Heartsick for their families. What a tremendous loss.
Condolences to both families, what a heartbreaking time.
So, so sad. Such beautiful young people. Tragic.
My sympathies for both families and the many friends they leave behind
How terrible…he had just married in December, his poor wife…a widow so soon!
Cheryl
So sad and thoughts to both families and friends.
Never knew him but did see him compete at Thunderbird and Spruce Meadows.
P.
I had the opportunity to interview Andres a couple of years ago when his star was just beginning to rise and he struck me as a very smart, kind and classy guy and a lovely rider.
One of the things we discussed was his love of bringing along young horses.
He told me that winning that week’s 7 year-old class meant as much to him as a Grand Prix ribbon because it was an achievement “that goes beyond the minute and a half you spend with them in the ring.”
"It’s the whole concept of looking for a horse, developing a horse, so it’s a bit of a bigger satisfaction than those minutes in the ring. It makes me feel like I’m doing the right thing.
Sometimes I feel that every day I know less, but it’s comforting to know that in the future I will have horses that I developed myself and they’re going to be able to compete at the international level."
I didn’t know Sophie but hers is an equal loss.
My sympathies go out to the families, and I do hope this tragedy prompts some soul searching in the Wellington equestrian community, because these two are not the first to die tragically from what appears to be preventable circumstances late on a Sunday night.
Please let’s make them the last.
Updated story from the Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/one-dead-one-hanging-on-in-wellington-polo-club-wr/npxD3/
[QUOTE=ybiaw;8469043]
Updated story from the Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/one-dead-one-hanging-on-in-wellington-polo-club-wr/npxD3/[/QUOTE]
“Alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to the PBSO report.”
So very sad. My heartfelt condolences to all their families and friends.
So tragic. Thinking of their loved ones. What an awful way to start the year.
[QUOTE=Mike Matson;8469114]
“Alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to the PBSO report.”[/QUOTE]
What an awful awful thing to happen, I feel sorry for their families. But at least they didn’t hit another car or a pedestrian. Drunk driving is such a despicable thing, I don’t understand how people feel it’s okay to put everyone’s lives in danger like that…
[QUOTE=Mike Matson;8469114]
“Alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to the PBSO report.”[/QUOTE]
Sadly, not at all surprising 
[QUOTE=asminton;8469909]
What an awful awful thing to happen, I feel sorry for their families. But at least they didn’t hit another car or a pedestrian. Drunk driving is such a despicable thing, I don’t understand how people feel it’s okay to put everyone’s lives in danger like that…[/QUOTE]
This is such a tragic loss, but unfortunately no more tragic than those killed by drunk driving every week. Hopefully a story of this magnitude will make people think twice about driving under the influence. From my understanding, there is quite a big party culture at WEF and I doubt this is the first incidence of driving under the influence that occurred there.
Just recently, a young family with two young children were killed locally by a drunk driver and it has definitely sparked much discussion around driving under the influence, and I have noticed a significant increased in tv and radio commercials promoting alternative ways to get home after drinking.
Between driving under the influence, and texting while driving (illegal in most of Canada) there are just SO many extremely preventable accidents that unfortunately claim too many lives. Unfortunately, it seems to be one of those things that no matter how many laws and how many resources are available to prevent these incidents, there will always be those who are too selfish and think that they are above it all that will put themselves and others at risk.
[QUOTE=Denzel;8470044]
Between driving under the influence, and texting while driving (illegal in most of Canada) there are just SO many extremely preventable accidents that unfortunately claim too many lives. [/QUOTE]
Even without a specific law about texting or any other activity similar to that while driving, it is still illegal because I believe just about everywhere has laws against distracted driving.
[QUOTE=ybiaw;8469043]
Updated story from the Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local/one-dead-one-hanging-on-in-wellington-polo-club-wr/npxD3/[/QUOTE]
According to the Flag Code, “Only the President of the United States, your state’s Governor, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia can order the US flag lowered to half-staff.”
[QUOTE=neigh;8470144]
According to the Flag Code, “Only the President of the United States, your state’s Governor, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia can order the US flag lowered to half-staff.”[/QUOTE]
I have a real problem with this.
Yes it was sad. Yes he was a high level rider. But he drove drunk.He did something stupid and killed himself and someone else (thank god no one else) He wasn’t a president. It wasn’t a national tragedy. They arent being mourned by this country.
The flags are on private property, they can do whatever they want with them.
ETA: Not that I think it’s right or wrong…I’m just saying.
Regardless if alcohol was a factor or not, two people are tragically left without their spouses at VERY young ages. Parents have lost their children. This is no different from any other accident as Denzel pointed above, but just closer to home for those who are a part of a the horse community.
My heart breaks for the husband and wife left behind. I can’t imagine losing a spouse, let alone in such a swift and tragic manner.
[QUOTE=neigh;8470144]
According to the Flag Code, “Only the President of the United States, your state’s Governor, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia can order the US flag lowered to half-staff.”[/QUOTE]
I wonder if they meant the competition flags, of which there are many at that venue? Those can be flown at half-staff.
