Sad news from The Fork, USA

      Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville at Burghley 2012

 

One of our favourites in the sport, Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville have taken the CIC3* at The Fork Horse Trials in North Carolina. Phillip Dutton led the way in the dressage on Boyd Martin’s Shamwari, a catch ride for Phillip due to Boyd’s recent injury

However Sinead added nothing to her dressage score of 49.80 to take the win just ahead of the in-form Marilyn Little and RF Demeter on the same score and Jennie Brannigan riding Cambalda on a score of 48.90

Sadly the weekend was marred by the death of two horses at this same event – Will Coleman’s Conair and Andrew McConnon’s Powderhound. The press statements read;

Press Statement from The Fork Horse Trials
Sun. April 6, 2014

It is with great sadness that we announce that Conair, ridden by Will Coleman and owned by the Conair Syndicate, collapsed and died at The Fork event in Norwood, NC, USA at approximately 9:45 a.m. on the date above.

Earlier Will and Conair had a fall on the Advanced cross country course and Conair proceeded to run back towards the barns. He was stopped and then transported to the barn for veterinary evaluation.
After the preliminary veterinary exam was completed, Conair collapsed and died. Cause of death has not yet been determined.

The entire organizing committee and officials extends its heartfelt condolences to Will Coleman and the Conair Syndicate at this difficult time.

 

Press Statement from The Fork Horse Trials
Sat. April 5, 2014

It is with great sadness that we announce that Powderhound, owned and ridden by Andrew McConnon, collapsed and died while returning to the stables after completing the CIC2* jumping phase while competing at The Fork event in Norwood, NC, USA at approximately
1:45 p.m. on the date above. The entire organizing committee and officials extend its heartfelt condolences to Andrew McConnon at this difficult time.

We send our own condolences to both riders and their connections in what must be one of the most trying times of any rider’s life