Dressage rider Gemma Owen is “heartbroken and in full shock” after her junior workforce horse Sirius Black III died instantly on Friday (3 February) aged 18.
The Stedinger gelding, who was recognized at dwelling as Siz, died following a “sudden and extreme sickness”.
“Phrases can’t describe how a lot this horse meant to me and my household. He was really one in one million,” mentioned Gemma. “Everybody who met Siz will know the way wonderful and caring his temperament was. He was taken far too quickly. He has left us all heartbroken and in full shock.”
Gemma Owen and Sirius Black competed internationally for Britain in junior and younger rider ranks, together with on the junior European Dressage Championships in Oliva, Spain, in 2021. The workforce, additionally that includes Annabella Pidgley, Mette Dahl and Holly Kerslake, completed sixth.
Gemma completed as runner-up on ITV’s Love Island in 2022, and her coach Sarah Higgins took over the trip on Siz whereas Gemma was away within the Love Island villa. With Sarah, Siz claimed a Permier League victory at prix st georges (PSG) and competed on the Nationwide Dressage Championships in September 2022 at PSG and inter I.
Grand prix rider Sarah described Siz’s loss of life as “completely heartbreaking”, including: “I used to be so lucky to have the ability to share within the journey with him and Gem.
“He was probably the most type and delicate horse and each approach and might be deeply missed by everybody who was fortunate sufficient to be a part of his life.”
Since returning to the dressage enviornment post-Love Island, Gemma and Siz clocked up a number of wins on the nationwide circuit, scoring a private better of 73.95% at PSG in December, and profitable at Enviornment UK and Vale View Excessive Profile reveals.
Final month, Gemma informed H&H that her plan for 2023 was “To get out [competing] as a lot as I can”.
Following the lack of Siz, she mentioned: “You taught me a lot Siz and I’ll by no means be capable of thanks sufficient. You introduced a lot pleasure and happiness to our lives and also you’ll by no means get replaced, I really like you endlessly.”
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Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
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