The USEA is saddened to report that Canadian eventer Holly Jacks-Smither's five-star horse More Inspiration died on Feb. 19. He was 18.
Bred in Canada by Display Farm, the Thoroughbred gelding (Inspired Prospect x Gentle Buck) started 28 times at the track and had four wins.
Jacks-Smither bought "Morris" when he was 4 as a resale project, but after he completed his first CCI2*-L in 2012, she decided to keep him.
While Morris was tricky, Jacks-Smither never gave up on him. They completed their first CCI4*-L at Jersey Fresh (Allentown, New Jersey) in 2015, then were selected to represent Canada at the Aachen CCIO4*-S in Germany that summer.
They completed the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2017 and the Pau CCI5*-L (France) in 2019. Their last competition was the Stable View CCI4*-S (Aiken, South Carolina) in March 2021.
"My $2,000 sales investment who I couldn’t sell stuck around to change my life," said Jacks-Smither in a Facebook post. "If it wasn’t for you, Morris, I would have been on a totally different career path. You taught me that hard work truly pays off; that thinking outside the box is a must to be successful with the tricky ones; that a big heart matters more than confirmation; and that hard work and perseverance get results. From a gallop girl at Woodbine Race track where we met, to my first Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany, my first five-star at Kentucky, and my first European five-star in Pau, France… we did it all together. I’ll never have another horse like you.
"Thank you for challenging me, teaching me and giving me so much joy," she continued. "But most importantly, thank you for being my soul mate and making me believe that life can be changed because of one special OTTB and a dream."
The USEA sends our condolences to Jacks-Smither and all of those who shared connections with Morris.
A field of top veteran riders is entered in this year’s Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier, at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, which returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27.
Trainers are some of the most important people in our lives. They develop our skills, ensure that our horses receive quality care, and look out for our best interests as equestrians.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Joyce Good of Leesburg, Virginia. Margaret passed away peacefully Thursday, February 27, 2025. Born October 8, 1929, in Clay Township, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Clark and Jane Pfiefer.
At The Event at TerraNova last November, Canadian Jessica Phoenix narrowly missed winning the CCI4*-L with Fluorescent Adolescent, finishing second overall with two rails down. Today, the Olympic veteran found redemption and not only won the B&D Builders CCI4*-S with Freedom GS, but finished second once again with Fluorescent Adolescent.