Arctic Soul: Moments from his glorious career

Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul

(Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

The equestrian community mourned the loss of a legend when eventer Gemma Tattersall announced the passing of her top horse Arctic Soul, who died aged 19 last week (9 April).

Arctic Soul — an ex-racehorse by Luso known as “Spike” at home — was one of the greatest cross-country horses of all time, and he developed a formidable partnership with Gemma, which spanned over a decade.

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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.

9 glorious moments from Arctic Soul’s superb career

Spike won an advanced at Weston Park, on Saturday (9 April) on his dressage score and died of a suspected heart attack after crossing the cross-country finish line.

H&H takes a look back at some of his career highlights…

Spike, who was owned by the Soul Syndicate of Gemma, Marcelle and Clare Tattersall, Linda Allan, Chris and Lisa Stone and Charlotte and Martyn Huggett, landed third place at Blenheim in 2013, the highest placed British combination.

Gemma and her “bestie” Spike began their partnership in 2012 and the following year they stormed to fifth place at Burghley.

In 2015, Gemma and Spike achieved 16th place at their first Badminton together.

…before finishing ninth at the European Eventing Championships held at Blair Castle later in the year.

Gemma and Spike took third place at Badminton in 2016, their best result at the prestigious event.

In 2017, Spike and Gemma were crowned British Open champions at the Festival of British Eventing held at Gatcombe.

Gemma and Spike stormed to third at Burghley in 2017.

They then finished fourth at a hotly-contested Badminton in 2018…

…before being part of the gold-winning team at the World Equestrian Games in Tyron 2018. This was Gemma’s fourth consecutive senior championship team call-up.

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