Nottuln, October 2016 – Patrik Kittel posted on his website that the 16 year-old Swedish Warmblood Toy Story (s. Come Back II) will be retired from the sport, after a lot of successes together: “The big boy Toy can enjoy his retirement a little earlier than expected, but none the less well deserved. Toy surpassed all our expectations. Originally purchased for my wife Lyndal, Toy was Lyndals second Grand Prix horse, and competed with success at national level. The big power pack was not the best match for Lyndal, and so with the support of Lyndals parents became a horse for me. Toy went on to win two Swedish Championships, represent Sweden in the European Championships in Herning, win several World Cup Qualifiers and for a long time held his own in amongst the Worlds best, even reaching the top 30.
Problems with his digestion and weight have plagued Toy for some time, and the decision was made to let him live outside with his golden oldies and enjoy grass feeding and a time away from riding and competition. Toy has sadly not returned to his old self, and with a heavy heart we made the decision in his best interests to retire from competition. Toy was always larger than life. To ride he was quirky and full of cheek, and had his own mind, which is why I love him so much. Once he entered the arena no one tried harder than Toy. He never wanted to make a mistake and loved all the attention, growing with confidence and pride with the more audience the better. He is always chatty, and calls out to chat all the time and meet us when we enter the stables, no matter the hour. He is the big giant with the gentle soul. Now king of the kids, Toy happily joins our other old Grand Prix horses who have done so much for myself and my wife and have deserved the happiest of retirements – Pasteur, Potifar, Scandic and Weltspiel!.”
12th October 2016