DECEMBER 2011
INSPIRED BY PEOPLE AND HORSES
$2.50 VOLUME 34, ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2011
Presents…
Lindsay Sears is only Canadian headed to NFR > PAGE A8
· SPECIAL FEATURE ·
> PAGES B1-8
www.horsesall.com
Deep western roots influence 40-year career > PAGE A9
PHOTO BY WENDY DUDLEY
Hickstead, 1996-2011. He was the world’s top show jumping horse and ridden by Canada’s Eric Lamaze, the world’s No. 1 rider. Together, they won an Olympic Gold medal and team Silver, as well as numerous other international Grand Prix wins. They medalled at Pan Am Games, the World Championshps and the World Cup. In 2010, Hickstead was named Best Horse at the World Equestrian Games, as he turned in four perfect rounds in the finals.
PHOTO BY WENDY DUDLEY
Eric Lamaze and Hickstead had perfect chemistry and shared similar personalities, says Lamaze. He never failed to give the stallion credit for winning, pointing at him after every flawless round. The international equestrian community has agreed there will never be another horse like him. He was considered small for the sport, and could be difficult to control. But in Lamaze’s hands, he became a legend.
The world grieves for Hickstead By Wendy Dudley
T
his is not a story I ever wanted to write. Just three short months ago, I stroked Hickstead’s muzzle and the side of his neck. I knew I was in the presence of greatness. Looking up at Eric Lamaze, who was seated on the stallion’s back wearing the gold medal he’d just won in the $1 million CN International Grand Prix, I couldn’t help but think what a party it would be the day he retired this mighty horse. He would bow out in great style, his neck arched to our applause. How was I, or the world, to know it would be the last time I would touch and photograph this show jumping legend. That this would be his last Canadian appearance ever. But, as we all know, Hickstead died November 6, after completing an almost flawless World Cup qualifying round in Italy. Before
he could exit the ring, he collapsed, the result of an acute aortic rupture causing heart failure. At that moment the entire equestrian world went into shock. We wept, whether we were horse owners or reporters who had the thrill of watching and writing about this magnificent stallion who proved time after time to be unbeatable. Speaking from Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair horse show, Calgary’s Jenn Serek, who rode against Eric and Hickstead, said riders were stunned when word broke. “We were in shock. Time will make things easier, but the relationship Eric had with that horse was one in a million.” He was simply magical, added Olympian Jill Henselwood, who had the privilege of riding Hickstead for three days while waiting for Eric to arrive in Hong Kong for the 2008 Olympics. Those were Walt Disney moments, she said. Ecstasy that for the time being
has turned to agony. “Hickstead can’t be replaced,” she said. “He just can’t.” His resume was outstanding: the only Canadian horse to ever win individual gold at an Olympics; the only horse to jump four perfect rounds in the 2010 World Equestrian Games final, winning Eric a bronze medal and the title of Best Horse in the world; winner of two $1 million CN International Grand Prixs at Spruce Meadows (2007, 2011); the Grand Prix of Aachen in 2010; a silver in the 2011 World Cup Final; team silver and individual bronze in the 2007 Pan American Games. Countless Grand Prix victories and Nation’s Cup double-clears. Not always is the world’s top horse paired with the world’s top rider, but these two ruled the rings, and were on track to defend their Olympic gold medal this coming summer at the London Games. They brought awareness
to the sport, packing the stands at Spruce Meadows with recordbreaking crowds. Hickstead was our Canadian hero. The chemistry between Eric and Hickstead was no like other, each reflecting the other’s boldness and bravery. Eric had a rocky start in life, always the underdog and working his way up the ranks from a groom to a catch rider to an international champion. Hickstead was a misfit, overlooked by many, believed to be Publication Mail Agreement 40069240
a runt with a bad attitude. But both were fighters, and together they showed the world how wrong it had been. Eric knew this horse had changed his life, and he never failed to point his finger at Hickstead, and lean forward to give him a hug after every successful run. The two had immense respect for one another, and at an emotional press conference held in Hickstead
continued on page A6