For those who haven't heard, Hickstead, the fabulous showjumper ridden by Eric Lamaze died today after collapsing at the end of a jumping round. He fell over in the middle of the ring and died in front of the live telecast, for all the world to see.
I have seen the video (available on youtube) but refrained from posting it here.
I want to remember this amazing horse by the wonderful things he did, instead. I have personally seen three horses collapse the same way he did. Two in warm-up rings and one on XC. They simply dropped and died almost immediately. So sad.
Keep Eric in your prayers as he has lost a dear friend.
There was a good comment on one of the videos on youtube that the horse was known for his colic episodes and that there is a good possibility rider just tried to encourage him to get up (being in complete shock). But again, I haven't seen any smacking there. I have to say the whole situation was handled rather quietly.
Eric didn't smack him with the crop... if it was an intentional action, I interpret that as more of a "hey... hey!" tap because I'm sure he had no idea what was going on. And it certainly wasn't safe for him to get close enough to touch him with his hand.
This horse is phenonmenal... Eric is probably the person who knows him best... They won gold medals together, for crap's sake. Do you think he would hit his partner while he's down like that? I think it was unintentionl; There was probably so much going through his mind, he was runnning on adreneline that it just happened.
And do you see Eric being consoled by a groom (I'm assuming) as they load Hickstead's body into the ambulance? I'm sure he's crushed. His ride of a lifetime just died without an ounce of warning. I don't see how you can't feel bad for him... what he went through is traumatizing. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't compete for a while.
Heartbreaking. My thoughts are with Eric Lamaze and the team who cared for such a wonderful, inspirational horse. =(
I'm not sure how anyone could look at this situation and feel anything other than empathy for a fellow rider who lost his friend but I learn new things everyday. <sigh>
What a tragic loss. My thoughts are with Eric Lamaze. How heartbreaking it must be to lose a partner as astounding, dedicated, and talented as Hickstead.
If I had a horse go down like that, and that was flailing, I would probably be trying to get his attention with a few crop pokes as well....not "beating on him", which obviously wasn't what Mr. Lamaze was doing. Give the guy a break. You can't tell any of us that you wouldn't have been freaking out if that had happened to you, and most likely would have done something similar.
From the Eric Lamaze page on Facebook:
"This is this Facebook Page Administrator writing. John and Donti Flieschhacker(co-owners of Hickstead) are going to Florida to be with Eric when he arrives home. John said they have a horse that Eric really really likes. Their daughter Ashley had the horse in Europe this summer, the horse is in Florida now and will be waiting for Eric to take over and start training as soon as Eric is ready. Eric will have the support of all his friends in his time of sorry."
Our horses do what we ask, far and above what they normally would do. We can only be grateful that when we lose one, that they shared their accomplishments with us. It's seems appropriate that this great horse receives the honor he deserves..
So depressing :'( I always love watching the Spruce Meadows on TV and would wait for Eric and Hickstead! I loved how they worked together and how Hickstead easily sail over the high jumps and eat up the ground with his gallop He will be very missed and well remembered! As everyone said, he died doing what he loved <3
CEF has just said that Eric will be showing at the Royal Winter Fair (he is on his way there now)and that he is understandably devastated but felt he needed to continue on.
They are having a Tribute to Hickstead at the Royal. So sad for everyone
this is so sad. i am not a jumper but i loved this beautiful horse. he made it look so easy!! may hickstead rest in peace leaving eric with inspiration and willingness to continue the path they started
I can't imagine what it must have been like to have your partner fall out from under you with no warning. What an amazing horse he was, and he has surely left his mark on the show jumping world. I'm sure he jumped over the rainbow bridge and is now happily playing with all the great equine athletes of the past.
I watched the video. Heartbreaking. I do have a question though - if his death is due to a heart attack could that signal a genetically faulty heart? And could that be passed on to his offspring? And if it can be passed on - is the chance of having a phenomenal jumper out of an amazing sire worth the risk of him dying young from a genetic heart disease?
The horse was dying...I'm sure he was in way more pain from a heart attack then getting lightly tapped on the neck with a stick. I probably would have done the same thing...it would be my first reaction to get the horse back on his feet.
I think it's rather callous to criticize unless you've been in those shoes. I've seen one of mine go that way and it was one of the most helpless feeling moments I've had in a lifetime with horses. In that moment there is not much of a thought process other than OMG, what do I do now and losing it shortly after. I couldn't tell you exactly what I did during those minutes, but I'm certain I would have appeared like a crazy lunatic had it been on video.
I think this thread needs to get back to it's original intent. Honoring a phenomenal horse and the partnership that they shared.
What gets me is that Hickstead seems to make a gallant effort to go down as gently as possible, keeping his rider - and friend - from harm. What a soul this horse must have had to behave like he did... and what a passion that horse must have had for jumping. It is a rare thing to find a horse so passionate, and Hickstead is a gem that is sure to be missed. RIP
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