Hickstead Mourned After Weekend Collapse

Thursday, 10 November 2011 14:59

Following a shocking weekend after star show jumping horse Hickstead died after completing his fourth round in the Italian world cup qualifier, collapsing as he left the arena, an autopsy has followed up and found the cause of death to be from an acute aortic rupture.  

The Canadian reigning Olympic champion was a world class performer and was admired throughout the equine eventing world; his death has shocked and upset many – his fans have lost their star and his competitors their greatest challenge.  His last act was to perform successfully at the qualifier, and his dedication to the sport was honoured by halting the competition to have the competitors file into the arena for a minutes silence to mark the passing of such a fantastic icon.

The autopsy has revealed that the strains placed upon the 15 year olds heart proved too much and the injuries too severe. Despite an equine ambulance being called immediately, there was nothing that could have prevented the accident, and Hickstead was sadly dead before the paramedics could arrive. He was set to retire in 2012 in order to stud, and no doubt would have produced a future generation of star show jumping horses as well.

The equine eventing world has lost a great figure, and Animal Friends sends condolences to those who worked with Hickstead over the years. Eric Lamaze, Hickstead rider and companion, stated about Hickstead “anyone who had anything to do with him — stable staff, people who rode him, blacksmiths — I want to thank them very much,’ before being asked about his future in show jumping, where he replied  “I’ve achieved everything I’ve wanted to, but I’m not ready to go yet. My last goal is to do another Olympics.”