Olympic Gold Medalist Uthopia To Be Sold at Auction

Carl Hester and Uthopia at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Photo by Susan J. Stickle.
Carl Hester and Uthopia at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Photo by Susan J. Stickle.

April 28, 2016 – Carl Hester’s Olympic partner Uthopia will be sold May 27 at public auction. This development follows a long period of uncertainty and legal disputes surrounding the horse’s ownership. A statement by British Dressage on behalf of Hester indicated the stallion will be sold by Wilsons Auctions as part of their Prestige Auction. There will be no reserve price.

Uthopia will be sold by Tom Keenan of Keenan Corporate Finance and James Neill of HNH Group. Keenan and Neill have joint ownership of Uthopia due to their roles as trustees in bankruptcy over the two separate bankruptcy estates of Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison. Online bidding will be available. The auction will also include a selection of supercars, prestige jewelry, watches, designer goods and more.

Uthopia, a 15-year-old licensed KWPN stallion (Metall-Odelia, Inspekteur), is best known for contributing to the British team’s gold medal finish at the 2012 London Olympic Games with Hester in the saddle. Hester and Uthopia were key members of the gold medal team at the 2011 European Championships, where they won two individual silver medals, and the bronze medal team at the 2013 European Championships.

Charlotte Dujardin has also competed Uthopia over the past few years, including in his most recent start, the Amsterdam CDI-W, Jan. 29-30, 2016. A plan for the pair to contest the 2016 Reem Acra World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, was scrapped due to ownership disputes.

Hester found Uthopia as a 4-year-old and brought him up through the ranks. Current FEI records indicate Hester and Stewart as the co-owners of Uthopia since September 14, 2011, although Hester has now announced that he no longer possesses part ownership of the horse. Prior to 2011, Stewart and Harrison were listed as co-owners from Jan. 5, 2009, until April 1, 2010, when Hester was listed as sole owner for a year and a half.

“It’s been a distressing experience for us all and with a very unhappy end,” Hester said. “‘Uti’ has been part of the family for 11 years and is a yard favorite. Quite simply, I’m appalled that it’s come down to this.”

He added, “I’m already working hard to find backers to help me buy him and give him the very best care in retirement he deserves. I owe him so much and my immediate concern is for the horse’s welfare. I just want him home to spend the rest of his days at our yard, cared for by those who adore him.”

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