Samantha Lissington’s secure star Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ has been dominated out of competition for the New Zealand eventing squad on the 2026 World Championships (11 to 23 August).
The 15-year-old gelding, whom Samantha owns with husband Brayden and Pip McCarroll, recorded a profession excessive when ending second within the CCI5* at Longines Luhmühlen final 12 months. This month, they have been additionally runners-up to Tom McEwen and JL Dublin in Defender Bramham’s CCI4*-S.
Samantha has an thrilling string and four-star type with a number of different horses, so this doesn’t imply the top of her personal journey to choice for Aachen. However it’s a blow. At Bramham, she spoke of her hopes of attending to the worlds with Sooty, the horse who she owes “numerous credit score for my profession”.
Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ. Credit score: Bex Pattenden.
Yesterday (28 June), Samantha stated that she was “heartbroken to share that Sooty has picked up an harm” and won’t be making the journey to the eventing World Championships this 12 months.
“A ten-year partnership collectively, taking up the world. Essentially the most real little sidekick I might have requested for, strong as a rock by way of the ups and downs of my studying curves,” she stated.
“He gave us our first five-star podium final 12 months in improbable firm, then confirmed all his class at Bramham a number of weeks in the past – our hearts damage for what might have been in August.
“For now he’ll take pleasure in some well-earned relaxation within the subject, we’ll see what the longer term holds.”
She added that Sooty is “pleased and cozy” and can “little doubt” take pleasure in bossing her retired five-star campaigner, Ricker Ridge Rui.
“An enormous thanks to Pip McCarroll, what a journey we’ve had – it’s been an absolute privilege to trip him, and to have you ever by my facet all the best way,” she stated.
You may additionally be focused on:
Ros Canter, Tom McEwen and Laura Collett on their victory lap on the Paris 2024 Olympics. All three members of the gold medal-winning staff characteristic among the many entries for the 2026 World Championships.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Germany’s Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice at Aachen 2025.
Credit score: Alamy
H&H senior information author
Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound staff in 2015, Lucy has reported from main world sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call a number of. She has coated present affairs and sports activities information throughout the complete spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, trade information and courtroom circumstances.
