US Olympian Kasey Perry-Glass Announces Official Retirement of Goerklintgaards Dublet 

Sacramento, Calif. – July 29, 2020 – U.S. Olympic team bronze medalist Kasey Perry-Glass announced on her social media Wednesday, Aug. 29, that she has made the decision to retire her longtime mount, Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 17-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding owned by Diane Perry. Dublet (Diamond Hit—La Costa, Ferro) had a fulfilling career with Perry-Glass, earning many accomplishments including medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet

In her statement, Perry-Glass wrote:

“I imagined that today I would be waking up and preparing myself to ride Dublet down centerline in Tokyo for one final freestyle as a competitive pair, but instead I come on here today to announce Dublet’s retirement with both a heavy but joyful heart. The past almost decade with Dublet has changed not only my life but everyone’s around us. He has given all of us inspiration, hope, love, beauty, and a sense of belief that everything and anything is possible. He has taught me to listen to my gut and I’ve learned to listen to what is best for him. We have been through so many ups and downs, countries, stadiums, award ceremonies, and quiet one-on-one times together. It is hard for me to believe that this chapter of our journey is closing, but it calms my heart knowing that another chapter is opening in our relationship. I am so excited to take what Dublet has taught me and apply it to a pipeline of future horses!

When I look back on our journey I see more than just his accolades and the ones he has given me. I see a horse with a huge heart to please, love, and try his hardest in everything he does. He doesn’t owe me anything and now I owe him the best retirement a horse deserves! I have come to the conclusion that pursuing another year at the elite level is not in his best interest. Representing the USA has been one of the greatest honors of our partnership. We never took it for granted and did it with pride. Obviously this is a lot harder for me than it is for him; he thinks he has the life with all-day turnout and easy rides. Horses teach us to take our own ambition and greed and put it to the side.” 

Though the dark bay gelding didn’t strike her fancy when she first laid eyes on him at Andreas Helgstrand’s barn in Denmark, the moment she sat on him, she knew Dublet was the one. They started their international career strong by winning their FEI debut in the small tour in 2013 and continued to rack up numerous top placings and consistently high scores in the Intermediate I and Prix St. Georges for three years. In the winter season of 2016, the pair made their Grand Prix debut, having little idea they would be selected to represent the U.S. throughout the summer. They helped Team USA claim the gold medal at the CDIO5* Nations Cup in Compiègne, France, with a personal best score and they were selected to compete on the team for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil, where they earned a team bronze medal — breaking a 12 year medal drought for the U.S.

Following a break after the Olympic Games, Dublet returned to the show ring in 2017, placing seventh at the FEI World Cup Finals in Omaha, Nebraska with a 77.06%. The consistent duo also rode away with the Grand Prix National Championship title at The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions in Gladstone, New Jersey.

They had a standout year in 2018 receiving a personal best score of 85.205% in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the prestigious CDIO5* Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany, helping the U.S. Team earn the silver medal. In addition, they were members of the silver medal-winning team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina.

In what turned out to be his final competition, Dublet represented the American contingency at the FEI World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden, finishing in fifth place with an 84.975%. At the end of their career, Dublet represented the U.S. in eight Nations Cup competitions and won 12 CDI Grand Prix division classes.

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