At a press conference held earlier today in Toronto, it was revealed that an acute aortic rupture was the cause of Hickstead’s sudden death, Sunday, November 6th, in Italy.
An emotional Eric Lamaze recounted the tragedy, which took place following their round at the FEI World Cup qualifier in Verona – a 13-jump effort, in which the pair had just one rail down.
“He jumped very well the first and second day, and actually jumped very well the last day,” an said Lamaze. “He just collapsed. Nothing was unusual with the round. Even the last jump felt normal.