Irish eventer Aoife Clark has paid tribute to her London 2012 Olympic ride Master Crusoe, who has died aged 25.
“Thank you for being my friend, my partner, for changing my life,” said Aoife (29 April).
Aoife produced the Master Imp son, known at home as Paddy, up the ranks from a six-year-old. The pair were fifth in their first advanced at Aston-le-Walls in July 2009, and that year finished 13th in the Blenheim eight-and-nine-year-olds. In 2010 they picked up top-10 placings at four-star at Chatsworth, Barbury and Blenheim and the following year completed their first Badminton, finishing 48th.
Aoife and Master Crusoe finished seventh individually at the London 2012 Games and were eighth at Badminton in 2013. Their last competition together was in April 2014 at Weston Park.
Aoife said Paddy was “truly one in a million”.
“I loved him unlike any other. Small in size, but huge in ability and heart, he has been such a huge part of my life, and I would not have the career I have without him,” she said.
“From Olympics, Badminton, to decking me in a dressage lesson with Carl Hester, and getting sent home from hunting for overtaking the hounds, it’s been a hell of a ride, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
“Jumping a triple clear at the London Olympics to finish seventh, and going into that huge atmosphere together, was the highlight of our competitive career, two hearts as one.”
Aoife added that Paddy was the sharpest horse she had ever sat on, but said he had the “hugest heart and will”.
“Wow, did he try me as a five-year-old, but I would get to 10-minutes on a cross-country and merely click to encourage him home and he would take off with me,” she said.
“He was the biggest dote in the stable, loved cuddles, super chilled, and had a wildness, and independence, to ride that taught me so much, as a rider and as a person.”
Paddy enjoyed his retirement with Aoife.
“He was hacked every other day and scared numerous grooms off hacking him with his antics, even recently,” she said.
“He will be hugely missed by everyone at home, and those who have had the pleasure of looking after him over the years.”
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