Mr Hiho, who brought home a junior individual silver medal with Emily King and won internationally for other riders, was put down yesterday (17 March), aged 22.
“He was an incredible horse and I was very lucky to ride him for Patsy Mason, who so kindly got involved with him back when I was very young,” said Emily.
Mr Hiho was bought as a five-year-old from Vicky Tuffs by Patsy for Emily to ride. The pair were consistently very successful at national level, with numerous good placings in under-21 open intermediates and third in an under-25 advanced at Aston-le-Walls in 2012.
Fourth place in the under-18 national championships at Glanusk in 2011 led to selection for the junior Europeans in Vale Sabroso, where they finished seventh individually. The following year they won individual silver at the championships at Strzegom, and they were team members at a third junior Europeans at Jardy in 2013.
“He was very tall and very quirky, but we learnt a huge amount together,” Emily told H&H.
“He was the sort of horse when you rode him well, he was a good boy – and then he was quirky and he did throw in some things that caused heartache at times, but he made me grow hugely from his character.
“He had some amazing results, including the fact I won my first youth medal on him. He and Brookleigh were going at the same time and he was one of the first horses I rode at advanced and four-star level.
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“Mr Hiho had so much ability and he also went on to have great results with Oliver Townend and David Doel.”
Mr Hiho won the CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) at Burnham Market and the CCI2* (now CCI3*-L) at Ballindenisk with Oliver in 2015.
In 2016, he won the CIC2* (now CCI3*-S) at Nunney with David Doel and the pair went on to finish second at Ballindenisk CIC3* (now CCI4*-S) in 2018 and second at Burgham CCI3*-S in 2021. He won his final eventing run, an advanced with David at the end of 2021.
David Doel and Mr Hiho at Tweseldown in 2020.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Emily’s mother, double Badminton Horse Trials winner Mary King, described Mr Hiho as “instrumental” in both Emily and David Doel’s careers.
After he retired from eventing, Mr Hiho competed in British Dressage with Elizabeth Burke, winning more than 20 classes up to prix st georges level.
Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
