I’m sorry to ask such a specific question but was this a rear-flip, or a fall-flip?
I heard it was a trip and fall.
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How horrible. I am terrified of the same happening when I’m riding, honestly.
My condolences to the family.
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No rear, no rotation over jump - horse went 3 or 4 strides tripped and fell on her.
Em
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Jesus. What a horrible, horrible tragedy.
Awful.
And do what instead? Leave the victim’s identity to speculation and rumor?
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Yes? It is common not to release the name of individuals under 18.
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I agree. The names of children killed in shootings are published. The names of the people killed over the years riding with my fox hunt were published. If you are killed in a car accident your name is published. As long as your relatives are notified first, why hide from the public the names of people killed in equestrian activities?
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It’s not common to release the names of individuals under 18 who face criminal charges.
Deaths of any sort are a matter of public record. Law enforcement may delay identifying the deceased until next of kin are notified. But we all have a right to know who died and under what circumstances, as heartbreaking as those facts may be.
Condolences to all affected.
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Eventually, yes. But many articles won’t release a name of a minor immediately (and the article seems like it was published within 24 hours).
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Often these accounts are written off press releases issued by law enforcement. Also, no law precludes law enforcement from disclosing a victim’s name BEFORE next of kin is notified. Law enforcement does so as a courtesy. Typically then a press release is issued with the victim’s name, age and hometown.
Media don’t wait xx hours to identify a victim. Reporters need confirmation from official sources. Sometimes that can take an hour. Sometimes it can take weeks or months.
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I believe the law about information in Florida is a bit different than in most of the rest of the country as well. If anything the OP’s post is a good reminder to wait for firsthand/official information before posting because their initial story was very different and very prejudicial toward the show.
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The HSD thread said the horse involved was a “DS” horse. What is that? So terribly sad.
Don Stewart, I think. But judging by the entries, I think it was one she leased.
On this, I am so glad that the Ontario (Canada) law agencies and news agencies have elected to stop releasing names of fatalities in accidents etc, unless specifically told to by the family. It should always be a families decision to release the information, when and where they feel they need to, and as appropriate.
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I’m not surprised they released the name so quickly - word spreads fast and there were dozens of posts on social media including her Instagram. I wonder if there are any rules to prevent this if they got her name organically?
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“It is with our deepest sympathy the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that Hannah Serfass suffered a fatal accident yesterday, April 30, while competing at the Fox Lea Farm Spring Concours I in Venice, Fla.
Hannah, 15, was riding Quaxx 2, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, in an equitation class when the horse tripped and suffered a rotational fall. The fall was unrelated to a jumping effort. The EMT responded immediately, and Hannah was transported to Sarasota Memorial where she was pronounced dead. The horse was uninjured in the accident.”
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There was also a horse at TerraNova euthanized after a x-c “accident”. I didn’t see it reported anywhere but I was there.
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Why did you put accident in quotes? What happened?
