UPDATE: Costa Rican rider Claudia Romero Chacon, who was injured in an accident 13.6 kilometres into the first loop of the Endurance course at Sartilly (FRA) this morning, has undergone surgery for fractures and internal injuries. She is in a serious but stable condition. Sadly her horse was killed instantly in the incident.
There were two unrelated incidents in which two riders sustained minor injuries :
– Isha Judd (URU) suffered a fractured right femur in a fall.
– Alberto Morales Morales (CRC) was taken to hospital for observation after complaining of neck pain having completed the first loop.
ORIGINAL POST:
At approximately 8: 30 a.m. today (Aug. 28th), a Costa Rican horse died during the first loop of the endurance competition at the 2014 FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games™ in Sartilly, France. Dorado, a 12-year-old gelding ridden by 37-year-old Claudia Romero Chacon, reportedly fell after colliding with a tree about 400m before the first check point. The rider was taken to hospital with a suspected back injury; she was later diagnosed with compressed disc and released. Conditions were initially wet and muddy at the start of the race, but improved during the day.
The FEI has conducted an immediate investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident and the investigation shows that the horse struck a tree at the side of the track in a forested area. The horse sustained a head injury and died instantly. There are no signs that the horse slipped prior to the impact.
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