Ms. Poppins put down after sustaining injury at Bramham

Alexandra Knowles and Ms Poppins at Bramham Horse Trials 2022.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Ms. Poppins, the ride of Alexandra Knowles from the USA, has been put down after sustaining an injury on the Bramham Horse Trials cross-country course.

The event issued a statement which said:

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Ms. Poppins ridden by Alexandra Knowles (USA) and owned by Katherine O’Brien has been put down while competing in the CCI4*-L section at Bramham International Horse Trials. The horse retired on course between fences and was transported back to the stables by horse ambulance to be assessed by the veterinary team and, as a result of irreparable injuries, the decision was taken. Our thoughts are with the horse’s connections.”

“I am heartbroken to report, after sustaining a traumatic injury on the gallop near the end of what had been an amazing course at Bramham International, my wonderful horse Ms. Poppins has been euthanized. After several opinions from top vets and surgeons, our team decided the most humane decision for her was to let her go. Everyone at AK Eventing loved this little mare, and she will be missed dearly by me, grooms, and her owners, Jim and Katie O’Brien.”

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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.

Horse put down after sustaining injury on cross-country at Bramham Horse Trials

Ms. Poppins, an 11-year-old mare, was produced by Alexandra through the grades and their competition highlights included finishing seventh at Jersey Fresh CCI4-L in the US in May 2021 and fourth at both Chattahoochee Hills and Plantation Field’s CCI4-S classes, also in the US in 2021.

Keep up-to-date with all the action from Bramham via horseandhound.co.uk and read the full magazine report in the 16 June issue of Horse & Hound

You might also be interested in:

Birthday girl Izzy Taylor sets the standard in Bramham CCI4*-L cross-country: ‘He dug deep and helped me’

Ros Canter takes second after Bramham CCI4*-L cross-country, as Zara Tindall and Izzy Taylor’s second ride fault

Alexandra posted a statement on her social media channels:

Ms. Poppins, an 11-year-old mare, was produced by Alexandra through the grades and their competition highlights included finishing seventh at Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L in the US in May 2021 and fourth at both Chattahoochee Hills and Plantation Field’s CCI4*-S classes, also in the US in 2021.

Keep up-to-date with all the action from Bramham via horseandhound.co.uk and read the full magazine report in the 16 June issue of Horse & Hound

You might also be interested in:

Birthday girl Izzy Taylor sets the standard in Bramham CCI4*-L cross-country: ‘He dug deep and helped me’

Ros Canter takes second after Bramham CCI4*-L cross-country, as Zara Tindall and Izzy Taylor’s second ride fault

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Ms. Poppins, an 11-year-old mare, was produced by Alexandra through the grades and their competition highlights included finishing seventh at Jersey Fresh CCI4-L in the US in May 2021 and fourth at both Chattahoochee Hills and Plantation Field’s CCI4-S classes, also in the US in 2021.