Daisy Berkeley’s British Olympic medal-winning horse, Spring Along, has died as the result of an accident at the Gatcombe Horse Trials on Sunday.
Daisy was giving her popular evener his first run out this season, with plans on taking the 18-year-old bay gelding to the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials at the end of April.
Berkeley, who suffered minor cuts and bruises, rode Spring Along at the 2008 Olympics equestrian competition in Hong Kong, where the combination featured in the Great Britain team’s bronze medal performance. Spring Along died instantly at fence 23a (the Supercharged Steps Up), on the 25-fence Intermediate course designed by HRH the Princess Royal and Pattie Bidden.
In a statement, British Eventing said:
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Spring Along, ridden by Daisy Berkeley and owned by Mrs Christine Dick and the rider, died as a result of a fatal accident at fence number 23, a double of steps up, while competing at Gatcombe British Eventing One-Day Event in Gloucestershire. Spring Along, an 18-year-old bay gelding, is believed to have had a heart attack just prior to the first step up, so simply fell on top of the first step and was found to be dead by the vets when they arrived at the fence. Daisy sustained minor cuts and bruises, and was understandably very upset.”
Our thought’s go out to Daisy Berkeley & all those involved with Spring Along
