Teen equestrian dies after horse falls on top of her during competition
A teenage lady, described as “a really proficient up-and-coming younger rider,” died throughout an equestrian competitors in Florida final weekend when the horse she was driving fell on prime of her.
On Saturday, 15-year-old Hannah Serfass was collaborating in a leaping competitors at Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Florida, alongside the western coast of the state between Tampa and Fort Myers. Hannah and her horse — a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding named Quaxx 2 — have been about midway by the course when Quaxx 2 all of a sudden stumbled a number of steps after touchdown the sixth jump. Quaxx 2 then suffered “a rotational fall,” inflicting Hannah to topple ahead onto the bottom.
Sadly, after Hannah landed, Quaxx 2 fell on prime of her head whereas spectators watched in horror. An EMT close to the course rapidly rendered Hannah support, and she or he was quickly afterward transported to Sarasota Memorial, however the fast response was not sufficient to avoid wasting her. She was pronounced lifeless shortly after arriving on the hospital.
Quaxx 2’s fall was “unrelated to a leaping effort,” and the horse was not injured within the incident, a statement from the U.S. Equestrian Federation confirmed.
“The USEF, USHJA, and Fox Lea Farm workforce want to lengthen our deepest condolences to Hannah’s household, assist workforce, and mates,” the assertion continued.
Fox Lea Farm issued its personal temporary assertion on Facebook: “Fox Lea Farm had a tragedy happen at present. Out of respect to the household, no info shall be shared right now. We ship our honest condolences to the household, coach, mates, & the entire equestrian group. We’re all heartbroken.”
At simply 15, Hannah was already an achieved rider. In 2021, she won the Hamel Nationwide Horse Present 3’3 Medal on the Florida State Fairgrounds. World Equestrian Heart journal additionally not too long ago did a characteristic story on her, claiming she was on a “meteoric rise” within the sport.
Along with horse driving, Hannah ran observe for Wildwood Center Excessive College in Wildwood, Florida, about two and a half hours northeast of Venice, however she didn’t go to highschool there. As an alternative, the sophomore was homeschooled. “She was recognized for her ardour for horses, her pure means, and her work ethic,” the USEF assertion added.
The USEF mentioned it’s nonetheless investigating the incident “to study what we will do to attenuate danger and enhance security in equestrian sport.”
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