Pint-sized Olympic event horse retires: ‘He’s a true legend’

Photo: Steve Parsons/PA Archive/PA Images

Irish eventer Camilla Speirs is retiring of her top horse Portersize Just A Jiff from competition.

‘True legend’

Standing at only 15.1hh, what the 18-year-old Irish Sport Horse lacks in size he makes up for in talent and heart. ‘Jiffy’ took Camilla from Pony Club to the London Olympics in 2012. The pair also competed at Badminton five times, two World Equestrian Games, two Europeans and achieved 20 top 10 international finishes.

“For 14 years I have had the privilege of working with a true legend,” said Camilla. “Like in all sports, there have been ups and downs, but our journey has been simply incredible!

“We have travelled the world together and took on the biggest tracks in the sport. I owe him so much and appreciate all that he has done for me.”

Made his mark

Camilla will announce his official retirement at a demo tour in Ireland on 3-4 February, to enable his fans to say goodbye.

“At 18 years of age, he is still looking and feeling amazing and that is why we have decided to retire him this year as it is certainly what he deserves.”

Ronan Murphy CEO of Horse Sport Ireland wished Jiffy a happy retirement had said he had “left his mark in the history books of Irish eventing.”