Olympic Grand Prix horse Hiscox Askari passed away on Thursday December 9, 2009. The 22-year old bay gelding suffered from a severe colic attack and even though he was operated on he could not be saved.
Hiscox Askari, a 1987 born Dutch warmblood gelding by Avignon out of Wasuska (by Darling Boy xx), was Richard Davison's number on Grand Prix horse between 1995 and 2001. The Davison family purchased Askari as a 3-year old from Dutch trainer Bert Rutten and Richard's wife Gillian trained him up to Grand Prix level. Then Richard took over and from 1995 to 2001 the combination ranked highly at numerous international competitions, World Cup Qualifiers and Finals.
"The last 48 hours have not only been very sad for me personally, but for all my family," Richard told Eurodressage on the passing of Askari. "My two sons grew up with Askari. He was the sweetest and most willing horse. He had a huge impact on my career."
In 1995 Davison and Askari became Reserve British Grand Prix Champions. In 1996 they becale British team members and competed at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. The pair finished 21st in the Grand Prix Special. In 1997 they won bronze at the nationals and in 1998 they finished 8th with the British team at the World Equestrian Games in Rome. In 1999 they ranked 7th in the World Cup Finals in Dortmund and they placed 10th at the European Championships in Arnheim. The combination competed at their second Olympics in Sydney in 2000. The highlight of their last season together were the 2001 European Championships. The horse received the Hickstead Elite Award for lifetime achievement that same year. Richard retired Askari from competition in 2001.
Richard reminisced on his career with Askari and told Eurodressage, "Askari went to his first Olympics at 9 years old and then also to his second Olympics in Sydney. I can't remember how many European Championships or World Cup Finals he did, but there were plenty. We retired him when we thought he had reached his level and he finished his international career 100% sound and healthy. We always resisted the pressure to over-compete him and in fact when he retired he was still qualified to compete in novice classes in the UK."
That year the rising 14-year old Askari sold to Jane F. Clark in the United States where he would serve as schoolmaster for Clark and her upcoming rider Katherine Bateson, who were both trained under the tutelage of American Olympian Robert Dover.
"We were blessed that Jane had always admired and asked about him and when it came to him having a less demanding life, there is no better home for any horse in the world than Jane’s in America," said Richard. "After he had gone I don’t mind admitting that I cried for days. Actually, when the truck came to take Askari to the airport for his journey to New York, as we were putting on his travelling boots, the radio in the stables gave out the news that an areoplane had crashed into the Twin Towers and the airport had been closed. Of course we didn’t understand the seriousness of the situation and, at that point and I took it as sign that Askari was not meant to go - so I sent the transporter away empty."
Jane never competed Askari but enjoyed the horse for his talent, knowledge and character. He was the perfect schoolmaster. "With his big angelic eyes he courted all the pampering and love Jane, and her stable jockey Katherine Bateson, lavished on him at his new luxury home," Davison explained. "I feel so sorry and sad for Jane as she always said she could never find find another horse as special to her as Askari."
Katherine Bateson wrote Eurodressage to tell the sad news of Askari's passing. "He was so loved his whole life between being an Olympian and being an incredible teacher we will miss you," said Bateson. "He was a much loved and respected teacher. We are all very sad but he was a very special horse."
Davison concluded that, "I think can speak for all of us who had anything to do with Askari, when it comes to having had such a kind and generous horse come into our lives, it is us who are the lucky ones.
Photos copyrighted: Dirk Caremans
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