Champion Valentino bows out

It’s been a winning combination for many years, but for this champion, it’s time to bow out gracefully.

Brynie and Ebonie Lee congratulate Valentino on his final win. Picture: Lisa Gordon

ONE of the show ring’s great show hunters has retired, going out on a high note with a Grand National Championship garland against the country’s best.

Valentino, a handsome liver chestnut has been Brynie Lee’s show ring partner for six years. “We bought him from Elly Bill in 2015 and he’d competed at medium level dressage, Melbourne royal and a few agricultural shows,” Brynie said.

Her sisters, Ebonie and Tamara, competed on him in rider classes over the years, but Brynie said: “He was always my number one”.

“Val was never an easy horse to get around the ring, he was the one to teach me everything.

Over their time together, the pair had huge success, including as the winning first year Garryowen competitor.

The pair placed third in the open section of the famous event, twice won champion show hunter at Royal Melbourne Show, twice champion at the Sydney Grand National Show and won multiple child and ladies hunter hack classes at royal shows.

“Val also took me to many rider championship successes at the Equestrian Australia Nationals, Royal Shows, and grand nationals,” Brynie said.

He is being retired at the age of 17.

The Lee family runs a professional show horse training stables, and thought they would move Val from the working horse stable to a more peaceful area, but he didn’t agree.

Brynie’s mother Lyn laughed: “He said no way, thank you, and just planted his feet and refused to move”.

“He wanted the same stable, his stable — and who argues with a champion.”

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