It was a sad day for eventing and Daisy Berkeley yesterday when her popular horse Spring Along died of a sudden heart attack at the Gatcombe Spring Horse Trials. 

First run

Daisy was giving her crowd pleasing horse his first run of the season at Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Estate, prior to being entered at the Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials at the end of April, which was planned to be his last three day event.

The 18-year-old bay gelding died instantly at fence 23a on the 25-fence Intermediate course designed by HRH the Princess Royal and Pattie Bidden.

Minor injuries for Daisy

Daisy herself sustained minor cuts and bruises, and was understandably very upset at the lost of her long-term partner.

Eventing hero

Spring Along went to Daisy as a five-year-old from Lucinda Fredericks and went on to represent Britain four times, achieving team gold at the 2007 European Championships, silver at the World Equestrian Games in 2006 and bronze at the 2008 Hong Kong Olympics.

Spring Along and Daisy took third place and best of British entries at Badminton last year before going on to win the British Open Championships at the Festival of British Eventing in August. Spring Along will be sadly missed by eventing fans for his cheeky character and consistency across country.

Watch video of Spring Along across country at Badminton 2010 here: http://www.horseandcountry.tv/episode/badminton-2010-cross-country-daisy-berkeley-spring-along

Watch video of Spring Along show jumping at Badminton 2010 here: http://www.horseandcountry.tv/episode/badminton-2010-showjumping-daisy-berkeley-spring-along