by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 5, 2024
The sudden death of Chromatic BF after a competition at the FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last spring will never be forgotten by the horse’s owner/breeder, Kc Branscomb, who is determined to ensure nothing like that happens to another horse representing the U.S. in competition.
She took issue with a massive injection that the 13-year-old gelding received before he collapsed in his stall at the show, and felt she was not getting the whole story about what killed him. Chromatic, who had finished third in his class 90 minutes earlier, received 4 milliliters of Legend, 5 of Adequan, 20 of Traumeel, 20 of arnica and 20 of Selevit, a selenium/vitamin combination. After he was prone on the ground and thrashing, by the time dexamethasone was called for and administered, along with IV fluids the horse was barely moving. Branscomb stated there was no epinephrine asked for or administered.
Rider Jill Humphrey accepts her trophy on Chromatic BF after taking third place in a class at the FEI World Cup Finals.
A necropsy performed at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia did not satisfy Branscomb,nor did the U.S Equestrian Federation’s explanation based on that necropsy report.
The USEF issued a statement about the report June 10 and revised it on June 11, saying, “The cause of the death was severe diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, which could be attributed to multiple causes, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), cardiopulmonary failure, shock, and exercise-associated fatal pulmonary hemorrhage.
The report further indicates that the histopathologic findings raise the suspicion of fatal equine exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, despite Chromatic BF not exhibiting any overt signs of such condition. According to the final report, the administered medications were not identified as the cause of death.”
It was noted that Dr. Stephen Schumacher, USEF Chief Veterinary Officer, indicated the necropsy report is not conclusive as to the cause of the hemorrhage and edema.
This week, however, USEF Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Sonja Keating talked for more than an hour about what might have killed Chromatic with Dr. John E. Madigan, professor emeritus of the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of California Davis school of veterinary medicine and board certified in the specialty of animal welfare. Branscomb was referred to Madigan by her own veterinarian as she looked for answers.
In an interview, Madigan explained, “These kinds of issues are what animal welfare is about, so it’s important to offer commentary when it might help improve things.”
He noted the necropsy report listed several possible causes of death, including “shock; cardiovascular, which would include anaphylaxis, and…exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage because the lung has hemorrhage in it. And that would be the fatal form of exercise-induced hemorrhage.”
However, he added, “In sport horses, the incidences of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage fatality is 0.05 percent.
When the condition is exercise-induced, he said, the bleeding starts during exercise. The hallmarks of that include impaired performance, a cough, then some bloody discharge from the nose, he continued, adding “It starts this cascade.”
Madigan pointed out, “In some horses, it could take an hour to die but they’re struggling all along because it started during exercise.”
The idea that Chromatic took a gleeful victory lap during the awards ceremony after his class is “inconceivable and not compatible with fatal-induced thing, which occurred about four or five minutes after an IV injection.”
He mentioned the horse was not brought to the veterinarian who injected him because of a problem, but rather received “these compounds that were supposed to help him recover or whatever the notion is there for the use of those.
“Two of them had label warnings that it could produce anaphylaxis. It’s very clear the other possible causes mentioned in there (the necropsy report); shock, cardiovascular collapse etc., which can be associated with anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reaction is a much more likely cause.”
In the wake of Keating’s conversation with Madigan, USEF issued a statement Thursday about the situation, saying, “USEF is committed to learning from the tragic loss of Chromatic BF and the circumstances surrounding his death to ensure it doesn’t happen again. While the results of the necropsy report were not conclusive, we are still trying to learn as much as possible about the circumstances surrounding his death.
“We worked closely with KC Branscomb to review and revise the horse participation consent agreement. Additionally, we are thoroughly examining research and education initiatives to enhance the management of sport horse recovery.”
Details on the initiatives are yet to be determined, according to USEF.
Branscomb said, “I’m heartened that the USEF appears to be taking this more seriously now. I look forward to cooperating with them to find a positive resolution to this tragedy that will be of benefit to all sport horses in improving their welfare and safety.”
The draft of the new horse participation consent agreement says “no substances will be administered to the horse unless the USEF-appointed veterinarian first obtains written consent from the athlete,” unless it’s an emergency situation.
Branscomb had been looking for a public statement from USEF that said, upon further analysis of the cause of death and bringing in expert testimony to figure out what really went on in Riyadh, “they’ve come to the conclusion that the horse most probably did die of anaphylactic shock and it probably was related to the medications given three to four minutes before (his death). While the veterinarian acted independently, because they (USEF) had full custody of the horse and because they took that responsibility, they are responsible for supervising the vets. They bear some responsibility for the death of the horse and making sure it doesn’t happen again to another horse. They need to acknowledge some level of responsibility.”
She wants USEF to work with the American Association of Equine Practitioners or a similar organization to make sure the vets treating horses at competitions are licensed and “trained to protect our horses in the sport.”
Branscomb is asking USEF to put $1.5 million into the Chromatic BF Fund for Sport Horse Welfare.
“I want them to fund research on what top show jumping horses need to live happy, healthy lives. I want them to put some skin in the game that says that the horse that died in Riyadh didn’t die in vain. He’s going to help fund what will make sure that horses of his quality in his sport will be well taken care of…and do the sport they love without fear of having someone kill them.”
Madigan observed, “if you’re using drugs that have on the label that it can produce anaphylaxis, you better be prepared with epinephrine and corticosteroids, IV fluids etc. or don’t do it. Then you’d have to say, `is it worth the risk to help enhance the recovery?’ ”
As he sees it, “Sports medicine went from treating sports-related injuries and things like that to trying to optimize performance of the equine athlete. But that shouldn’t really include the use of medications that produce at-risk.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2024
Laura Kraut, Kent Farrington and McLain Ward, all of whom rode on the Tokyo Olympic team three years ago, have been selected for the squad that will go to the Paris Games later this month.
Laura, the only rider to go clear in the Nations Cup at Aachen last week, will be riding Baloutinue, her Tokyo mount. Kent was named with the 10-year-old prodigy Greya, winner of the La Baule Grand Prix, and McLain was chosen with Ilex, a newer mount for him. He is riding that horse in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen, where Laura is showing Baloutinue.
McLain characterizes ilex as “a very exciting horse and a big jumper.”
Kent Farrington and Greya.
The alternate is Karl Cook with Caracole de la Roque, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome in May. He was second in June at La Baule, France, where Kent scored his first international victory with the 10-year-old Greya over a course laid out by Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 6, 2024
There was some good news for U.S. dressage at the Aachen International Equestrian Festival Saturday.
It was comeback time for Steffen Peters in the 4-star Grand Prix Freestyle, where he and Suppenkasper finished third in the wake of a frustrating nineteenth-place effort in the Grand Prix on Thursday.
Mopsie, as Suppenkasper is known, was swinging to his familiar music, “We Can Dance” and living up to “Staying Alive,” as he and Steffen finished on 76.430 percent.
The class was won by U.S.-based Julio Mendoza Loor, who rides for Ecuador, on his Pan American Games individual gold medal mount, Jewel’s Goldstrike (78.920). His dream was only to ride at Aachen, but to win was more than he hoped for.
Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewels Goldstrike. (Hubert Fischer photo)
Steffen was another rider thrilled with how well his horse did, and joyfully praised Suppenkasper.
“A wonderful freestyle tonight,” enthused Steffen, a member of the U.S. Olympic team.
“Of course, a bit tricky after the difficult Grand Prix. Mopsie was still very excited this evening. In the beginning, the first centerline clearly showed some tension.”
But as the 16-year-old Olympic veteran who became the “rave horse’” after his freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics went viral, moved through the two-tempis and his first pirouette, “he settled down and did a wonderful, clean freestyle with a relaxed walk tour, very good piaffe/passage,” Steffen pointed out.
The rider complimented “a very good confident horse I will have the pleasure to ride in Paris.”
Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper in the freestyle. (U.S. Equestrian photo)
He thanked chef d’equipe Christine Traurig for her help, as well as his team of 20 years, from his wife, Shannon, to Mopsie’s owners Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang, as well as the horse’s groom and veterinarian.
Earlier in the day in the 5-star Grand Prix Special, Endel Ots came close to a personal best with Zen Elite’s Bohemian, finishing tenth (72.064 percent). He led the way as the U.S. squad was fourth by mere fractions of a point in the Lambertz Nations Cup team standings. Endel and Bo are the traveling reserve combination for the Olympic team.
Jane, the 10-year-old mare who has been a sensation during the U.S. riders’ European tour, has had no real experience in front of a big crowd and was not up to her usual standard in the Special. She looked tense in front of the fans in the Deutsche Bank Stadium. It was obvious she wasn’t operating on her usual wavelength right from her entry and halt, for which she got a mark of 6.2. Rider Marcus Orlob stayed cool and did a good job of getting through the test, but he finished sixteenth on 70.468 percent.
Click here for the dressage Nations Cup team standings.
The U.S. riders deserve a lot of credit for the team’s very respectable placing against more experienced riders from other countries.
Endel Ots and Bohemian in the Special. (U.S. Equestrian Photo)
“I was super happy with Bohemian today,” said Endel, who was sick but persevered. Aachen is unseasonably cold and a lot of people have picked up a bug.
This photo of Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth Old says it all about Saturday’s Aachen weather.Endel, who had never competed at Big Tour internationally until he got the ride on Bohemian, noted it was windy with “a little bit of weather, but the atmosphere was great. It was really fun to ride at Aachen and finish in top 10 in the Grand Prix Special. My goal was just do a nice harmonious Grand Prix Special test.”
He only began riding the horse this year, and keeps polishing his partnership with the gelding, who was fourth in the Tokyo Olympics with Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour of Denmark in the saddle.
“Each time I take him and ride him in the ring and show him, I get a better idea of what he needs from me to help him. I was really happy with him. He stayed with me, he was really calm in that show environment,” Endel pointed out.
“It was just more so me piloting him around, helping him with the balance here and there. He knows the test so well like the back of his hand (hoof?). It was really fun. I’m really looking forward to the freestyle.”
That will be happening Sunday as the show ends its run at the Soers. It likely will be another chance for Germany’s Isabell Werth to shine on Wendy de Fontaine, the mare on which she won the Special with a resounding 78.085 percent to lead her nation’s squad to the team title.
Isabell Werth collects another trophy with Wendy de Fontaine. (Franziska Sack for CHIO Aachen)
Isabell noted of Wendy, who is a new ride for her this year, “She always wants to give her best. It felt very harmonious today and I have the impression we are gradually becoming one unit.”
Click here for the Grand Prix Special results.
In other good news for the USA, Chester Weber — the lone American in the four-in-hand driving competition — is standing third. He was twelfth in the marathon, won by who else but world number one Boyd Exell. Chester’s victory in the dressage last week boosted his standing as he set his sights on the podium.
Chester Weber in the marathon.
Click here for marathon results
Click this link for individual standings
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 4, 2024
The only U.S. entry in the Aachen four-in-hand driving, Chester Weber showed style and grace in winning the dressage phase with a score of 35.59 penalties over Australia’s Boyd Exell, the world number one, marked at 38.79.
Chester, the world number 11, said modestly, “There were no obvious mistakes.”
Chester Weber during his winning four-in-hand dressage test. (U.S. Equstrian Photo)
Even with top horses and fantastic facilities for preparation at Aachen, “you still have to get it done,” he pointed out.
One of Chester’s wheelers is Nico Teusje C, who has a story behind him.
“He was a Covid purchase,” said Chester, who explained that during the pandemic, he was going through Facebook saw Nico and another horse on line.
“They were quite young,” he mentioned, but he bought them over the phone anyway. One of them didn’t work out for the four-in-hand, but Nico certainly did.
“This one keeps stepping up and stepping up. This one kept impressing me,” he said of the wheeler.
“We’re always tweaking the plan and trying to listen to what the horses tell us.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 3, 2024
Boyd Martin remains the top American on the FEI’s eventing ranking list, but he has dropped from second to sixth. Meanwhile, Caroline Martin Pamukcu, who will be his teammate at the Olympics this month, made a big jump up from twenty first to eleventh. Liz Halliday Sharp, U.S. Olympic reserve rider, went from nineteenth to fourteenth.
The biggest change was at the top, with Great Britain’s Oliver Townend dropping from first to second after nine months as his compatriot, European Champion Ros Canter, hit number one. Ros is on the team for the Olympics; Oliver is not.
“I was quite shocked to hear I’m world number one.” said Ros, “as it was something that wasn’t on my radar. It’s really exciting news, and I’m thrilled for my whole team because this is a joint effort. I’ve been really lucky to have some fantastic horses in my team.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jun 27, 2024
One of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s first employees has become its executive director, as Whitney Allen succeeds Kevin Price in the role.
Whitney, formerly USHJA’s director of operations, started her work in governance with the American Horse Shows Association, the predecessor of the U.S. Equestrian Federation. She earned a master’s degree in sports science with a business minor at the University of Kentucky, and has also served as marketing director and managing director of sponsorship for USHJA before taking over the operations position.
Britt McCormick, who became USHJA president in April, said, “We are delighted that Whitney Allen is stepping into the role of executive director. She is a multi-talented, visionary leader with a complete set of creative, strategic and analytical skills to guide our organization in a highly competitive and evolving environment.”
He added, “She has proven operational and leadership experience, a tremendous passion for success and a deep network of relationships within our industry. She also fully embraces the principles of excellence, dedication and service on which the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association was founded. We are confident she will build upon the organization’s legacy and lead us toward a successful future.”
Britt added that the board and USHJA appreciated Kevin Price’s “steady leadership. With many key achievements under Price’s tenure, the United States Hunter Jumper Association is ready for new leadership to build on our past successes and realize our full potential for the future.”
For her part, Whitney said, “I am honored to step into the role of executive director.
“I have great respect and appreciation for what our team has accomplished, and I look forward to leveraging our strong foundation to expand our reach and impact. I have the clear goal of moving the organization forward by working with the board to identify and pursue growth opportunities, collaborating with and inspiring our team, and delivering improved performance for our stakeholders. I cannot wait to get started and take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead.”
Under Whitney’s leadership as director of operations, the organization significantly improved its operational efficiency and strategic direction, driving growth and enhancing performance. Allen spearheaded key initiatives, including the development of innovative marketing strategies and successful sponsorship programs.
In her volunteer roles, Whitney has been a long-time board member of American Horse Publications, where she served as president for five years and is now treasurer. She is also president of the Secretariat Center’s board.
