British Olympian Spencer Wilton bid farewell to his Grand Prix horse Super Nova, who passed away at the age of 22. Super Nova, a British Hanoverian bred in Wales, had a successful career that included representing Great Britain at major championships such as the 2016 Olympics, the 2017 Europeans, and the 2018 World Equestrian Games.
Super Nova was initially trained by Melanie Phillips before being sold to Carl Hester and eventually ending up with Spencer Wilton. The pair had a successful international show career, but Super Nova’s later years were marred by injuries, leading to his retirement in the summer of 2021. Despite attempts to make a comeback in 2020, the horse’s health issues and Wilton’s back problems prevented them from competing at top-level events.
Wilton announced Super Nova’s passing in March 2025, expressing gratitude for the journey they shared and the joy and challenges the horse brought to their lives. Super Nova’s legacy as a top British team horse and beloved partner to Wilton will be remembered by the equestrian community.
