Australian Grand Prix rider Blas Lago has lost his number one mount Northern Hector at the 2011 Pacific League World Cup Finals in Werribee, Australia. The chestnut gelding collapsed and died at the venue, where the League Finals are set to start tomorrow.
During a training session on the show grounds in Werribee Northern Hector suffered a ruptured aorta and died on the spot. A vet was in attendance but he could not save the horse.
Northern Hector was a 16-year old Australian bred warmblood by Northern Hermes out of a Northern Fandango dam. Lago discovered Northern Hector as a 4-year old and trained the chestnut all the way up to Grand Prix level.
Lago and Hector were a very popular pair with the audience in Australia. The combination brought its own style and enthusiasm to the arena and loved to perform in front of the crowd.
Lago's fellow Grand Prix competitors expressed their condolences for Lago's loss on the Internet. "Our heart goes out to our good friend Blas Lago on hearing the sad news of his horse Northern Hector. A champion combination in more ways than one. Our deepest sympathies," Brett Parbery wrote. Carol Coghlan wishes "to Blas and Northern Hector. I hope they play your Kur for you one last time, for the memories."
Photo © Franz Venhaus
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Cyberhorse: Lago and Hector in 2004