Blow for Mary King

Helen and Nick Engert’s Ryan V ridden by Mary King died after suffering a suspected heart attack at Weston Park Horse Trials yesterday (6 April).

The 12-year-old gelding, who was entered for Badminton, had jumped the first sixth fences in exemplary fashion before Mary reported feeling him falter just a couple of strides off the seventh.

The horse jumped the fence – they were too close to pull out – and then faltered again a few strides on before Mary pulled him up.

Initially, Mary believed the horse had pulled a muscle, but as she started to takehim back to the stables, the horse went down.

Weston also saw Brett Kenyon who was first and second in the Young Rider Trial at Witton Castle break his elbow in an unlucky fall two-thirds of the way round the advanced track.

He looks likely to be on the sidelines for the next couple of months.

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