So once upon a time I used to be a high level show groom for several summers, in part to pay for college. Horses that I looked after were showing and winning at the Royal Winter Fair (although I never did get to go to the fair!) in the Hunters and the Jumpers.
In 2003 the owners I was working for had a promising up and coming jumper. IM had been courting them, calling them every day, wanting to ride him. So when we got to the first show IM showed up to ride the horse, and everything went fine for the first couple of days until the Horse dumped IM in the show ring in front of everyone. The next day 2 of us had to hold the horse for IM to get on, and then watched in horror as he proceeded to hit the horse several times HARD with his crop (this was the NEXT day! ). If you know anything about Canadian showjumping you will know who IM is, and believe me the niceness that you see on TV is a front.
The next day Eric gets the ride on the Horse. There was no fake attempt at conversation, just a professional and fun conversation about the horse, what he liked and didn't like and what Eric would like us to help with. He was great to work for. Professional, nice, and let us do our jobs because we knew what was best for the Horse.
I hope he doesnt retire, but I can understand why he would want to step down to just coaching and training. Either way the loss of Hickstead was a huge one for Canada and for Eric.
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