Injured Event Horse Le Samurai Is Dead
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY--Amy Tryon's Rolex (Kentucky) Three-Day Event mount Le Samurai has been humanely euthanized at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. The horse stumbled or was somehow injured at the final fence on cross-country at Rolex last Saturday. The FEI Tribunal is investigating Tryon's handling of the situation to see if abuse occurred.
On her web site today, Amy Tryon wrote, "I am heartbroken at the passing of Le Samurai. Sparky was a wonderful horse and a gallant partner who meant the world to me. His loss has left me indescribably sad. I want to join the Broussards in thanking the veterinarians who tried so hard to save him."
The horse did cross the finish line, where he was immediately seen by the veterinary team and transferred to the nearby veterinary hospital. Descriptions of his injuries suggest major damage to the gelding's suspensory ligament and or network of ligaments in the lower leg. No statement has been made on the exact diagnosis. One report in a newspaper said that an "elevator shoe" had been applied to his foot; this would probably be some sort of a patten bar shoe.
Statement from the Broussard Family, Owners of Le Samurai
"It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Le Samurai has been humanely euthanized. From the outset we have been determined to give this magnificent horse the best veterinary treatment available, but only so long as the continuation of that treatment remained consistent with Sparky's best interests. Regrettably, the veterinarians treating him have advised us that a successful outcome is not possible.
"Sparky will be greatly missed by our family, Amy Tryon and everyone who knew and loved him. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to Dr. (Robert) Hunt and the veterinary staff at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for their tireless dedication to Sparky's well-being. We also wish to thank the eventing community around the country for all the kindness and good wishes that have been extended to us and to Sparky.
--Jerome and Rebecca Broussard
An edited telecast of highlights from the event will be on NBC Sports at 5 pm (eastern time) on Sunday, May 6.
Broussard statement courtesy of USEF. Photo by Michelle C. Dunn courtesy of Rolex.
Broussard statement courtesy of USEF. Photo by Michelle C. Dunn courtesy of Rolex.
Labels: Amy Tryon, Le Samurai Hagyard, Rolex Three-Day Event
posted by Fran Jurga @ Friday, May 04, 2007
15 comments
15 Comments:
Sad about the horse. And Idon't know what an elevator shoe is but it sounds like it was the wrong kind of shoe. HUGS* I would die if my horse died.it seems strang that a wrong kind of shoe would be put on and they didn't see it.
His injury did not seem enough that he needed to be killed. I do not understand the owners vague and very brief statement.
An elevator shoe lifts the horse's heel to relieve tension on the ligaments and tendons that run along the back of the horses leg. It was applied after he got to the hospital to treat his condition. I am not certain on the perticularities of his injury, but it sounds like he blew (as in ruptured or severely strained) all the ligaments and tendons in his left front leg. Without those supporting structures, he could probably not bear weight on that leg. Ligaments and tendons take a very long time (longer then bone usually) as they have a lot less vascualture (blood supply). If he ruptured or tore them all at the same time then he was literaly left with nothing to support the bony column of his front leg and thus he was humanely euthanized.
i got to watch the show live onthe computer and it was clearly the rider fault! the horse lamed before the last jump but she drove to jump and most likly injured it's leg beyong repair ie having to be put down. she should have to pay fines or be remove from the sport. as a horse owner, i would be beyond mad if a rider distroyed my horse for there pride of finishing. it is clear that the rider had no concern for the horse, she just jumped off and walked away. very upset about the loss of a good horse.
I was there at the finish, and she didn't just walk away- she rode on the trailer with the horse. Also, I'm not sure she could have pulled out in time before the jump without crashing. Horses making it to this level of competition are not forced to jump- they do it because they want to. If the horse didn't want to jump, believe me, it wouldn't have! (The horse is as equally to blame as the rider in this case) Eventing is a dangerous sport, and while I do not think it is good physically for the horse, it is what some horses live for mentally as do their riders.
"Horses making it to this level...are not forced to jump-they do it because they want to." WHAT AN IDIOTIC STATMENT! ....because they want to...what?! The answer is...please their rider. If they did what they wanted of their own volition then they'd undoubtedly buck us off every time we got on them, and continue to graze. It's a testament to their obedience that they do what they do for us. Look at Le Samurai's delightful dressage test the day prior! That's what this type of competition is supposed to test! Their obedience! He obeyed her, plain and simple, and she should not only be barred from the sport, she should also be forbidden to ever get on another horse again. She's the one in charge - the master - and she made a selfish and proud decision to jump that last fence. THE DECISION WAS NOT HIS. At this level of competition a rider is supposed to have much better discernment.
Whoever posted the comment on May 10 at 7:32 has ovbiously never ridden an event horse in any kind of competition. To suggest that someone of Tryon's experience was willfuly insensitive to her horse's condition requires that the person making the accusation have some fundamental understanding of the experience of riding cross country. The May 10 person clearly does not have that experience. They don't know what a trip feels like at speed, they don't know what an interference feels like at speed, they don't know what it feels like to be on top of the horse at speed. Most of us who are serious about our horses frequently request someone on the ground to watch our horses go if we feel something strange - often our fears are unfounded. But, on top of the horse, you can not always know what is going on below. Also, any of us who have attended Rolex- or any event for that matter- know that the reason obedience is one of the rated measurements is because these great equine athletes are often not very obedient at all. Indeed, Le Samurai had a reputation for not being very obedient. In short, the FEI shall do their job and I don't think any of us should be throwing stones at Amy Tryon.
we shell see what the investagation has to say, either way, it is a sad loss of a good horse.
Amy has been riding too long not to be able to feel a lame step (especially during the trot preceeding the last fence), and stop before making the injury worse. This appears to be another case of wanting to finish at the horse's expense.
I agree with the person who noted that horses at this level are sooo disciplined that they will obey and submit to a rider request rather than risk the rider's displeasure or anger.
Regarding the individual who placed a comment on on May 10 at 7:32 - I think we do a disservice to our animals when we attempt to appoint human emotions and reasoning to animals. Certainly, horses have emotions, but they do not have depth of humans' or the ability to rationalize a consequence based on their actions in the way we do. To "please" is a human attribute. They are typically governed by one of two insticts: fight or flight. They are surprisingly obedient, but a horse pushed beyond his ability will end his obedience to his "master," so I'm afraid that argument is somewhat unfounded. Additionally, the horse is essentially a born athlete and it would be understandable that he would love to run, jump, etc. Sparky would not be the first horse to try and keep going after he has injured himself. We all have a deep love for the animal and for the sport, which is why we're in this to begin with. I genuinely hope that Tryon did not willfully or negligently damage the animal. I also hope our governing body, the FEI, does a proper and thorough investigation of the matter to discover the truth.
I just hope that not too much time and money is spent on the "investigation". It is a sad situation, and I'm sure Amy has suffered enough. She owned that horse along with the Broussard's and I think she has suffered enough.
I agree. I have heard of other situations happening like this in eventing and other equine sports, and I haven't seen people being "crucified" like Amy seems to be. I hope all goes well for Amy, and God Bless Le Samurai.
Well, I have ridden event horses to my shame. I did not see what happened here but can say we are all to blame. The May 10 poster is absolutely correct when he/she says that horses, free to do as they choose, would certainly not be out & about doing an event course, or racing, or pulling wagons, carrying riders, polo, etc. So, please stop with that nonsense right now. Those of you who persist with the idea that horses like doing this for us, need to give your heads a good shake imho. Those of us who throw stones...same thing. We aren't out there protesting this cruel & unusual punishment we allow the world to inflict on these wonderful animals...no, no...we encourage it!
Then, when something awful happens, which occurs even more often than the FEI will ever admit, we blame the rider/owner....anyone other than ourselves as whole. These animals have no say in anything that happens to them...why are we only the species allowed a say in how we live our lives?! Perhaps Sparkie could best be commemorated by a world-wide ban on Eventing, etc!
It is most unfortunate about the horse. But as with any sport, accidents can and do happen. The Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event is ALWAYS year in, year out one of the most impressive horse shows in the country. One of the reasons it is so phenomenal is because of pushing the limits of horse and rider. I'm really looking forward to the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games that is coming for the FIRST TIME to the United States. I can't wait to see how riders from across the world show their skills. I've been trying to promote as much interest as I can in the upcoming events at the Kentucky Horse Park & Kentucky at: www.KYHorseBlog.com www.KYHorseChat.com www.KYHorseProperties.com The Kentucky Horse Park, Rolex 3 Day Event, and now the FEI World Equestrian Games really will show the world that its KENTUCKY leading the way for horses and equestrian sports!
I do not get why Le Samurai had to be put down. Back in April my Warmblood mare suffered tendon damage to both front legs. I am just starting to ride her now for only max. 20 minutes, and only light work. It was a long haul, she had to be pouliced and wrapped for months, hand walked three times a day, new shoes. She suffered the damage due to jumping a 4'foot jump during a lesson, and she had all the corerct boots on. Now we are probably not going to go to big shows anymore, but that doesnt matter because she is still with me. If they would of given Le Samurai a chance and time then maybe they wouldnt had to make the decision they made. Who care if he isnt going to be a top horse again, what matter is that he could of still been here.
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