Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm have officially announced the retirement of Suppenkasper, a mainstay of the U.S. Dressage Team for the past six years. Ridden by six-time Olympian Steffen Peters, Suppenkasper has proudly represented the U.S. at two World Championships, two Olympics, an FEI Dressage World Cup Final, and numerous Nations Cup events.
Affectionately known as Mopsie, Suppenkasper is among the most celebrated horses in U.S. Dressage history. He garnered Olympic and World Championship medals at Tryon 2018 and Tokyo 2020, and made a notable appearance at the 2023 FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Omaha, Nebraska. His captivating freestyle performance at the Tokyo 2020 Games earned him the endearing nickname “Rave Horse,” captivating audiences worldwide. Throughout his career, Suppenkasper competed in over 80 international events with Peters, achieving 59 victories in Grand Prix CDI competitions.
“Today, I glance out my window and see Ravel and Mopsie soaking up the sun, the bustling crowds and long flights now just memories. As we celebrate 20 years together, it’s time to conclude this remarkable journey, and I am deeply grateful to Steffen, the horses, and everyone who has been part of this adventure,” shared Yamazaki. “With Steffen riding several horses, including Lombardi, Ravel, Legolas, Rosamunde, and Suppenkasper, our team has traveled globally and had the privilege of representing the USA in numerous international championships.”
For over 20 years, Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm, alongside Peters, have proudly represented the U.S. at five Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024), four FEI World Championships (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), the 2019 Pan American Games, and five FEI Dressage World Cup Finals, highlighted by a historic win aboard Ravel in Las Vegas in 2009. They’ve also consistently represented the United States at prestigious Nations Cup events like CHIO Aachen and CHIO Rotterdam.
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“It has been a true honor to be part of Mopsie’s career. I cannot express enough appreciation to Akiko for acquiring him eight years ago and for supporting our global competitions. Winning the silver medal in Tokyo was undoubtedly the pinnacle of our time together,” said Peters. “For me, one of the proudest moments was having Mopsie deliver for our team that night in Tokyo. While individual victories are gratifying, fulfilling our team’s goals is what I cherish most, especially in that moment. Mopsie’s popularity as the ‘Rave Horse’ is special because it connected so many people to his spirit and achievements. It’s hard to articulate the depth of this journey, but I feel immense gratitude for both Mopsie and Akiko, and I’m privileged to have shared this experience with them.”
“We’ve been fortunate to work with incredible riders, horses, and owners throughout the years. As anyone involved knows, countless hours of hard work and numerous shows lead to these defining moments, and it truly takes a village to achieve success. We’ve had amazing support from the USEF staff, including Gil Merrick, Jim Wolf, and others, as well as knowledgeable Chef d’Equipes and our dedicated veterinary team,” Yamazaki added. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the USET Foundation, competition organizers, and all the service providers who have cared for and transported Mopsie and our other horses throughout their careers.”
Four Winds Farm and Yamazaki’s support of U.S. Dressage has yielded significant international success, culminating in the team silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where Suppenkasper played a crucial role. He will now enjoy his retirement at Four Winds Farm in Woodside, California.
“Mopsie’s achievements wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated home team, including Dr. Rodrigo Vazquez and physiotherapist Tom Meyers, who have been with us for over 20 years, along with Suppenkasper’s groom Eddie Garcia and our staff. The countless contributions from everyone involved in caring for our horses, including my exceptional team at Four Winds Farm, have been invaluable,” concluded Yamazaki. “Together, Steffen and I, alongside our team members, have traveled the world, experiencing the profound emotions that come with the highs and lows of this extraordinary journey.” (from US Equestrian Communications Dept.)
