RIP Ballincoola

We have sad news from England as Ballincoola, the 2005 Burghley champion with William Fox-Pitt, suffered a heart attack while warming up in the show jumping of an event year Bury St. Edmunds on Wednesday.  The 16 year-old gelding had competed in 15 three days over his illustrious career, including 5 long-formats and 9 four stars.  “Max” finished in the top 10 of Burghley four times, Badminton twice, and Rolex once in 2004 .  After 2008, Max became a schoolmaster for Fergus Payne, the son of his owners.  Max was buried on the Payne family farm.  It is a tragedy for all of eventing when such a wonderful horse passes away, but I am sure William and the Payne family are consoled by the fact that Max had such a wonderful and long career and passed away doing what he loved.