The new show jumping World Champion Philippe Le Jeune from Belgium on Eric Lamaze's Hickstead in the WEG 2010 Final. Also visit "Show Jumping Nostalgia" blog at: showjumpingnostalgia.com/
Do your Research on Stroller. Ridden by Marion Coakes (GBR). They won the 1968 Olympic Individual Silver medal over the biggest 2nd round course ever built. Stroller has a wiki. Page. And there is a video of them on Y.T. jumping the 1st round of the 1968 Olympic Final. In it is a 1.80m (5 foot 11 inches) wall.
Thank you so much for posting this video. This is how I want to remember Hickstead. In all his glory, not his pain and suffering. I wish that people would get past the point of "it's my right" and reach a point of understanding where their responsibilities are. Where does the bloodlust and "curiosity" end? While it's tragic that Hickstead passed away, it is disheartening that people aspired to watch this horse suffer as he did.
@jinxedcm ... Milton was a great horse. So was Big Ben. So was Judgement. So is Sapphire. But Hickstead is perhaps the most consistent, sharp, careful, generous horse ever seen. I think Philippe Le Jeune owes his victory in large part to the flawless jumping of Hickstead. And it was nice to see a top rider so obviously affectionate to his horse, and to Hickstead.
I think Philippe deserved the win. yes Hickstead is an amazing horse, probably my favorite, but I loved the way Le Jeune rode him and the other horses. he handled all of them beautifully, they all seemed to like performing for him and that is quite the task. as for Eric Lamaze, I think he got a raw deal riding Vigo in the last round when he was so tired. IIRC, Vigo had been been out with an injury, and I guess with the training missed because of it he didn't the stamina to go four rounds.
@boothimyours not just the injury Vigo and Rebozo both have less thoroughbred blood, so they just lost intrest and naturally didn't have as much stamina but great for a rider to become a world champion on the worlds best horse, (Hickstead's owners got presented an award for Hickstead winning the most competitions then other horses in the year)
"" STROLLER "" is The Greatest that will ever live and Jump an Olympic fence. Google IMAGE search: 1968 Olympic Fence to you see what a 14.2 hh ( 1.48 metre ), IRISH Bred Pony took on so so Brave. Stroller won the 1968 Olympic Silver only 4 faults ( one pole down ), behind a Full Thoroughbred "SNOWBOUND" both animals names begin with S. ;-) and for Good measure another IRISH Bred Jumper, won the '68 Olympic Bronze " Mister Softee " & ridden by David Broome, a Master Horseman. The late Bill S. rode Snowbound. in the medal ceremonie, when you have to ride in on your own horse. Bill's Snowbound was lame so one of the Canadian Team lent Bill "his horse". So in that black & white 1968 Photo that's Not Snowbound that Bill is on with an Olympic Gold medal around Bill's neck. "" 1968 Olympic 2nd Round "" The biggest course ever built. Eight puissance size fences. TOO BIG in my opinion.
@melc1949 Hickstead is amazing, but I think giving him the credit for le Jeune's victory is a bit too much. Vigo jumped amazing in every round, it was only in the very last round with Rodrigo that he had faults. Vigo was the one to bring Le Jeune to the final. Phillpe was so far ahead of the other ridres that he could afford 4 faults in his last round and still become world champion.
