Be grateful for your horse - Horse fatality at Tattersalls

[CastleMouse]

Alberto Giugni's Catherston Defender died at the water combination today at Tattersalls. You hear and read about things like these happening, but when you see it all happen it hits you even harder.

I saw him during the dressage and in the stable yard on Thursday, and he was such a sweet horse. I was at the water complex when it happened. He awkwardly jumped into the water and fell, and he tried his hardest to get up but he just couldn't. When they put up screens I knew what was happening, and moments later there was a gun shot. I think everyone felt a chill down their spine, and Alberto was trying hard to keep himself together whilst his groom was in bits.

He'll be going home with one less horse on the lorry, so be grateful that you have your horses, no matter how badly behaved they are, at the end of the day you'll still be able to hug them.

I'm actually crying writing this, and the first thing I did when I got home was give Ali a big cuddle. I'm even more grateful to have him now.

[only_me]

RIP

Having seen it happen, all i can say is that the ground team and the vets/horse ambulance were fantastic and it was dealt with very smoothly and efficiently. Unfortuntatley it was at the water fence (the main one) so there were hundreds of people watching, but screens were put up. After this tragic accident the ground team decided to remove the water jump from the course (after those held on course finished the rest of the course)

Thoughts with all concerned xx

[CastleMouse]

I was there when the riders had a meeting - They unanimously agreed to remove it.

[AutumnRose]

What an awful, awful thing to happen. Cannot imagine how horrific it is to go home without your horse in the lorry.

Does make you think....even though i had a bit of a rubbish day, at least my pony is tucked up eating hay atm.

RIP pony

[Rachi]

gah, thats awful. I dont know what I'd do if anything happened to Toby. =| RIP x

[k1963]

That's so sad . I agree , be thankful you & your horse are in one piece , even though he or she behaved badly / you weren't placed / you were eliminated , etc .

I know it doesn't sound very competitive , but the alternative is terrible .

[k1963]

Sorry , that didn't read very well . I did not mean it was the riders fault whatsoever . Think I would give up judging after witnessing a fatality like that .

Sympathy to all involved .

[3BayGeldings]

My goodness, not another one so, so sad for all who who knew and looked after him.

[diggerbez]

oh my god what is going on...? it seems almost constant bad news how sad

[k1963]

I hope & pray we don't get another 2008 type year , but it looks like it