 |
| Eric Lamaze and Hickstead, shown here at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games where the pair won individual bronze. Photo: Leslie Potter |
Update (11/10/11): Hickstead’s initial necropsy report has been released. Click here to read more.
for the past several years, but Hickstead’s career came to an abrupt and
shocking end on Sunday when he collapsed at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping
competition in Italy.
The 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood had just completed
a course with no apparent difficulties, then collapsed and died almost
instantly. At this time, no official cause of death has been released, although
it is speculated to have been a heart attack. A necropsy will be performed to
confirm the cause of death.
The competitors asked that the competition be stopped in support
of Lamaze and to pay their respects to the great horse.
“Shortly after finishing his round of jumping, Hickstead collapsed
in the arena and died,” said John Roche, FEI Jumping Director. “As yet the
cause of death is unknown, but our deepest sympathies go out to the owners, to
Eric and to all the connections of one of the greatest Jumping horses of all time.
Hickstead’s presence on the circuit will be very sadly missed.”
Among Hickstead’s many honors with Lamaze were an
individual gold medal at the 2008 Olympics and the title of “Best Horse” at the
2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, where he was the only horse in the final day of
show jumping to turn in four fault-free rounds.
What a horrible tragedy. To show respect to this great horse, please consider sending a contribution in his name to any equine rescue group. This great horse was loved and his every need was met. There are hundreds of others not so lucky.
OH MY GOSH!!!! this is terrible! i will definitely be praying for the families involved! hickstead was an AMAZING jumper and he will be greatly missed 🙁
this is so sad such a great horse and rider words can not express this loss
This horse has single-handedly lifted Canadian Show-jumping from mediocrity to World Wide acclaimation. He brought sooooo much excitement to events for the audience and absolute abject misery to those competing against him. He can only be compared to Big Ben and Milton due to the way he effected the sport and the attention and increased fan base that happened directly because of his participation in the sport. There are not many atheletes (human or animal) that can compare.
He will be a champion jumper in heaven, in fact, he will jump the pearly gates and earn his wings!
What a shock! I am so sorry.
Hickstead; you flew without wings. I, along with many other Canadians, love you. You will be missed. R.I.P.