Sarah Bullimore has paid tribute to her five-star eventing horse Reve Du Rouet, who died at age 22 after a happy retirement by the sea. The pair achieved numerous top finishes in major competitions. Bullimore described him as her biggest challenge and best friend.
Sarah Bullimore announced the death of Reve Du Rouet, her longtime campaigner in five-star eventing, at the age of 22. The German-bred gelding, purchased as a three-year-old from a dealer in Holland, enjoyed a successful career supported by owners including Bruce Saint early on, and later Chris and Sue Gillespie alongside Bullimore's husband Brett Bullimore. He spent his final years in retirement on Jersey with Cilla Perchard, participating in beach rides and relaxed competitions with his friend Valentino. Bullimore thanked Perchard for providing a loving home by the sea. Reve Du Rouet completed 13 CCI5* events, with standout results including second place at Pau in 2017, just 0.1 penalties behind winners Gwendolen Fer and Romantic Love. The pair also finished fourth at Burghley in 2018 and 2019, fifth at Luhmühlen in 2019, and 13th at Kentucky in 2014 after a clear cross-country round. They completed four finishes at Badminton. He retired in 2022 following a clear cross-country at Badminton that spring and a third-place finish at Alnwick CCI4*-S in the summer. 'He was the most genuine horse with all the heart and ability in the world, not a nasty bone in his body, but boy was he challenging,' Bullimore said. She noted his trickiness from ages eight to 13 and the mental pressure he put on her, adding, 'The day he retired was like a huge weight off my shoulders, yet I have missed him every day since!' Bullimore praised his jumping ability: 'There was no fence he couldn’t jump.' In a final tribute, she called him her 'biggest yet bestest challenge,' saying, 'I still miss you every day, never forgotten. Sleep tight baby boy.'
