In Memoriam - Abbervail Dream
Thursday 10 September 2015
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Abbervail Dream, who won Team Bronze at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, at the age of 28. Mac, as he was known by all, lived out the twilight years of his life at rider Di Lampard and Dietmar Ackermann’s Spring Farm in Oakham, Leicestershire.
Mac was bought in 1990 in Ireland by Robert and Dina Verburgt as a 3 year old unbroken liver chestnut gelding from Dr. Noel Cawley. He was by the thoroughbred gelding CHAIRLIFT out of Killea Beauty by Smooth Stepper xx. After he was broken to saddle in Ireland he moved, aged 4, to Di
Lampard who started competing him in novice classes and they began a journey which would touch
many lives. Di and Mac quickly established a close bond which was to last a lifetime.
In 1993 as a 6 year old Mac qualified for three young horse finals at the Horse of the Year Show but a
collecting ring accident left Di with a broken leg. At the age of 7, Mac went to Hickstead and won the
Queen Elizabeth Cup before going on to compete in his first World Cup at Olympia in London that same year. This marked the start of a highly successful International career during which the combination became a mainstay of the British Team.
Di and Mac made their British Team debut at the CSIO Rotterdam when he was 8 years old
and this was followed by over 40 appearances in the British Team. His last appearance in the ring was at CSIO St Gallen in 2003, giving him a Nations cup career that spanned a decade. In 2004, Mac was officially retired at Hickstead with his dedicated groom of many years Hillary Thompson taking care of him that last time.
Di and Mac went to two FEI European Championships (Hickstead and Arnhem) and two FEI World
Equestrian Games (Rome and Jerez).
In 1999, readers of Horse and Hound voted Abbervail Dream “Horse of the Year”, which aptly honoured his career.
Some career highlights for Abbervail Dream and Di Lampard include:
Team Bronze at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome; 12th individually
Nations Cup wins at CSIO Dublin, Hickstead, Lummen and San Marino alongside numerous placings at CSIO Calgary, La Baule, Rome, Rotterdam and St Gallen
Double winner of the Queen Elizabeth Cup at Hickstead and twice runner-up
Winner of the Olympic Star Spotters at Horse of the Year Show
Winner of the Cock of the North at the Great Yorkshire Show
Winner of the Leading Showjumper of the Year at Horse of the Year Show
2nd in the World Cup in Helsinki, 3rd in World Cup in Oslo, 2nd Grand Prix Aarhus WC, 4th Bremen Masters, 5th Berlin Grand Prix as well as numerous other wins placings around Europe.
Owners Robert and Dina (Matta) Verburgt commented “Mac was a tough, brave yet careful blood horse with unlimited scope - he was a fighter who excelled in representing Great Britain in Nations Cups around the world. All of us will treasure our memories of him forever.”
