Kathryn Robinson’s 17-year-old Westphalian gelding Let It Bee collapsed and died between fences on the advanced cross-country course at Barefoot Estates Burnham Market International Horse Trials in Norfolk, England, on Friday afternoon, March 30th. Robinson was uninjured in the incident. No cause of death is available at this time.
Let It Bee was Robinson’s partner on the Canadian Eventing Team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, 2015 Pan Am Games, and numerous international three-day events in Europe during their long career together which began in 2009. They had recently been named to the 2018 Canadian Eventing High Performance National Squad and were aiming for a spot on the team for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC.
Burnham Market was the first outing in 2018 for Let It Bee, who was co-owned by Kathryn, John, and Gayle Robinson. The horse had also been entered for the Badminton CCI4* in May, which would have been his third appearance there. Career highlights for Kathryn and Let It Bee include a 7th-place finish at the CCI4* at Pau, FRA, in 2014, and a double-clear cross-country effort at their first Badminton in 2016. In 2017 they finished 12th in the CCI3* at Tattersalls, fifth at Millstreet CIC3*, and 12th in the Event Rider Masters CIC3* at Blenheim Palace. Robinson runs Cranford Stud Eventing with Giovanni Ugolotti in Naunton, Gloucestershire, GBR.
Musketeer Event Management released the following statement at the time of the accident:
“It is with great sadness that we announce that number 860, Let It Bee ridden and owned by Kathryn Robinson, died whilst competing in the Advanced class at approximately 5pm at Burnham Market International in Norfolk on 30th March 2018. Let It Bee, a 17-year-old gelding, collapsed between fences 13 and 14. No further details are available at present.”
This message was posted on the Cranford Stud Eventing Facebook page on Saturday:
“Absolutely devastated to say goodbye to this beautiful boy yesterday! He wasn’t just a horse, he was Kathryn’s baby, and best friend!!! He will be terribly missed by us all!! We are overwhelmed by the kindness of the eventing community in this tragic circumstances. RIP Bee.”
Horse Sport extends heartfelt condolences to Kathryn, her family and team on this devastating loss.
More from Horse Sport:
