25-year-old showjumping groom dies
A 25-year-old showjumping groom has died following a suspected seizure.
Ben Fox had been a groom to Irish showjumper Mark Dorgan since he was 15 and was head lad at his base in Hampshire.
“He was immensely popular and well-known on the circuit,” Mark told H&H.
“He knew everything there was to know about horses.
“For someone to stay with you for 10 years is practically unheard of these days.”
“Although Ben was a groom he also rode the horses a bit and jumped at Hickstead last September.
“It had always been a dream of his to jump there.”
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Ben is survived by his father Brendan, mother Iris and siblings Katie and Liam.
“It has been a massive shock for everyone but especially hard for his family,” Mark added.
“I would like to extend my condolences to the rest of his family and the huge number of friends, for the most popular, jovial and helpful person I have ever me.”
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.