Irish rider Eoin McMahon and QuestFinder fell at the water jump while competing at the Grand Prix of Munich CSI*** (Germany). McMahon, 20, was hospitalized, and QuestFinder was euthanized after the fall on May 8.

The 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Quintender—Cassandra, Landstreicher) fractured his leg and was euthanized due to his injury.

McMahon and Questfinder had been partnered since 2014, starting in CSI* classes and successfully jumping to the three-star level. McMahon rides for Carl Hanley Stables in Ireland, and they posted an update on their Facebook page on the day of the fall.

“We were just with Eoin in the hospital after his fall at the water jump in Munich GP today, he is shook up with heavy bruising, a broken finger and a concussion but the CT of his brain and spine were clear! He has to stay in hospital for 24 hours for monitoring and then should be back home tomorrow evening so he is very, very lucky to come out with only these injuries! As to our horse Questfinder, he broke his leg in the fall and had to be put to sleep on the spot, a sad day losing such a great, kind and wonderful horse that we enjoyed working with for almost [three] years!”

According to a report in the German magazine St. Georg, after the accident, riders in the grand prix asked that the rest of the class be canceled. With more than half the start list having jumped, organizers decided to pay out half the prize money and use the rest for next year’s show.  

Course designer Werner Deeg said during a press conference that the water jump was up to Fédération Equestre Internationale safety standards.