Dutton and Connaught Win Kentucky Rolex
Frodo Baggins and The Quiet Man Suffer Fatal Falls: Safety Talks Set
The Kentucky Horse Park's Rolex Three-Day Event held April 24-27 was marred with two equine deaths as Phillip Dutton and Connaught took their first Rolex overall win. World champion Dutton, West Grove, Pennsylvania, got his first Kentucky Three-Day Event victory with 15-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding Connaught.
Dutton Bests Holder
Connaught turned in the most impressive round of the day in the show jumping to help Dutton clinch the Rolex at the Kentucky Horse Park, home to many past Thoroughbreds of racing and competitive fame. Connaught, owned by Bruce Duchossios, went perfectly through the last phase of the event to post a showing of 41.7 overall that bested USA finalist Becky Holder on Courageous Comet. That pair scored 47.3 for the event.
Courageous Comet tipped two rails off in the show jumping phase, but was otherwise cruising solidly for first place throughout the competition.
Ashker and Hansel Injured
Two separate accidents in the event's cross-country phase led to the euthanizations of Frodo Baggins, ridden by Laine Ashker, and The Quiet Man, saddled by Sarah Hansel. The two riders suffered injuries that required one of them to be hospitalized for nearly a month.
Ashker was rescued with collapsed lungs, a broken jaw, broken ribs, and a broken clavicle. After testing negative for brain and spinal cord problems, she subsequently left the hospital almost three weeks after the April competition. Ashker was released from the hospital with expectations for a full recovery.
Hansel's injuries were minor. She was not hospitalized.
Frodo Baggins and The Quiet Man Euthanized
Injuries to Frodo Bagins were immediately determined to be more than the horse could survive. The decision to euthanize Frodo Baggins was quickly reached, according to a report in the July, 2008 issue of Horse Illustrated, "Rolex Wrap-Up" .
The Quiet Man was transported off the course when he sustained a serious shoulder injury. After follow up examinations the next day, the horse's condition was deemed detrimental to chances for a good recovery. He was euthanized that morning.
Equestrian and Eventing Boards Agree on June Summit
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Eventing Association (USEA) released a letter calling for a Safety Summit to be convened in Lexington, Kentucky, June 7-8 as a result of the accidents in the Rolex competition.
USEF president David O'Connor and USEA president Kevin Baumgardner issued the letter stating concern over the increasing number of accidents occurring in Thoroughbred events. "...we will be redoubling our efforts to identify additional steps we can take to make sure that riders and horses can compete as safely as possible,' they combined to say.
