Chuffy Clarke’s horse Second Supreme collapsed and died while running cross-country in the CCI***-Under 25 division at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials in West Yorkshire, England, on June 9.
“Second Supreme, a 16-year-old gelding, stumbled and collapsed after jumping fence 24, a trakehner, and subsequently passed away,” read a statement from the event officials. “The exact cause of death is unknown at this stage but is suspected to be of natural causes.”
The Irish Sport Horse was brought to the two-star level by Czech rider Jaroslav Hatla. Pippa Funnell began competing “Ed” in 2013 and rode him to the four-star level. In 2017, Clarke took over the ride. The horse was co-owned by Funnell and Marek Sebestak.
“This has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write,” Clarke wrote on her Facebook page. “I’m completely devastated to say that my very special boy, Ed, passed away on the [cross-country] yesterday at Bramham.
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“For those who were lucky enough to have known him, know just how unique he really was. He was a true, polite, quiet gentleman on the ground. He never wanted to be any trouble. He would light up at a show because he knew he would get to go [cross-country], his favourite thing. There will definitely never be one quite like him! I am honoured to have ridden such a talented horse that was beautiful on the inside and out and am heart broken to have lost him, but I take comfort in the fact that he was doing what he loved the most and we were having the round of our lives together.
“I can’t put into words the partnership I had with him from the moment I took on the ride. I am so grateful to Pippa for giving me the opportunity and so glad that she, [groom] Frankie [Murrell] and [Marek Sebestak] have been able to enjoy the amazing highs I have had with him and were able to say goodbye.
“The yard at home won’t be the same without him; he even got my Dad back riding at Christmas after two years off and got Mum back on the gallops. He looked after anyone that was on him. He will always have a special place on our hearts. RIP Ed.”
