A giant of showjumping, Eva Möller, has decided to hang up her saddle and pass her legacy on to her students and trainees. The legendary equestrian will not be competing in events anymore. With a showjumping career that spanned over four decades, the 50-year-old rider has left an unquestionable mark on the equestrian community.

Eva Möller, who grew up in Goch, Germany, achieved various accolades at the Bundeschampionate and World Young Horse Championships and is known to be one of the best Young Horse riders in the history of the competition. Her legacy is tremendous, a fact that makes her retirement the only sore spot in an otherwise stellar career.

Legendary rider Eva Möller ready to hang up her riding boots

Möller grew up under the tutelage of a family that was intricately involved with horses. Her parents, father Klaus-Dieter and mother Wilma bred horses, and hence, knew a thing or two about them. Under their guidance, Eva started her career at the age of 14. After meeting her husband, Dr. Ulf Möller, Eva was introduced to her new mount, Boution, which had been bred by Ulf’s father. Atop Buoton, Eva Möller won the 1997 Bundeschampionate. After Eva and Ulf got married in 1998, they were hired as riders by Hof Kasselmann in Hagen, Germany.

For the next two decades, their life at Hagen involved riding horses that were top-of-the-line, which ensured that Eva was able to attach many titles and medals to her name. What really made Eva’s mark in the world of competitive horse riding was an event that took place in the year 2009. Riding Blickpunkt to the finish line, she earned a bronze medal at that year’s World Young Horse Championships. In 2010, she went back to the World Young Horse Championships and won another bronze for her efforts. One of her most notable achievements was bringing a young horse, Bordeaux, to the competitive level of a Grand Prix. In 2015, they rode their first Intermediaire II and National Grand Prix together. In the 2018 World Young Horse Championships, she rode Candy to attain a bronze.

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At the 2019 Bundeschampionate, she managed to get the gold after riding Valverde. When the 2023 selections for the World Young Horse Championships began, Eva Möller was strikingly missing from the lot. According to a report by Eurodressage, Eva revealed that she had decided to retire from her successful career. She said, “I became 50 this year and was thinking it was a good time to pass the reins over to our ‘young guns’. I had the pleasure to ride wonderful horses and had so many champions, but there is a time for everything!” Her announcement has sent a wave of nostalgia and remembrance through her fans.

Internet reacts to the departure of an icon

Upon hearing the news of her retirement, a fan congratulated her on her accomplishments, and said, “Wow massive congratulations and what a tribute to the sport”. Another commentator expressed their awe at her accolades and said, “Such a gifted rider, trainer and horse person! Incredible career”. Someone promptly praised her showjumping skills, and wrote, “Fantastic career! Loved watching her present horses. She is a master. Best wishes”.

A fan also expressed a heartfelt wish to see her on the field again, and said, “An incredible horsewoman, trainer and rider. A true genuine legend. I hope we see her still ride a little bit, even if it’s not in young horse competitions”. Someone also commented on her poise, and wrote, “She will be missed. Her beautiful profile on a horse defines a body for riding. What a pleasure and privilege to have been able to watch her ride over so many years.” Her decision to retire might come at an appropriate time, but Eva has left a huge hole in the hearts of everyone who loved to watch her ride.

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