CTVOlympics.ca Staff
Hickstead, the horse that Schomberg, Ontario’s Eric Lamaze rode to a pair of medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, died of an apparent heart attack at a World Cup event in Verona, Italy on Saturday.
According to statement released by the International Equestrian Federation, Hickstead collapsed and died after completing the 13-fence course at the Rolex FEI event.
Attempts were made by veterinarians to revive the horse but to no avail.
“We finished our round, I circled and was leaving the ring, and he collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack,” said Lamaze. “It is the most tragic thing that has ever happened. We had him until he was 15, and we had a great time together. He was the best horse in the world. We are all devastated.”
At request of the riders, the competition was abandoned and a moment of silence was held.
“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,” said FEI Jumping Director John Roche in a statement. “Hickstead’s presence on the circuit will be very sadly missed”.
Hickstead was one-half of one of the most successful partnerships in Canadian Equestrian history. Lamaze captured both individual show jumping gold and team silver aboard him in 2008 in Beijing.
Bred by Jan van Schijndel, Hickstead was born March 2, 1996, in The Netherlands and purchased by Lamaze in 2004. Along with the two Olympic medalas, Hickstead earned more theat $3 million in prize money during his career along with several grand prix titles in show jumping including in Calgary in 2007 and 2011, Geneva in 2008, Aachen in 2010 along with victories in La Baule and Rome earlier this year. In addition Lamaze and Hickstead captured Individual Bronze at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and Team Silver and Individual Bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games.
“Our team, our sport and our country grieve with Eric, Delphine and the Fleischhacker family on the passing of one of Canada’s greatest equine heroes.” said Akaash Maharaj, CEO of Equine Canada.
In an interview with CTVOlympics earlier this year, Lamaze felt that despite Hickstead’s advanced age, he still had the ability to challenge for a medal at London 2012.
“He is a bit older, we have to manage his health a little bit more carefully, but I feel if I get to London and he’s in great condition I think he can still compete as he did 4 years before,” said Lamaze at the time.