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
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.
Mary King (GBR)&Imperial Cavalier - Fence 1, ASX Crossover - XC - Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials - CCI4* - Badminton, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom - 05 May 2013
(Image credit: Jon Stroud)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Opposition Buzz, the popular multi-medalled event horse known as Dodi at home, died “suddenly and unexpectedly” just seven weeks into his retirement. He was the pathfinder at four consecutive championships for the British team.
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.
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She 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 Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
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