March 17, 2006 – Schomberg, Ontario – On Sunday, March 12, Beth Underhill's famous show jumping horse, Altair, died at the age of 18 following a sudden illness.

Purchased in the Netherlands in 1995, Altair went on to enjoy a short but prolific show jumping career. Making his grand prix debut in 1997, Altair enjoyed a successful first season that included victory in the World Cup Qualifier at the Capital Classic Horse Show in Ottawa, ON. A paddock accident at the beginning of 1998 would have been career-ending for most horses, but Altair was no ordinary animal. As a testament to his bravery and pure physical strength, he recovered to represent Canada at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy, and also compete on the Nations' Cup teams at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, AB, the National Horse Show in New York City, and Toronto's Royal Horse Show where Canada emerged victorious.

In 1999, Altair continued to awe show jumping fans with his incredible talent. After claiming the Canadian Show Jumping Championship at Spruce Meadows, Underhill and Altair won the World Cup Qualifier in Blainville, QC, and went on to win the Canadian World Cup League. Members of the Bronze Medal Team at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, AB, Underhill and Altair then finished runner-up in the richest show jumping event in the world, the $800,000 du Maurier International, held at the 1999 Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament where Underhill was also named the Leading Lady Rider.

In October, after jumping a clear round in the Pulsar Crown Grand Prix in Monterrey, Mexico, Altair showed his pleasure by bucking as he crossed through the timers. Unfortunately, his jubilance resulted in re-injury, and although he would return to the grand prix ring in 2001 to win the $35,000 Grand Prix at The Oaks, CA, and the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix in the Catskills, NY, in 2002, Altair never fully recovered his previous international form.

Throughout his career, the magnificent Dutch Warmblood gelding by Voltaire captured the imagination and hearts of show jumping fans with his physical presence, athletic ability, and the pure pleasure he took in jumping. Even in retirement, Altair continued to receive fan mail and visitors often stopped by Underhill's farm to see him.

"He was so special right from the beginning, from the first time I saw him," said Underhill who purchased Altair from Paul Hendrix in the Netherlands. "Given how special and talented he was, you expected that he would go on and on, but his career was short-lived. I am so grateful for that last year in 1999, it was just magical, culminating in being second in the du Maurier International by only tenths of a second. That, and riding on the winning Nations' Cup team at the 1998 Royal Horse Show, my all-time favourite show, and having my mom there to watch us in what would be the last Royal she attended, was such a special memory. They are once in a lifetime moments, and Altair made them possible. All of his successes were great accomplishments for Canada, and that is very important to me."

Anyone who ever watched Altair compete understood Underhill's deep affection for her horse. She explains, "This is a horse that I ended up buying back twice in order to keep him. Even the last time, it was doubtful that he would ever compete again, but he meant so much to me. He had something that was indefinable. He was one of the most intelligent horses I ever had. He always gave me his best, and I couldn't imagine being separated from him. It has never been that way before or since. He touched a lot of people throughout his career; he just had that innate ability to affect people."

Before Altair, Underhill enjoyed great success with Monopoly, now 26, her partner at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and with whom she won over $1 million in prize money. For the past four years, Monopoly and Altair kept each other company in retirement.

"I want all of his fans to know how much Altair enjoyed his retirement and his time spent in the paddock with Monopoly," says Underhill. "The support from all of his fans has been incredible, and it is very special to know that they never forgot him even when he was no longer competing. I also would like to extend my gratitude to Paul Hendrix for recognizing our connection when I first tried him and giving me the opportunity to buy him when he could have sold him for a lot more money; Torchy Millar for all of his guidance throughout Altair's career; and my partner, David Marion, for the care and love he gave to Altair in his final years."

Altair will be buried at Underhill's farm in Schomberg, ON. Donations can be made in Altair's memory to the World Wildlife Fund by visiting www.worldwildlife.org or by calling 1-800-225-5993.