Saturday Story and Sunday AM Updates
Saturday Story and Sunday AM Updates
Apr 27th, 08
Sunday Morning Updates (Final Horse Inspection) Northern Spy & Heidi White did not present. Hugh Knows & Karen O'Connor were held and later Withdrew. Acapulco Jazz & Bonner Carpenter and Paleface & Waylon Roberts were not passed by the Ground Jury. Media Center Sunday AM Update with Dr. William Brooks Dr. William Brooks, Chief Medical Officer, informed the media that Laine Ashker is at the University of Kentucky Hospital in the Level 1 Trauma Unit in ICU in "critical, but stable condition". Laine's injuries are to her face and chest. Media Center Sunday AM Update with Dr. Catherine W. Kohn, V.M.D. Dr. Catherine W. Kohn, V.M.D, Veterinary Delegate, explained that due to the extent of injuries incurred in his fall, The Quiet Man was sadly humanely euthanized this morning. The Quiet Man's loss will be felt by all. Equestrian Events, Inc. wishes to extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to the owners of both The Quiet Man and Frodo Baggins. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families and with rider Laine Ashker. A Day of Highs and Lows Culminates with Becky Holder and Courageous Comet Still in the Lead at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Farnam (Press Releases Follow Story) Becky Holder and Courageous Comet have held the lead for three days with a score of 39.3 at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day presented by Farnam. A crowd of over 50,000 were on hand to observe the 41 horse and rider combinations who gave it their all on the cross-country course. With a time allowed of 11 minutes, 33 completed the task at hand - 12 having double-clear rounds. Seven were eliminated or retired on course, and one withdrew before cross-country. Run-outs, stops and falls cost riders precious points, shifting the leader board in every direction. Phillip Dutton and Stephen Bradley each moved up a spot to second and third, respectively, after cross-country. Both currently have two horses in the top 10. Because of a fall on course, Holder was held for more than 10 minutes just a few jumps into the course. Once underway Holder realized she had reset her stopwatch to zero and was flying blind."I got my opportunity to focus on one jump at a time and do the best I could with my galloping and position to be the fastest and let the time fall where it may," said Holder. She commented that the hold on course was not a negative for Comet. "He loves people looking at him so he just wandered around and looked with his ears up," joked Holder. Despite Today’s hiccup, Comet and Holder feel ready for tomorrow’s challenge. "I’ve been working very hard on my show jumping pretty much my entire career," commented Holder. "I feel like I’m bringing more tools to the game and I’m really excited to be able to go out and put them to work and see how he holds up." Giving her a run for her money will be second place Dutton on Connaught with a score of 41.7 and Bradley on From with a 47.8 going in to show jumping. Last to go in today’s order, Dutton and Bradley were at a disadvantage when they were held up forover an hour due to a horse and rider fall on course. Laine Ashker, who had ridden her first horse earlier in the day, had a fall at fence five, the Flower Basket, with Frodo Baggins which caused a delay for the remaining three riders. "It was just Boyd and Stephen and I up there, and we just joked around for about a half an hour, and then they said ‘you’ve got 15 minutes till go’, so then we started getting serious again," said Dutton. "It’s not ideal, but like Stephen said it’s part of the sport. I was obviously concerned about the horse and about Laine, but the day goes on and so you’ve got to make sure that you get your focus back and prepare your horse according to when you’re gonna go." Dutton and Connaught finished today on a clear jump round with only .4 time penalties, leaving a difference of less than one rail between first and second place entering the final phase. "I couldn’t have been more proud of Connaught and the way that he jumped," beamed Dutton. "I sometimes wish he didn’t jump quite so big over the jumps; it just makes him a little bit more tired, but he just tries so hard that little horse." Bradley had some sticky moments at the Head of the Lake and the Duck Pond when From looked a bit too worn out to make it over the second duck and then trotted to the final duck jump. "He was getting a little bit tired and a little behind my leg," said Bradley. "He jumped great; he put out 110% and even though he did seem tired toward the end he kept putting out 110%." Even with a tired horse, Bradley ended the day in third place with only 5.2 time faults. "That’s why I keep telling people that as I get older I only ride horses who are really good jumpers." Final Horse Inspection begins at 8:30 Sunday morning. Heather Johnston and Jeannie Blancq Putney Georgetown College Equine Scholars Program Georgetown, KY Saturday, April 26, 2008 Press Statement #1 Competitor number 55, Laine Ashker and her horse Frodo Baggins, fell at fence 5 at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Laine sustained injuries but was concious, talking and able to move all extremities. She was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital. She is currently under the care of the Emergency and Trauma Services staff. Frodo Baggins also sustained injuries and was stabilized and transported to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. We look forward to an update on the progress of both horse and rider. Martin Plewa President of the Ground Jury Saturday, April 26, 2008 Press Statement #2 Frodo Baggins and Laine Ashker fell at fence 5. Ashker sustained injuries but was conscious, talking and able to move all extremities when she was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital. She is currently under the care of the emergency and trauma services staff. Frodo Baggins was immediately attended by a team of veterinarians. He was given intravenous fluids and supportive medications for shock and pain. After he was stabilized, he was sedated and transported by horse ambulance to nearby Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, where he was immediately attended by emergency personnel. Further tests showed that Frodo Baggins had sustained a fracture at the base of his skull, as well as severe lung injury. As the prognosis was very poor, a representative of the family concurred that euthanasia was the most humane option for the horse. A complete necropsy examination will be performed. Everyone at the event is saddened by the loss of this brave horse. Equestrian Events, Inc.