Alexander Harrison's British U25 Team Ride Diamond Hill Passed Away

Dressage

Great Britain

British Under 25 team rider Alexander Harrison has lost his number one horse, Diamond Hill.

Diamond Hill was a 10-year old British Hanoverian gelding by Don Diamond out of Daylight (by Damon Hill). The FEI lists the horse as owned by Alexander Harrison in partnership with Jonny Clarke-West.

From Young Horse to Grand Prix

Harrison, who left school at age 16, worked for Matt Frost and Adam Kemp, when he discovered Diamond Hill in their yard as a 3-year old. He purchased the horse and developed it to Grand Prix level. He first competed the horse as a 4-year old in 2015 and gradually took it up the levels.

The pair made its international show debut in 2018 in the young riders division at the CDIO-YR Hagen in Germany. They were selected on the British team for the 2018 European Young Riders Championships in Fontainebleau, where they were 48th in the individual test.

In 2020 they made the transition to international Under 25 level at the CDI Keysoe, where they scored a double victory. In 2021 they clocked another international win at the CDI Wellington Heckfield before being selected for the British team at the 2021 European Under 25 Championships in Hagen, where they were 27th in the short Grand Prix. At both Europeans, Diamond Hill was the youngest horse on the British team.

Their last competition together was the CDI Keysoe in October 2021, where they finished third in the senior Grand Prix kur with 72.845%.

Untimely Passing

Unfortunately on 17 December 2021 the liver chestnut developed a bout of colic, which turned to be fatal.

"Late Friday evening Damo started to colic and was taken to the vet clinic for further help," Harrison explained. "Unfortunately In the early hours I had to say goodbye to the most generous and happy horse I have ever known. He has been the best teacher, friend and motivator I could have ever asked for and I can’t quite see life without him being the same. Forever and always, my king."