Hannah Serfass dies in riding accident after horse Quaxx 2 falls on her
A teenage equestrian from Florida perished in a driving accident after her horse tripped and fell on her.
Hannah Serfass, 15, was midway by way of a hunter/jumper present driving competitors Sunday in Venice, Florida, atop a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Quaxx 2.
She and the horse had simply accomplished the fifth soar. Quaxx 2 took a few steps towards the subsequent hurdle, then planted its left hoof, inflicting it to lean ahead, journey and fall.
Hannah toppled ahead off the equine, and Quaxx 2 continued to fall, touchdown straight on her head, in keeping with sheriff’s workplace studies cited by Sarasota’s Herald-Tribune newspaper.
Whereas Quaxx 2 was unhurt, Hannah was extricated from beneath the horse and brought to a hospital, the place she was pronounced lifeless.
Hannah was a rising star among the many horse riders. In March, she advised World Equestrian Heart Journal that horses “kinda pulled me in. I simply bought into it and by no means wished to cease. And now I simply need to be taught every little thing I can about it. I need to preserve going with it.”
The U.S. Equestrian Federation, the Fox Lea Farm the place the competitors was held and the U.S. Hunter/Jumper Affiliation provided their condolences to the Serfass household.
“The federation takes each accident very significantly and will probably be reviewing the accident totally to be taught what we are able to do to reduce danger and improve security in equestrian sport,” the USEF mentioned in an announcement.
The driving group was fast to rally round Serfass’ family members, beginning #rideforhannah on Twitter and with some declaring they might journey carrying azure blue, Hannah’s favourite colour.
A colleague of mine within the Equestrian world sadly misplaced her life from a freak accident Sunday competing for a title… bringing consciousness to the wonder and hazard of my sport . Relaxation straightforward Hannah #rideforhannah pic.twitter.com/EE9d7cbfAp</ a>
— Gabrielle Taylor (@GabrielleT_15) May 2, 2023
In an announcement to The Chronicle of the Horse, a weekly equestrian journal, Hannah’s dad and mom, Janine and David Serfass thanked well-wishers.
“Our daughter died doing the factor she completely beloved essentially the most on this world. If from this tragedy one particular person will be saved and discover God, then her loss of life is not going to be in useless. … We cherish seeing the #rideforhannah marketing campaign and those that have chosen to decorate in her favourite colour, azure blue. We thanks once more from the underside of our hearts,” the pair mentioned.
