DEATH OF EQUINE SUPERSTAR HICKSTEAD

The Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012 series at Verona, Italy was stopped yesterday Nov. 6th 2011 because of the unexpeted death of the stallion Hickstead. His ridier was the canadian olympic champion Eric Lamaze. Hickstead collapses in the middle of a comination of fences after jumping the thirteenth one. Everything was normal until the stallion suddenly fell down and died. The competition was stopped because the riders wanted to pay their respects to this great horse and support Eric in this hard time for him. There was a minute silence. "Hickstead really was a horse in a million and my heart goes out to Eric and everyone connected with this wonderful horse. This is a terrible loss, but Hickstead truly will never be forgotten. We were very lucky to have known him." says the FEI President also shocked from the bad news.
“Shortly after finishing his round of jumping Hickstead collapsed in the arena and died. 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” also adds the FEI Jumping Director, John Roche. It was unexpected for all of them to lose the great stallions. They will always remember the greater success of the horse and the canadian rider when they won the Olympic Games of 2008.