Death of a Show Jumping Legend
The show jumping community around the world is mourning the tragic death of Hickstead, the amazing little stallion who helped win the Individual gold medal and the Team silver medal in show jumping at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for Canadian rider Eric Lamaze.
One of the most successful show jumping horses in the world, 15-year-old Hickstead collapsed suddenly after completing a round in the fourth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup in Verona, Italy. Despite immediate veterinary attention, efforts to revive the stallion were unsuccessful.
“We finished our round, I circled and was leaving the ring, and he collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack,” said Lamaze in a press release. “It is the most tragic thing…he was the best horse in the world. We are all devastated.”
Hickstead and Lamaze had just come off a win for the second time in their career together in the prestigious $1 million CN International Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta in September.
“Everybody dreams of winning this,” said Lamaze after his win. “When you have a great horse that tries so hard, you want this title attached to his name as many times as possible. This horse wants to jump clear as much as you do.”
Lamaze had also confirmed that he was aiming Hickstead towards the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The outpouring of grief from the equestrian community was immediate.
“Hickstead and Eric have been one of equestrianism’s most legendary partnerships,” saidAkash Maharaj, the CEO of Equine Canada.
FEI President Princess Haya added the comment, “This is a terrible loss, but Hickstead truly will never be forgotten. We were very lucky to have known him.”
With files from www.torontosun.com and www.CBC.ca.
Photo: Robin Duncan Photography