The chesnut gelding by Clover Hill had an exceptional career, winning the five-year-old national championships at the Dublin Horse Show before he was bought by Sally Glassman and moved to America for Babington to ride.

Together ‘King’ and Babington finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympics and were eighth at 2002 World Equestrian Games. Well known for his consistency at the top level, the gelding carried Babington to victory in the King George V Cup at Hickstead in 2003, among numerous other competitions.

Carling King won a team gold medal for Ireland at the European Championships in 2001, won the Hickstead Grand Prix in 2000 and served on 11 winning Nations Cup teams.

“He was my once in a lifetime partner that many riders only dream of having,” said Babington. “We travelled all over the world and jumped at the Olympics, European Championships, World Championships, had numerous Grand Prix victories and he was one of the most successful Nations Cup horses to ever represent Ireland.”

Carlign King was bred in Glenamaddy, Co Galway by the late Dr Pat Geraghty and was produced in his early years by Michael Buckley. The gelding retired from competition in 2007 at the age of 16, and lived out his retirement on Babington’s Pennsylvanian farm.

“This horse put me on the map and I will be forever grateful that he came into my life. He was loved and will be missed by many,” added Babington.