Wild Lone, a horse ridden by Great Britain’s Harry Meade, collapsed and died at the conclusion of his cross-country course today at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. A post mortem will be performed on the horse to establish a cause of death.
The 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Charlotte Opperman had just completed the tough four-star course with no jumping penalties and 26.4 time. The horse collapsed shortly after Meade dismounted.
“He felt totally normal and perfect until the moment I got off,” said Meade.
“He was a wonderful horse, and I’ve had him since he was a 4-year-old. I said when he was 6 that one day he’d be considered one of the best in the country, and I think he really was,” he continued. “He gave me a wonderful ride around Badminton, and today he felt like he was schooling all the way around.”
Wild Lone was third at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton CCI**** (Great Britain) this spring.
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“Professor Yves Rossier, the foreign veterinary delegate, reported that the horses were finishing the course in good condition,” stated an Fédération Équestre Internationale release.