The famous stallion, Hickstead, ridden by current No. 1 international show jumper, Erik Lamaze, from Canada collapsed and died after completion of a jumping round at an FEI competition in Verona, Italy on November 6th. Subsequent postmortem analysis determined the cause of death to be an acute aortic rupture.
Hickstead is one of the most decorated stallions in show jumping and the horse of a lifetime for Lamaze. Among his many achievements, Hickstead won two Olympic medals (Individual Gold and Team Silver, 2008), two Pan American Games medals (Individual Bronze and Team Silver, 2007), and the $1M CN International twice (2007, 2011). He was honored with the Best Horse Award at the 2010 World Equestrian Games Show Jumping Individual Championship where the final four riders each ride the others horses (photo left).
Peterson and Smith Equine Reproduction Center and SBS would like to extend our condolences to Erik Lamaze, Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables on the loss of such an incredible horse!
Click here for more info on the cause of death and see RIP Hickstead Facebook page for more on Hickstead and an interview with Eric Lamaze.
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