FEI statement regarding Hickstead's passing in Verona

Hickstead and Eric Lamaze in Rotterdam this summer

The fourth leg of the 2001/12 Rolex FEI World Cup series at Verona, Italy, was stopped today following the sudden death of the stallion Hickstead, ridden by reigning Olympic champion and world number one Eric Lamaze of Canada.

Pius Schwizer takes second World Cup qualifier

Pius Schwizer and Carlina win their second Rolex World Cup
qualifier in a week. By FEI/Matti Heitanen

By Louise Parkes

Switzerland's Pius Schwizer secured a superb back-to-back double when adding victory in the second leg of the 2001/12 Rolex FEI World Cup series in Helsinki, Finland, (23 October 2011) to his opening-round success in Oslo, Norway, (16 October 2011). Once again riding Carlina, Pius was one of nine through to the jump-off, in which he set a target that could not be matched, despite some heroic efforts from those who followed him.

Final champions crowned at HOYS 2011

Jaime Guerra and Utopias. By Roberto Cubbedo

The show jumping on Sunday, 9 October started with the highly competitive Grade C Championship where Louise Pavitt and the Brendon Stud’s Don VHP Z claimed a title for the second year running, having taken the Six-Year-Old honours in 2010.

Dual winners in HOYS 2011 puissance

Joe Clayton (Leonardo) and Douglas Duffin (Volcano).
By Roberto Cubbedo

The Tagg Puissance provided a thrilling finale to the penultimate day of the 2011 Horse of the Year with two riders sharing the honours after clearing a whopping 2.20m (7ft 3in) in the fifth and final round.

New classes thrill crowds at HOYS

Scott Brash and Bon Ami.
By Roberto Cubbedo

There was excitement in the jumping classes with the brand new 'Five Fence Challenge', in which fences are raised in each round over a maximum of five rounds and was a huge success with the enthusiastic HOYS crowd in the packed stands.

Only Britain's William Funnell on Billy Grand and Belgium's Cindy van der Straten riding Twan had jumped clear in the first four rounds to go head-to-head one last time. Both had a fence down last time out, so shared the honours.

"This is my first time in Britain and I can't get over the atmosphere in the arena," said Cindy. "If all shows over here are like this, I’ll be coming more often."

Nick Skelton gains a double of international wins at HOYS

Nick Skelton and Big Star. By Roberto Cubbedo

Fresh from his European Championship bronze medal, Nick Skelton made an instant splash upon his return to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as the international classes got under way for the week. The Warwickshire-based British Number Two made the ideal start to his campaign at the "World's Most Famous Horse Show" by landing the Grandstand Welcome Stakes with Beverley Widdowson's Unique from first draw in the jump-off.

Pippa Funnell leads the winners on first day of HOYS 2011

Pippa Funnell and Billy Balou. By
Roberto Cubeddo

Eventing superstar Pippa Funnell, a former Horse of the Year Show rosette girl, celebrated her first ever victory at the show by taking the EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers Championship on the Billy Stud and Carol Toliver’s Billy Balou.

"All those years I worked here handing out rosettes, I never thought I'd be receiving a winner's one,” said twice European Eventing Champion and Rolex Eventing Grand Slam winner Pippa, who celebrates her birthday at the show on Friday. "And I almost got William to ride Billy Balou here because I've been so busy eventing I haven’t had a chance to get him indoors."