels, and I am very sad to see the end of his career, as I have dreaded this day,” Erin said. “However, I am glad to be able to retire him on my farm where he can enjoy his years and hopefully teach his younger pasture mates the ropes.”
Erin and Bucky have been a very familiar combination on the upper-level circuit in the U.S. for the past six years. Those who know Bucky can’t help but smile when thinking of his on-again, off-again relationship with dressage and the sheer joy on his face when he went cross country. This horse adored his job, and all of his quirks only made Erin and his co-owner Jill Tallman love him more.
“I cannot thank Jill enough for supporting Bucky through so many achievements,” Erin said. “I would also like to thank everyone who has cared for him, endured his face punches, tolerated his feral behavior, cheered us on and been involved in his incredible career. And of course, I would like to thank Bucky for all he has done and for the many wonderful memories we have shared.”
Click below to watch a tribute video for Bucky compiled by Tori Kager, and keep scrolling to see a photo gallery from their career together. We wish Bucky all the best in retirement and good luck to Erin as she looks to purchase some new young horses to fill Bucky’s shoes.
[No Boundaries to Retire from Competition]