Hickstead, forever shining star

He burned brightly for 5 years. Bright stars B.C. and A.D. have lit the world - great people, great animals destined to share their special gifts with appreciative and understanding audiences. In 1996, Hickstead the star was born. It was not until mid life that he crossed paths with and was purchased in 2004 by a hopeful and patient rider, Eric Lamaze. Man combined discoveries and intense training with a horse’s fiery disposition and natural talent. Man and horse proved that greatness is earned. Eric Lamaze rode into the history books with Hickstead, a 16 hand, Dutch dark bay stallion. Eventually, their victories circled the globe. Ultimately, of course, triumph belongs to the horse. Numerous Grand Prix wins. The Rolex Grand Prix. World Cups. Stunning repeat conquests at the CN in Calgary, Canada. ( Eric happy, smiling and thumping the air with his arm in testament to the exciting accomplishment of his horse). Hickstead and Eric won the individual gold medal at the 2008 Bejing Olympics. They blazed with equestrian, athletic glory in Rome, Aachen and LaBoule. Hickstead earned the reputation for clear rounds above high, challenging fences. He attained a rare, four clear rounds in competition true to his habit of avoiding knock-downs. His star shone on the turf of show jumping until both rider and horse justly earned the ranking of number one. Both the best.

Then God said: It’s time, Hickstead, to come home. Why? At age 15, on top of the world? Who asks God why? Why when a favorite son is doing what he was born to do, loves to do with all his heart? At a competition in Italy, Nov. 6th, 2011, God extended his arm, pointed His finger and Hickstead answered the call. After a clear round, Hickstead unexpectedly halted and silently, slowly, fell to earth. His great heart burst. In less than a minute and sputtering like a spent flame, Hickstead left our world. The saddest minute. The saddest end. Forever be tears to his memory from fans, rightly wracked with sorrow, who knew him, admired him, acknowledged his status, his place.

His passing reminds me of the death of de Saint-Exupery’s “ little prince.” I quote. “He fell as gently as a tree falls. There was not even any sound.” Look at the horizon. When you look up at the sky, see a star, ... “it is the loveliest and saddest landscape in the world,” a great mystery. “It is here that the “little prince” appeared on Earth, and disappeared.”

Somebody up there loves you, Hickstead, enough to have shared you with us, but only until He missed you. But your star still blazes, your rider in the saddle intense, your legs tucked, your muscular torso soaring, your eye on the prize, your heart still pumping.