Goodbye to Ballincoola

I have many people to thank for the attention this video has got, and I hope it sent a real star of British Eventing off well.
Thankyou to Fergus Payne (his current rider at the time of B's death) for contacting me, and to his family, Judy Skinner (owner) , I'm so glad it was appreciated by those who were directly involved. Another thankyou to William Fox-Pitt for posting it on his website, that was truely amazing.

The great event horse Balincoola died on the 22nd September from a heart attack warming up at a BSJA competition with young rider Fergus Payne. My thoughts go to Judy Skinner his owner, the Paynes and ofcourse his previous rider William Fox-Pitt.

Max" amassed 1637 British Eventing points and completed 15 three-day events, nine of which were at four-star. Since 2008, he has been competed by Fergus Payne, whose father Michael and grandmother Judy Skinner have owned Ballincoola since 2002.

When Max won the British Eventing horse of the year [for winning the most BE points that season] in 2008 I was so proud — he so deserved the recognition."

Judy adds: "He was my horse of a lifetime. My only sadness is that despite being reserve three times he never made the British team and therefore perhaps hasn't had the credit he deserved."

R.I.P to a real unsung hero and massive character of the sport. British Eventing lost a real talent that day. He will be sadly missed and warmly remembered.


To read a full Horse&Hound report visit this link: http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/302133.html

Honours for Ballincoola:

#15 - Top Favourited (Today)) - Sport
#43 - Top Rated (Today)) - Sport
#13 - Top Favourited (Today)) - Sport
#23 - Top Rated (Today)) - Sport
#10 - Most Discussed (Today)) - Sport
#6 - Top Favourited (Today)) - Sport
#72 - Top Favourited (Today)) - Sport - Global
#13 - Top Rated (Today)) - Sport
#77 - Top Rated (This Week)) - Sport

#45 - Most Discussed (This Week)) - Sport
#41 - Most Viewed (Today)) - Sport
#40 - Top Rated (This Week)) - Sport

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• RIP
• Ballincoola
• Eventing
• William Fox-Pitt
• Burghley
• 2005

[sxyfaye]

I just found out that my horse has a serious heart condition and could have a heart attack at any point so he is unrideable we luckily found out due to him having colic and i only wish that they were able to detect ballincoolas :( Poor pony R.I.P Ballincoola a real leggend, sleep well xx

[AdrenalineArt]

@sxyfaye - I'm so sorry that must be very hard for you, all the best with him xx

[woznme]

Great use of the audio here Sarah.

Nice job!

[AdrenalineArt]

@woznme - Thankyou Peter :) x

[Hopussss]

what are music ?

[flips1231]

Speachless, This video is purely stunning. This NEEDS to be shown to the brittish eventing time, there will be many tears.

[FaithfulHorseRider]

Loved this! Beautiful video.. where is the audio from?

[popuipopui]

Made me cry! </3

Such a beautiful video.

[SherbetLily]

This is so superb. It gave me shivers and put tears in my eyes! xx

[pointedgrouse]

balincoola was pure irish no warm blood.

[Marthalilythompson]

This gavce me shivvers it's so beautiful :( whats the song,i really need it for my dressage test,no worries if not i guess:L xxx

[BaileyRocks4Ever]

This is the best video on the entire of youtube. I actually adore it! :O heard he had irish blood in him, he's my favourite famous horse! I cried when I heard he has passed :'( and this video is...holy crap. R.I.P Ballincoola ! <3