Farewell to Chinese eventer Alex Hua Tian’s four-star ride Magenta

Four-star horse Magenta was put down yesterday, aged 13, due to complications associated with colitis and lymphangitis.

The grey mare was produced by Abi Walters in her early career, finishing second in the 2004 British Eventing five-year-old championships.

Magenta progressed successfully to advanced and two-star level under Abi, with numerous wins and top-10 placings on the way.

After a short period with Selina Elliott, the Supreme Edge mare joined young British-based Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian in 2008.

The pair’s good results included 11th at Saumur in 2008, 12th at Blenheim CCI*** in 2009, an advanced win at Aston-le-Walls in 2010 and seventh at Hartpury CIC*** that year. She finished second in the young rider Express Eventing contest in 2010.

Magenta was also the horse with whom Alex recorded his first four-star completion, finishing 26th at Badminton in 2010 with a jumping clear across country.

“She wasn’t the most talented horse, but she had the biggest heart,” Alex told H&H. “She would have been happy doing 100 pre-novices for the rest of her life, but the more you asked, the more she gave. She was the most generous horse I’ve ever come across and she gave me everything.”

Alex kept a diary for H&H during 2009 and 2010 – read Alex’s diaries, including about his experiences at his first Badminton here.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.