Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Ricochet
New Zealand’s Samantha Lissington suffered a serious fall at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials during the CCI4*-S cross country phase on Sunday
Sam was taken to hospital Sam with broken ribs and is expected to stay there for a few days under observation
Sadly, the nine-year-old mare Ricker Ridge Ricochet that Sam was riding died during the incident at Fence 12 on the CCI4*-S 8/9 Year Old course. The B element at the same fence was removed after the fall
“It is with great sadness we announce that following immediate veterinary treatment Ricker Ridge Ricochet, ridden by Samantha Lissington passed away after a fall at fence 12 today” said a statement issued by the event organisers “Our thoughts are with all connections at this sad time.”
Ricker Ridge Ricochet was one of the horses brought from New Zealand when Sam re-located to the UK in 2019. The mare, bred by Sam’s parents Nanette and Dale Felton, won the National Young Event Horse Championship in New Zealand as a five-year-old and more recently finished third at her first CCI4*-S at Mallow in Ireland
“The most unimaginably hard day - there are not many words to say” says the statement on Sam’s Facebook post “Sam has a couple of broken ribs and is staying in hospital for a day or so to keep an eye on some internals. But the biggest injury is our broken hearts which will take some time for us all to come to terms with. Fly high slick Rick”
Sadly two other horses have now been confirmed as having died during the event with the 12-year-old Fanta Boy, ridden by Georgie Goss (née Spence), who had completed the cross-country without any problems, passing away on Saturday night
“With a broken heart, I can confirm that very sadly our Fanta Boy passed away late into the night on Saturday. He was an incredible horse and I will cherish the memories I’ve shared with him and his wonderful owners, Nicky [Cooper] and Lucy [Fleming]” said Georgie
Equador III, ridden by Thomas Martin, died after a fall during the CCI4* class
“Unfortunately Eddie sustained a leg injury. Due to that leg injury we had to make the tough decision this morning to put him to rest,” said Thomas on social media
