US eventer Michael Pollard’s team of horses was involved in a road accident just five miles from his yard in Dalton, Georgia this morning (25 May).
His trailer turned over trapping all six horses on board.
Five horses – Icarus, Schoensgreen, Hanni, Jude’s Law, Raphael and Little Star – were cut free and survived with minor cuts.
But Michael’s new ride, the stallion VDL Ulando H died at the scene. His owner Ruth Armstrong is “more than devastated” by the loss of her horse.
No people were injured in the accident.
On facebook, Michael wrote: “I felt like Ulando was the most exciting horse in the barn and I was already getting teased by the girls that he was my pet. I am devastated by the loss. Wish there was something more to be done.”
Michael travelled over to Britain last year to compete at Burghley Horse Trials with Icarus, but suffered a nasty fall jumping into the water.
He and Hanni won team gold at the 2011 Pan American Games.