Shooting at Sacramento International Horseshow

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

This feels like “when worlds collide” between Current Events (where gun control is often discussed) and Hunter/Jumper.

Apparently 2 people (described as “workers”) were shot last night at 2:30 a.m. at Murieta Equestrian Center following a dispute over a soccer game. Is anyone there, or does anyone have further details?

For context, although “Sacramento International Horseshow” sounds very urban, in fact the showground is about 30 miles from Sacramento is a quiet, rural-ish town called Rancho Murieta. It’s a beautiful, low-key venue, so this seems very surprising and unfortunate.

https://www.kcra.com/article/rancho-murieta-equestrian-center-shooting-sacramento-county/45454599

[MHM]

As awful as the story is, I’m glad no horses were hurt.

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

Same. I even thought about how loud the gun must have been and wondered if the horses were scared.

I’d say this is the premier week of the year at Murieta, with multiple Grand Prix classes, so there are some incredible and valuable horses there.

[MHM]

Omg. It’s World Cup week. So yes, safe to say there are some valuable horses there.

[Hoofbeat_Heartbeat]

Got this email from show management. I know some people showing there this week, no details though.

[MHM]

I wonder how many people did not show up for work today at the horse show with the authorities there on the property.

[RingThree]

I’m here, staying in a camper on the showgrounds. Sounds like a bunch of grooms were playing soccer in one of the arenas (and drinking) and ended up with a couple of them getting shot…today seemed completely normal and as I have my kids with me, haven’t spoken about it at all. I don’t think it had anything to do with the horses here or their value- more of “it’s all fun and games, until people get drunk and someone has a gun” so sad to hear about it this morning. Some of our stablemates were watching the soccer game last night while walking horses…

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

Thanks for the info.

The saddest part of that account is “someone has a gun.”

If no one had had access to a gun, it would have been your basic fistfight and all hard feelings would probably have blown over in a day or two.

@RingThree

someone has a gun”

[BLBGP]

Ayuda Ricardo , organized by Lily Berlin

[Theotherrider]

@Horsegirl_s_Mom and others…
I am at the show. The gunshots ( I heard three, some people say they heard four) were very loud for whoever was asking about that. It happened on the far East side of the property I was on the far west side of the property and could hear them very loud, and horses were spooking.
To be clear no one had a gun at first. There was an argument amongst grooms and possibly a fist fight. Someone who may, or may not have been a groom but was present for the soccer game, left the property and came back with a gun, and that is when the shooting occurred. Allegedly the shooter acting in retaliation for the fist fight.
No horses were hurt thankfully and no other people were hurt thankfully but it could have been worse I suppose if this party had been in a different location -down a barn in aisle, or near the campers.
As of Friday morning, the shooter has not been captured. But there were video cameras that according to sources, caught the license plate number as did the security guard at the entrance gate as the shooter fled.

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

Thank you for this update. I hope the shooter will be caught.

[carrie_Kehring]

Ricardo is a much loved, well respected groom in our community. He is critical condition in the surgical ICU. There has been a gofundme established to help him with medical costs, the extensive physical therapy that will be needed post recovery and flights to bring his parents to him. The event occurred after a groom soccer match at the show. Ricardo was working and staying on the show grounds and was shot by someone who participated in the game, but is not involved in the industry. If you are able to contribute to the gofundme, please do.

[Mardi1]

@Theotherrider

No horses were hurt thankfully

Thank you for this. It was what I wondering about when I posted last night. Yesterday’s Instagram statement from West Palms said the safety and security of their exhibitors, spectators and staff was their priority. The omission of the horses really stuck out. Glad all is well.

[trubandloki]

COTH has an article about this situation.

https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/2-grooms-shot-after-hours-at-sacramento-international/?fbclid=IwAR2PUW_WT5grfdknM5vYPEIEuzLawSa5zLmZJsuYoxBpJhb_YJFn2mcM5cI

[MHM]

Thank you to those who know the situation for the updates. How horrible.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for those who are hurt, and a speedy capture for the person who did it.

[Mardi1]

Luckily the security guard at the gate wrote down the suspect’s license plate. Hard to imagine any of the grooms who know the guy would give up his name.

[MHM]

Any updates? Have they caught that guy yet?

[CuriosoJorge]

It’s disturbing, but not surprising, that two people had severe life threatening injuries, and COTH’s reaction is, but no valuable horses were injured.

[BrownDerby]

Go Fund Me for second victim. No updates on the local news.

PRIMO, organized by Cyd Lisa

[Horsegirl_s_Mom]

@CuriosoJorge

It’s disturbing, but not surprising, that two people had severe life threatening injuries, and COTH’s reaction is, but no valuable horses were injured

I don’t think that’s fair. GoFundMes have been posted for both grooms, and people have expressed hope for their full recovery. There are still a lot of facts missing about how people came to be involved in a fistfight that later turned to gun violence.

This is a forum of animal lovers. It’s not surprising people have expressed relief that no innocent animals–who don’t have a choice to be stuck in stalls helpless while people are apparently waving guns around–were injured.