American eventing team horse Task Force put down

American event rider Jan Byyny’s team horse Task Force was put down on Saturday (22 March, ’08) after suffering a hindleg injury while warming up at the Southern Pines II Horse Trials in North Carolina.

The 16-year-old gelding won Jersey Fresh CCI*** in 2006, and completed the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. He also competed in Britain, finishing 14th at Blenheim in 2003 and completing Badminton last year (pictured at The Lake).

“I have been lucky enough to ride ‘Jedi’ for the last eight years and could not have asked for a better partner, friend, and companion,” said Jan.

“He had many ‘Jedi moments’, but has been a fantastic horse. I will miss him tremendously. Thank you to the Southern Pines crew for taking such great care of us.”

Statement about the incident on United States Eventing Association website

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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.