H&H’s 10 most-read news stories from 2014

2014 was a year full of highs and sadly, some lows too. H&H has compiled a list of the most-read news stories from the past 12 months for you to look back on

1. Second rider killed on black day for eventing

It was the news we all wished wasn’t true. When the second eventing death was confirmed on the same mid-June day, the equestrian world went into shock. The tragic deaths of Benjamin Winter and Jordan McDonald were a stark reminder to us all that equestrian sport comes with its dangers, but the way in which the equestrian community rallied to support each other was second to none.

2. Mary King suspended for two months

The news this eventing icon had been handed a suspension after receiving two FEI yellow cards within 12 months led to a petition from her fans to have the ban lifted. At the time of the suspension Mary said she was “shocked and devastated” by the news and that it was “embarassing”. Mary made a winning return to eventing in August.

3. Rider killed in rotational fall at Luhmühlen

The 14 June 2014 was a day the eventing community would rather not think about. The first rider to be killed on a cross-country course that day was Benjamin Winter. The talented German rider sadly lost his life at Luhmühlen horse trials, a four-star event in the rider’s home nation.

4. 25-year-old showjumping groom killed

In April 2014 it sadly emerged that a young groom had died following a suspected seizure. Groom to Irish showjumper Mark Dorgan since he was 15, Ben Fox is sadly missed on the circuit.

5. Wild Lone dies after WEG cross-country

The news rocked the equestrian world. Following a fairytale year and a stellar cross-country round as anchorman for the Great British eventing team at the World Equestrian Games (WEG), Harry Meade’s incredible four-star event horse sadly collapsed and died at the end of his cross-country round.

6. Pony dumped and left to die in rubbish bag

It was a case of extreme cruelty which was inconceivable. A foal was tied up in a rubbish bag and left to die in an alleway.

 7. Woman and horses killed in road accident

One woman and two horses were killed while the woman and her friend were leading their horses down a road. They were hit by a pick-up truck (not at pictured location).

8. Opposition Buzz dies just weeks after retiring

9. Woman dies riding on the beach

A woman was sadly found dead on a beach (not at pictured location) in Wales after she fell from her horse during the summer.

10. Emily King on the mend after horror fall

The daughter of eventing legend Mary King took a nasty tumble at this year’s Junior European Eventing Championships in August. Thankfully eventing’s safety measures ensured horse and rider walked away from the fall and the pair were back in action shortly afterwards.

Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.