There was a sad end to proceedings at Haras Du Pin today, when British team horse Wild Lone died shortly after completing the cross-country.
Collapse
The ride of Harry Meade had just jumped clear round the cross-country to go into 25th place, with 26.4 time penalties.
Harry had crossed the finish line and dismounted, and shortly afterwards the horse collapsed and died at approximately 16.15pm local time.
As per FEI Veterinary Regulations, a post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death.
Conditions
After a week of rainfall, the ground was soft and conditions were testing – but Harry was clear in his belief that the going did not play a part on the death of his horse.
“In view of the ground conditions and terrain, that played no part in what happened to Wild Lone. He’s done six four-star events and he was fit as he could be. He felt extremely comfortable the whole way round and I’d felt I could have asked for more.”
Harry had ridden the 13-year-old since he was a four-year-old, and together they finished third at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials – staging a remarkable come-back after Harry broke both elbows in a riding fall in August 2013.
“I told my father when Wild Lone was a six-year-old that he would be the best cross-country horse there ever was and I think he probably was,” added Harry.
“My sympathies are with the owners of the horse, Peter and Charlotte Opperman, who have been great supporters of me over the years and also the sport of eventing. My thoughts are with my groom Jess Errington who has devoted her life to looking after Wild Lone – he was the most important thing in her life.”
Competition
It was a sad end to what had been a promising day for the Brits, who had had all four of their team riders complete. The Brits go into the showjumping in silver medal position.
“The horse had jumped a wonderful clear round ridden by a wonderful athlete,” said Team GB’s Chef de Mission Will Connell. “Harry is very much part of the team and our aim is to stand on that podium tomorrow so that Harry can receive a medal along with his fellow athletes.
“It’s a very sad incident that happens and everything was done by the organising committee to ensure the welfare of the horse was looked after,” Connell added.