British eventer William Fox-Pitt reported yesterday, July 28, that Tamarillo, his mount for winning the 2004 Badminton CCI***** and 2008 Burghley CCI**** (Great Britain), was euthanized at 23.
“Age had simply caught up with [him],” stated Fox-Pitt’s website. “He had an incredible presence, he was one in a million, and I feel very lucky to have partnered him for all those special years.”
The Anglo-Arabian gelding was bred by the Guinness family at the Biddesden Stud, and Fox-Pitt took over the ride in 2009. In addition to the four-star wins, the gelding also placed second at Badminton twice. The pair was part of 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (Germany) team silver.
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Tamarillo retired in a ceremony at Badminton in 2009, when he was 19.
“He has spent a long and happy retirement under the watchful eye of Jackie Potts—who travelled with him to every major championship and did the most wonderful job in keeping him in peak condition for so many years,” said the statement on Fox-Pitt’s website. “He was in great shape right until the end. All of us at Fox-Pitt Eventing will miss him hugely.”
