Axel Z, ridden by Belgium’s Chloe Raty, has been put down following a fall on the CCI4* cross-country at Luhmühlen.
The official statement from the organisers of the German event reads: “It is with great sadness and regret that we announce that Chloe Raty (BEL) and Axel Z, an 11-year-old gelding, had a fall at fence 18b, an upright, while competing in the CCI**** at Luhmühlen on 16 June 2018.
“The horse received immediate veterinary attention and was transported to the veterinary clinic. Unfortunately, spinal injuries were diagnosed and Axel Z sadly could not be saved.
“The rider was taken to hospital for thorough examination, which revealed no injuries.”
Chloe, 24, and 11-year-old Axel were competing at their first CCI4* and, having scored 33.9 in the dressage, went into cross-country in 31st place. They were clear until 18b, the final element of the Messmer Pond – the second of three water complexes at Luhmühlen.
They appeared to take off early at 18a, a step up out of water, which affected their take-off point for 18b, an angled rail. Axel Z left a foreleg at the rail and fell heavily on landing. The lower part of the rider’s body was briefly underneath the horse, but she was quickly extracted. Axel Z was sedated and taken to a nearby veterinary clinic.
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Dutch rider Tim Lips leads the CCI4* at Luhmühlen after dressage, with four British riders in the top 10
Axel Z is the only horse with whom Chloe is registered to compete internationally. The pair jumped a double clear at the European Young Rider Championships in Portugal in 2014, and finished third in the CCI3* at Haras du Pin in 2015.
Their most recent international run before Luhmühlen was at the German event Marbach in May, where they were 14th in the CIC3*.
Full report from Luhmühlen in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 21 June.
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A St Andrews’ graduate, Catherine joined Horse & Hound in 2002 and stayed for 11 years in a variety of roles until she went freelance in June 2013. She rejoined the team part-time in November 2016 as hunting editor. She pretty much lives on the hunting field or at the racecourse, but also loves eventing, as a journalist, press officer and competitor. She was H&H’s sole accredited journalist at the London Olympic Games and has reported from major race meetings and eventing, showjumping and dressage championships and shows round the world, and has hunted all over Britain and Ireland.
