Sad, sad day in the horseworld yesterday. Eric Lamaze's great stallion Hickstead passed away after completing his first go in the Verona Grand Prix. I have always admired this horse and rider team, mainly because Hickstead looked like a beast to ride, and Eric always handled him with such a light touch. And that horse-man, he jumped his heart out for Eric. There was a video a few months ago of another grand prix where Lamaze took a super direct bending line, that put him pretty much right in front of the right side jump standard. A normal horse would have probably refused it. But Hickstead, so trusting of his rider, jumped over the top of the standard on a grand prix fence. That is insane, but speaks TONS to the partnership him and Eric had together. That is something I can only dream of having with my horse. It does not happen everyday, nor to everyone, where horse and rider seem so perfectly suited for one another. I think in the case of Lamaze and Hickstead, the proof was in the pudding, the pudding being the millions of dollars they won together and the other various successes they had (including being ranked number one in the world by Rolex for three years). I'm not sure we'll ever see another horse like him, or at least not anytime soon.
The passing of any animal is sad, but one as great at this being taken away so quickly is especially heartbreaking. I went out to the barn after I heard the news, and just buried my face in Arwen's super fluffy neck and hugged her until she started backing away like "WTF is going on?" LOL.
Definitely serves as a reminder to appreciate your animals (or anyone in your life for that matter) everyday. RIP Hickstead.
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