Death of Cavalier casts shadow over event

THE death of Mary King’s Olympic horse, Call Again Cavalier, cast a cloud over the inaugural Express Eventing International Cup held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff at the weekend.
The much-loved horse had to be destroyed after breaking a leg.

The pair were in the British line-up which took team bronze at this summer’s Olympics in Hong Kong and they also won the individual silver medal at the 2007 European Championships.

The 16-year-old bay gelding fell towards the end of the showjumping course and was taken out of the arena in a horse ambulance under the care of Express Eventing’s vet John Killingbeck.

Mary and Call Again Cavalier had entered the showjumping phase in second place after an excellent dressage performance and were looking likely to finish second to Oliver Townend, who won the competition.

The horse is owned by Eddie and Sue Davies and their daughter Janette Chinn.

In a statement afterwards Stuart Buntine, from Express Eventing, said: “This is extremely sad.

“Our thoughts are with Mary King and Call Again Cavalier’s owners.

“Our thanks go to the veterinary team, headed by John Killingbeck, for their efficient and expert handling of this incident.”

The event was billed as an equestrian version of Twenty20 cricket, condensing three days of dressage, showjumping and cross country into half a day and under one roof.

With a total prize fund of £250,000 – a record amount in eventing – it had no trouble attracting top names as well as celebrities.

Olympic riders William Fox-Pitt and Tina Cook were among the contestants, while Jodie Kidd and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson took part in a celebrity jump-off which was won by Jodie.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips and Andrew Lloyd Webber gave their views on the freestyle dressage to music section.

Huddersfield-born Townend took the first prize of £100,000 with a blistering performance on his top horse Flint Curtis.

Lucy Wiegersma came second, winning £50,000 and William Fox-Pitt was third.

This fast-paced version of the sport saw Townend finishing 42 seconds clear of Wiegersma, completing his combined cross country and showjumping in four minutes and 25 seconds.

William Fox-Pitt, who has been on winning form throughout this season, said Townend had deserved to win.

“Oli was in a class of his own,” he said.

The cross country and show jumping courses proved demanding and over half the 19-strong field were eliminated, including Tina Cook who said her horse Miner’s Frolic was “completely fazed” by it.

Tags: Call Again Cavalier, Cardiff, Equestrian Event, Express Eventing International cup, Millennium Stadium, Showjumping, Twenty 20 cricket

Category: International Events, Sporting Events