The death of 17-year old eventing legend Opposition Buzz sent shock waves around equestrian world yesterday (9 November). He was put down on veterinary advice on Saturday 8 November following a seizure. This was just seven weeks after his final eventing run, where he had finished second in an advanced section at Allerton Park.
Pathfinder at four consecutive championships for the British team, ‘Dodi’ won a full set of team medals (gold, silver and bronze) and took his rider, Nicola Wilson, to the London 2012 Olympic Games — where Britain secured silver.
Upon hearing the news, eventing fans took to social media to pay tribute to this brilliant equine athlete and celebrate his outstanding career. See what they had to say below…
@NWEventing our thoughts are with you, Rosemary Search & everyone connected to the wonderful 'Dodi', he will be sadly missed @TeamGBR@NWEventing our thoughts are with you, Rosemary Search & everyone connected to the wonderful 'Dodi', he will be sadly missed @TeamGBR— British Eventing (@BEventing) November 9, 2014— British Eventing (@BEventing) November 9, 2014
R.I.P Opposition Buzz..Truly an incredible horse!My thoughts are with Nicola &others involved with this amazing horse pic.twitter.com/Cw53y39ctrR.I.P Opposition Buzz..Truly an incredible horse!My thoughts are with Nicola &others involved with this amazing horse pic.twitter.com/Cw53y39ctr— Katherine Cross (@MissKCross) November 9, 2014— Katherine Cross (@MissKCross) November 9, 2014
Sad to hear of the loss of Opposition Buzz today. Proud to cheer him on in Greenwich XC at #London2012. #legendSad to hear of the loss of Opposition Buzz today. Proud to cheer him on in Greenwich XC at #London2012. #legend— Christopher Bourke (@kunstenaartist) November 9, 2014— Christopher Bourke (@kunstenaartist) November 9, 2014
Absolutely devastated to hear the news of Opposition Buzz .A true legend who will never be replaced. Thoughts with @NWEventing & Lynn x #RIPAbsolutely devastated to hear the news of Opposition Buzz .A true legend who will never be replaced. Thoughts with @NWEventing & Lynn x #RIP— Emily King (@emilykingg_) November 9, 2014— Emily King (@emilykingg_) November 9, 2014
Opposition Buzz- the best event horse of all time, in my opinion and a credit to Nicola. Rest in peace boy. #beyondawesome@NWEventingOpposition Buzz- the best event horse of all time, in my opinion and a credit to Nicola. Rest in peace boy. #beyondawesome@NWEventing— Boffie Brown (@pandbeventing) November 9, 2014— Boffie Brown (@pandbeventing) November 9, 2014
Opposition Buzz fact file
Stable name: Dodi
Foaled: 1997
16.1hh black gleding by Fleetwater Opposition out of Java Tiger mare Jungle Bee
Owned and bred by Rosemary Search
Dodi started eventing with Tracey Dillion, who competed him up to novice
Nicola Wilson took over the ride in 2004 and they won their first event together: a novice at Witton Castle
Out of his 101 British Eventing starts, Dodi only faulted cross-country four times
He was pathfinder for the British team at four consecutive championships.
Medal-winning performances:
Team gold 2009 European Championships, Fountainebleau
Team gold 2010 World Equestrian Games, Kentucky
Team bronze 2011 European Championships, Luhmühlen
Team silver 2012 Olympics, London
Dodi started at an impressive 12 four-star events including five Badmintons, and only didn’t complete when he suffered a rare fall at Luhmühlen in 2013
During his career he amassed 2324 British Eventing points
His best four-star results included fifth at Burghley in 2008 and seventh at Badminton in 2008 and 2011
One of the fastest cross-country horses of his time, Dodi was never more than two seconds over the optimum time over all of his Badminton appearances
Upon his retirement Nicola said: “It is his cross-country that has been amazing. I will always remember whizzing around all those cross-country tracks with ease. I will probably never have a horse quite like him again.”
Watch our behind-the-scenes footage of Lucinda Green riding Nicola Wilson’s world and European team gold medallist Opposition Buzz
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
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.
