Three horses died and a fourth was injured in a trailer accident on Highway 1 east of Revelstoke, BC, on Tuesday, October 6, while travelling to the Equestrian Canada National Dressage and Para Dressage Championships (West) at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley.

According to CBC News, BC Highway Patrol said the driver lost control of the vehicle towing the four-horse trailer and struck a rock wall approximately 40 kilometres east of Revelstoke. The driver, a 73-year-old woman from Langdon, Alberta, was taken to hospital in stable condition and issued a $109 ticket for failing to keep right. The surviving horse was immediately transported for veterinary treatment.

Among the horses lost were Fearless and Rosaria, owned by Solace Stables and trained by Headingley, Manitoba, dressage rider and trainer Mackenzie Abbott. They were scheduled to begin competing on October 9.

“My heart is completely shattered,” Abbott told CBC.

In an October 7 statement, Equestrian Canada and Thunderbird Show Park expressed their condolences to the riders, owners, families, and support teams affected. EC acknowledged the deep impact of the loss throughout Canada’s close-knit equestrian community and said it had contacted the athletes and owners to offer mental health support through its Game Plan partnership.

EC Chief of Staff James Hood told CBC that a fundraiser was being organized at the championships to support those affected. Anyone needing support can contact the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport or call 2-1-1 to find local services. Kids Help Phone is available at 1-800-668-6868, or by texting CONNECT to 686868. Read the original CBC News report and Equestrian Canada statement.

To support those affected by this tragedy, donations can be made through the Equestrian Canada Red & White Fundraiser. A separate GoFundMe campaign has also been established to support the Manitoba athletes.

— With files from CBC News and Equestrian Canada.

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