Gray Slipper took one final walk around Devon’s Dixon Oval today with Bridget Hallman, Louise Serio and Amanda Lyerly during an emotional retirement ceremony.

Slipper enjoyed a spectacular career in the amateur-owner ring with Hallman and the regular working hunter ring with Serio, highlighted by wins at every championship horse show in the country, including two grand championships at Devon. An integral part of Slipper’s team, Lyerly gave him his lucky morning rides on show days.

Announcer Oliver Kennedy struggled to control his composure as he read a lovely tribute written by Hallman about his career, and he wasn’t the only one. All action around the showgrounds virtually stopped as trainers and hunter fans flocked to the Dixon Oval to pay their respects to a legend in the sport.

Hallman wrote of Slipper:

“These past 11 years have been a life-changing, true fairy tale. Slipper’s spooky and quirky ways never went away, but that’s what made him so special. Every win was a victory in some way or another, be it spooking at the end of the ring or just trying to stay with his incredible jump. Louise Serio has been frequently quoted saying ‘Slipper taught me more than I ever taught him.’ Looking back at all that was accomplished is remarkable. He was the epitome of what a great hunter should be. He had the movement, style, stride and scope for days. He could lope down to the hugest of oxers and effortlessly fire into the air. It would feel like you were in the air forever. This is the kind of jumps that gives you goose bumps. He would give you so much confidence that when you came out of the ring you didn’t think you won, you knew you won. But win, lose or draw at the end of the day you were walking back to the barn on Gray Slipper and nothing else mattered. “

According to Hallman, highlights of his career included:

—2006 Chronicle of the Horse Overall and Hunter Horse of the Year

—Capitol Challenge (Md.): grand champion (three times) champion (five times), and reserve champion (three times), China Blue trophy (two times), WCHR Under Saddle reserve champion

—Devon (Pa.)—grand champion (two times), champion (three times) and reserve champion (two times)

—Pennsylvania National—champion (two times) and reserve champion (two times)

—Washington International (D.C.)—grand champion, champion and reserve championships (two times)

—Protocol Trophy—two times

—National (N.Y.)—reserve champion

—Middleburg (Va.)— champion (six times)

—Winter Equestrian Festival circuit champion

—Legacy Cup Pre-Green incentive award winner

—2007 National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner, Regular Working and Overall Hunter of the Year