Former Olympic dressage horse dies

Mester Mouse, who was part of the British dressage team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, has died at the age of 23.

The news comes just three weeks after the death of Elisabeth, Lady Joicey who part owned him with Joanna Jackson who rode him throughout his career .

The May Sherif gelding was bought as a six-year-old by Lady Joicey for herself, but Joanna took over the ride soon after she arrived at Etal Manor and the pair went up through the grades together.

They won the National Championships on six occasions as well as winning and been placed on the international stage before their Olympic call up.

Mester Mouse was still bring ridden up to his death which was due to a stroke.

“He was the most amazinghorse,”said Jo who retired him from competition the year after Atlanta.” He took me all over the world and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to get the ride on a horse like him.”

Mester Mouse was the first of the more elegant type of dressage horse that has since become the norm’ and he will be remembered for his fantastic passage and his flamboyant extended trot.

“He was also one of the kindest horses to do; he didn’t have a nasty bone in his body. I’ll never be able to replace him,” said Jo.

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