Ellen's well-known speed horse Kanselier will be jumping his last every Horse of the Year Show class this Sunday, as he prepares to go into retirement.

The 18-year-old is one of Ellen's best known and well-loved horses, having hit the spotlight when the pair qualified for Olympia when Ellen was just 16 years old.

She will ride him for his last ever HOYS class - and possibly his last ever championship show - in the Speed Horse of the Year category on Sunday October 10th. Depending on how he fairs at this week's HOYS, vets will then decide whether he is fit enough to go on to compete in Olympia in December, or whether he should be retired immediately.

Ellen's dad Steven said: "Kanselier has won speed classes and grand prixs all over the world. He is one of the most prolific horses you will ever come across. There has never been a speed horse that has lasted as long as Kanselier has."

Kanselier is suffering from damage to the ligaments in one of his legs which are being monitored carefully by his vet.  If he has a good show at HOYS and the vet is happy with his leg, he will be able to compete in Olympia  before retiring for good.

"He is 18 but he looks and behaves like a nine-year-old," said Steven. You could carry on with him for another yearbut we don't want anything to happen to him, so we would rather retire him now than have something happen to him in the ring."

Ellen added: "Kanselier has always been such a gentleman and I am really really sad to see him retire. He has had a fantastic career and has been incredibly loyal to me. We really know and understand each other well and I'm going to miss him loads."