MR Medicott, the Kerry-bred dual Olympic event horse, died this week. Foaled in 1999, the Cruising gelding was bred in Castleisland by the late Dr Donal Geaney.

By Cruising out of the Edmund Burke mare Slieveluachra, the traditionally bred gelding was related to another world-class eventer in Supreme Rock. Produced as a youngster by Francis Connors, he was sold as a six-year-old to Germany. He and Frank Ostholt competed at the 2006 World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) championships at Le Lion d’Angers where he placed fifth.

Two years later ‘Cave’ and Ostholt were selected for the Hong Kong Olympics where their clear show jumping round helped seal Germany’s team gold medal. Mr Medicott also competed at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky before the horse’s sale to an American syndicate.

Competed at the London Olympics by Karen O’Connor, they were the best American combination in individual ninth. Phillip Dutton then took over the reins and on their final five-star event at Rolex Kentucky in 2017, they were the highest-place home rider in fourth place.

Mr Medicott retired to Jacqueline Mars Stonehall Farm in Virginia where he was visited this summer by Dan Geaney, his breeder’s grandson, who is now based with David Blake.

His father Donie was in Germany this week visiting another son Jack, currently working at Gestüt Sprehe, home of Stakkato Gold. Speaking to The Irish Field, en-route to Lanaken, Donie had fond memories of the ‘horse of a lifetime.’

“That’s what he was really. It was amazing how he left a big impression on everyone that had him. When you’re breeding horses, you’re always thinking you mightn’t breed that special one but he was.”