What a beautiful pair. Hugs to Lainey and her family during this tragic time.
So she’s actually a lot more injured than initially reported. Not a surprise, but still not the news I think any of us were hoping to hear this morning.
Lainey, you’re a beautiful, strong woman. Jamie and Frodo are frolicking together now, and both are with you always. Get strong, get better, and we’ll all be here cheering you all the way.
I didn’t realise that there had been two awful accidents.
Huge jingles for Lainey. I watched her at Blenheim and she looks like a lovely person.
[QUOTE=horsenut1966;3172464]
Thank you for the info and links…I had read about her on the “featured riders” of Rolex… I loved her story. I am sad for her and her family. It says the other horse she was riding was her friends…who had died at an event…too much : ([/QUOTE]
So tragic ;-(
Eric (Mazetto) belonged to Jonelle Richards (well known NZ rider) who produced him through to 4* level before selling him to USA based british rider Eleanor Brennan (who used to post on here…). Eleanor was tragically killed last year off another horse, and after her death her family passed Eric to Lainey to ride.
I have had Lainey’s blog in my favourites since she posted about going to Hong Kong for the pre olympic event that was held last year and live vicariously through her posts lol!
Get well soon Lainey from down here in NZ.
The story gets even more tragic. Lots of prayers being sent her way.
[QUOTE=Platinum Equestrian;3173112]
The story gets even more tragic. Lots of prayers being sent her way.[/QUOTE]
Laine was good friends with Eleanor; Laine was riding Mazetto/Eric in Eleanor’s colors (gold/green) in honor of Eleanor, since riding at Rolex was Eleanor’s dream. Laine had a great go on Eric yesterday morning and was near the top of the pack, after a double clear XC.
I watched the fall on the screen in the Eq. Club tent. I have never actually seen a rotational fall and pray never to see one again. Laine is lucky to be here.
May God Bless her and her family in this time of pain and loss.
As someone else posted, I believe that this was my last time to go to X-country day at The Rolex. Having witnessed all of yesterday’s falls, either in person or on the video moniters, I just don’t think that my heart is in it to watch anymore. :sadsmile:
From the Rolex website:
Family Statement for Laine Ashker
First and foremost we’d like to thank everyone - Laine’s friends, fellow competitors, fans and organizers - for all of the incredible support and well wishes sent our way. Given the sheer magnitude of Laine’s fall, we have a great deal to be thankful for. The good news is there was no injury to either the brain or spinal chord. While Laine suffered multiple injuries, including a badly broken jaw, broken ribs and clavicle, the main concern is with her collapsed lungs. She is progressing normally and is currently in reasonably stable condition in the ICU unit at the University of Kentucky Hospital. We appreciate your continued support and heart felt prayers.
Laine’s Family
Laine
Laine, and her Mother are in our thoughts and prayers today. This is such horrible news. They were both so wonderful to my family and I when we went to see their horse ‘Fishbones’ some years ago.
I’ve followed along in her journey, and have, many times prayed for her success…I just feel awful for her today, having just read of her accident!!
We wish them the best and know only too well how the loss of this wonderful horse will be for them, having gone through the loss of a beloved equine friend, and family member ourselves.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers today, and always!
Becka
Years ago a good friend suffered a similar fall over a hinged coop at a horse show. It is a long recovery, but our prayers are for full healing and a return to good health. God bless the family during this time.
Eventing Has Issues
When are we going to all wake up and realize eventing is not safe? Having attended Rolex all weekend and witnessed the falls this is the worst Rolex I have ever seen. It is a sport of risks but when people and horses are dying every year at this rate it is completely unacceptable. Eventing has huge problems that must be addressed and the sport must be changed.
There is much I would like to say about this but have a difficult time finding the words.
I sadly had a perfect few of Laine’s fall yesterday. I, along with my friends, was standing at the rope perpendicular to the fence.
I have never seen a rotational fall. The sheer witness of it sent me to my knees. Laine is beyond lucky to be alive. The only thing I can say as a result of witnessing the fall is that the sport MUST be adapted to remove the risk of rotation. I will never forget seeing that as long as I live. It’s an image that has been on replay in my head the past 24 hours.
Sending MAJOR
prayers and jingles for lainies Swift recovery!
I had moved away from the basket fence a few horses before her fall.
I still was in view and turned just in time to see his hind legs flip.
My heart breaks for her. Praying she will be on her feet in a hurry! :(
[QUOTE=Robby Johnson;3173666]
There is much I would like to say about this but have a difficult time finding the words.
I sadly had a perfect few of Laine’s fall yesterday. I, along with my friends, was standing at the rope perpendicular to the fence.
I have never seen a rotational fall. The sheer witness of it sent me to my knees. Laine is beyond lucky to be alive. The only thing I can say as a result of witnessing the fall is that the sport MUST be adapted to remove the risk of rotation. I will never forget seeing that as long as I live. It’s an image that has been on replay in my head the past 24 hours.[/QUOTE]
I had hoped to never see one as well. I was not at Rolex on saturday but was emailed a link of the fall earlier today. The image was absolutely horrific. I was shocked someone would post that video so soon after the accident when everyone is still reeling. Major jingles to Lainey, my heart really goes out to her and her family…from the looks of the fall we are quite lucky to not be mourning the loss of such a talented rider as well as a phenomenal horse.
One of my “Facebook friends” put a link to the video in her status message. No real indication of what it was. I clicked on it… the clip is so short, I didn’t have a chance to click away. Seriously horrifying.
the kentucky website also said that The Quiet Man was also euthanized. Wow, so sad. I hope that Lainey will be ok.
Poor, poor Laine and Frodo. I saw the youtube video, absolutely horrifying. I can’t imagine having seen it in person.
Jingles and hugs to Laine.
[QUOTE=IfWishesWereHorses;3173109]
So tragic ;-(
Eric (Mazetto) belonged to Jonelle Richards (well known NZ rider) who produced him through to 4* level before selling him to USA based british rider Eleanor Brennan (who used to post on here…). Eleanor was tragically killed last year off another horse, and after her death her family passed Eric to Lainey to ride.
I have had Lainey’s blog in my favourites since she posted about going to Hong Kong for the pre olympic event that was held last year and live vicariously through her posts lol!
Get well soon Lainey from down here in NZ.[/QUOTE]
Here’s a cool picture-I did wonder why she was in green and gold. Thanks for this background. Lainey, we’re all pulling for you…
http://www.useventing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/MorningCrossCountryRoundsatRolexKentucky_C361/Ashker.jpg
This is so heart-wrenching. I am praying for Lainey and her family.
I didn’t know this had happened until I got online this am and went to the HJ forum and saw a post about how unsafe eventing is. The I came here and read the horrible news. I know after accidents like this, people often start questioning the safety of the sport. I hope that officials can examine what went wrong and do whatever they can to prevent such a tragedy again without putting an end to such a wonderful and exciting sport. It makes me sad for the horses and riders who have suffered to be made examples of for certain agendas, but at the same time, I would hate for things not to become safer for both horses and riders. I hope that makes sense.
I am so sad for both riders that lost their horses. A horse is so much more than just an animal - they are our partners and as such, are a part of us.
Certain agendas? Are you kidding?
After years of not riding eventing myself but supporting fellow riders that want to do it, I no longer can do that and have been vocal about it.
It’s the dead horse thing at the upper levels, almost every Rolex since I lived in the area and I read almost every **** has a catastrophic wreck. Not always rotational but made more likely to cause career ending injury or worse by the contruction of the fence.
Riders have a choice and choose to point the horse at something that could kill them both. For what? Personal glory? Failing to understand what can happen or thinking it won’t happen to them?
Tradition? Come on…ducks and flower baskets?
So, yeah, I have an agenda. Dead horses and terrible rider injuries at the very top levels at increasingly regular intervals ands being told I just don’t get the kick on at all costs so don’t understand.
Guess not.
