Death of a showing superstar
Scotch The Rumours one of the most consistent working hunters in recent years has died of a heart attack
Tim Fairburn’s triple HOYS working hunter winner, Scotch The Rumours, died suddenly of a heart attack on the eve of this year’s show.
The charismatic 10-year-old grey, featured in the “Ride of my Life” article in Horse & Hound (26 September), was one of the most consistently successful show horses of recent years.
He collapsed and died shortly after having been turned out in the field as usual yesterday morning (Tuesday 8 October).
“Obviously it was a tremendous and awful shock,” said Tim. “One minute he was trotting down the field to his favourite corner, and the next, he was gone.
“I’m only thankful that I was with him, so I do have the comfort of knowing exactly what happened and that he didn’t suffer. He had shown absolutely no signs of any illness, though, and the vet said it was just one of those things that can happen at any time.
“He was my horse of a lifetime, and we will all miss him so much.”
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