Nearly a year after he collapsed and died in a Verona, Italy, show ring following an impressive jumping round, Olympic champion steed Hickstead has been honored with a statue and tribute ceremony in his home country of Canada.

The nearly 10-foot tall bronze statue was unveiled by Hickstead’s long-time rider Eric Lamaze on Sunday (Sept. 9) during the weekend’s CSIO5* Master’s Tournament at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta.

"Every once and again we are treated to magic, to excellence, to a glance of greatness. And that is what we saw with Hickstead and Eric," said fellow Canadian and Olympic medalist Ian Millar during a tributary documentary film aired during the ceremony. The event, held in the International Ring, included Hickstead and Lamaze’s induction into the Spruce Meadows Hall of Fame.

Through a necropsy, veterinarians determined that Hickstead’s sudden death was caused by an aortic rupture. Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) veterinary director Graeme Cooke, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, explained that this kind of "tragedy" could happen to any horse and does not reflect poor management. The 15-year-old KWPN stallion, like the vast majority of FEI-level horses, was extremely well cared for and regularly monitored for good health, he said