World eventing champion Zara Phillips’ horse had to be destroyed after a cross-country fall at the final event of the year in Pau, France, yesterday.
Phillips suffered a broken collarbone, but she did not go to hospital. Having been treated on site by the event’s medical team, she was later walking around, in some discomfort, with her arm in a sling.
The accident happened halfway around the course at fence 15, a hedge and one of the most innocuous-looking fences, where no other rider had problems.
Phillips’ horse, Tsunami II, stumbled on landing and somersaulted, throwing the rider clear. A veterinary examination showed that the 11-year-old chestnut mare had broken a neck vertebra.
“She was a very special horse and I had high hopes for her,” said Phillips. “Losing a horse like this is awful. I feel so sorry for Mel because she bred him.”
- Rmans: Well, I do agree with being very careful with the media. I do understand...
- Lisa: Well they managed to make themselves millionaires before Kate ever met...
- Rmans: Sometimes promting your business involves talking to the media about it. I...
- Lisa: Well it’s good to know that Kate is keeping her eye on what her...
- Rmans: Well, I think Pippa just went over things with her sister who also work at...
- Rmans: Although I can understand that the royal relationship can probably be a big...
- lola: “Most likely Pippa would have just talked about Party Times Online...
- Phoebe: I agree that Pippa probably believed that the ES was truly interested in...
- Rmans: Most likely Pippa would have just talked about Party Times Online magazine...
- Phoebe: Pippa should have had better judgment.
Good morning,
I hope that she is definitely going to recover from it, and wishes him a rétablisement check of France and all my condolences for his horse
Oh dear. I am glad Ms. Phillips will be okay. I am so sorry she lost her horse too. I am sure this is a very emotionally upsetting event for such a wonderful person.
So many falls already, she should retire, other than the poor horse who doesn’t have a choice to jump those hurdles.
Me
I think she should retire but only because the falls she has been having have become worse and worse. Show jumping is not going to stop if Zara retires. It will still go on but her saftey as well as all of the other riders safety is important. Two of her friends have died in the last year alone. It’s not really a sport that I like but you can’t please eveybody all of the time.
Miss Phillips has my sympathy but it is a truly appalling ‘sport”.
It is much too dangerous for the poor horses and many are maimed and killed each year.