It is with a heavy heart that British Showjumping share the news that Hearts Destiny was put to sleep yesterday after a short illness with a metabolic disease that no further assistance could be given for to keep him comfortable.

Hearts Destiny, an 11 year-old gelding (Heart Throb x Rabino) owned by Gordon & Su Hall alongside rider Holly Smith,  with whom he built up an outstanding partnership,  was a mainstay of the British Nations Cup and Championship teams during the past two years.  He made 11 team appearances in total between 2018 with two of them being at Championship level, the most recent of which was last year at the European Championships in Rotterdam where he played a pivotal role in securing Great Britain qualification for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Making his first appearance in May 2018, with Holly, at a 3* Nations Cup show in Linz where he jumped double clear, he was then selected for the 5* Nations Cup team in St Gallen the following month where he repeated his performance. 

With the heart of a lion and the scope to match, Hearts Destiny or Ted as he was affectionately known at home, became the horse that everyone would rely on such was his consistency.  He came up through the ranks with his co-owner and rider Holly Smith and he always gave everything his all, living up to his name in so many ways.

Talking about Hearts Destiny, Gordon Hall said “It’s been an absolute journey and a pleasure to own such a wonderful horse and I just want to express my thanks to everyone who has been involved with him in his career.  Anyone that knows myself and Su will know that we love our horses with a passion.  Ted was very much a member of our family and losing him has been devastating”.

Di Lampard, World Class Performance Manager for Showjumping, paid tribute by saying  “He was a horse in a million or more as he was so straight forward  and had a ‘Tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it’ type of mentality.   What makes it even sadder is I honestly feel we hadn’t seen the best of him yet.  For the past couple of years he’s been Mr Reliable and I’ve worked with him very closely; to say really I’m really upset would be an understatement”.

Iain Graham, Chief Exeutive of British Showjumping said “Hearts Destiny has been a fantastic horse for Great Britain and it is very sad news to hear of his passing. My heartfelt condolences go to owners Gordon and Su Hall at this time as we know what he meant to them as well as to Holly who co-owned him and with whom she developed into the top level championship rider that she is today.  He was a character in his own right with a huge following and his presence will be greatly missed within the British Team ranks”.

British Showjumping would like to take this opportunity to express their gratitude to Gordon and Su Hall, along with Holly, for always ensuring Hearts Destiny was available to represent his country throughout his career and for the tremendous role he played in Team GB’s success.

Image:  LewisHarding Photography

Courtesy of British Showjumping