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Kiwi eventing great Mark Todd has retired aged 63, ending a 40-year career that reaped two Olympic gold medals and host of other international titles.
New Zealand horseman Mark Todd has announced his competitive retirement at age 63, ending one of the greatest and most enduring careers in eventing.
Double Olympic champion Todd made the surprise announcement at the conclusion of a Nations Cup event in Ireland on Sunday after being part of a victorious Kiwi team.
A veteran of seven Olympic campaigns, he had previously indicated a desire to compete in Tokyo next year but had concluded 40 years of competing at the highest level was long enough.
Todd won gold at Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988) riding Charisma and snared six Summer Olympic medals in total.
He finishes with four Badminton Horse Trials titles, five victories at the Burghley Horse Trials and two team world championship gold medals.
Named rider of the 20th century by the governing body FEI, Todd is regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful athletes.
He has decided to devote more time to breeding and training race horses in England, something that had become more than a passing interest after securing a training licence.
"I had initially thought I may stay on for one more Olympic Games but since I got back into the racing my attention has been taken away," he said.
"It is not just about the competition and unless you are 110 per cent focused and driven towards that goal, you won't succeed . . . and I certainly wasn't.
"In fairness to the owners, horses and others hoping to get on the team, this was the best thing. I have been here once before but there will be no comeback this time."
Todd first retired from the sport in 2000, his decision partly driven by a British tabloid newspaper sting claiming he had used cocaine in the leadup to that year's Sydney Olympics. Todd vehemently denied the report.
He returned to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and three years later, at 55, became the oldest winner of the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials.
Todd said he felt relieved to retire after mulling the decision for some time and was delighted to go out on a winning note alongside world leading compatriots Tim and Jonelle Price.
The FEI paid tribute to Todd in a Twitter posting.
"Bittersweet brilliance. The man. The myth. The legend. Helped New Zealand to a stunning victory in Ireland in the FEI #Eventing Nations Cup... and then stunned the equestrian world by announcing his retirement!"
