Greatest Horses - Toytown

Toytown was a big chestnut gelding who evented with Zara Phillips in the noughties.  Together they took eventing to a much wider audience.
 

Born in 1992, his sire was an Irish Draught called Tipperary Grey.

Zara's father bought Toytown (known as Noddy) in 1999 when he was a novice eventer, Zara bought him a few months later. 

In 2002 they won the Young Riders section at Bramham and then individual silver at the Europeans.  In 2003 they stepped up to 4 star level at Burghley where they came 2nd.  Unfortunately Toytown was off injured for most of 2004 so missed the Olympics but he was back on form in 2005 when they won the individual and team gold at the Europeans and were 2nd at Luhmuhlen.

In 2006 they again won individual gold at the World Equestrian Games and a team silver.  Followed by another team gold at the Europeans in 2007.  Sadly, the Olympics in 2008 were another disappointment as a last minute injury meant Toytown could not go :(

Toytown was not a very consistent showjumper which made the last day of 3 day events very tense to watch.  He could also be very naughty as he demonstrated in 2007 at the Festival of Eventing when he started rearing in the dressage arena!

He retired in 2011 at Gatcombe and sadly had to be put to sleep this June.

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Until next time!

Jo