Samantha Lissington’s 15-year-old gelding Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ has been withdrawn from contention for the New Zealand eventing squad at the 2026 World Championships due to injury.
The horse sustained the injury this month, ending plans for the event scheduled from 11 to 23 August. Lissington announced the news on 28 June, describing herself as heartbroken after a decade-long partnership.
“He gave us our first five-star podium last year in fantastic company, then showed all his class at Bramham a few weeks ago,” she said. The pair finished second in the CCI5* at Longines Luhmühlen in 2025 and were runners-up at Defender Bramham’s CCI4*-S event.
Lissington noted that Sooty is happy and comfortable and will now rest in the field. She said the horse will enjoy time with her retired campaigner Ricker Ridge Rui.
She added that the setback does not end her own selection hopes for the championships in Aachen, as she has other horses with strong form.
