The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) said last night it will guide its team rider, Amy Tryon, through the FEI hearing process and enforce any decision taken by the organisation over the injury to her horse, Le Samurai. The gelding went badly lame on the cross-country course at the Rolex Kentucky three-day event last weekend.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is currently reviewing the incident, which took place on 28 April. The FEI has requested a statement from Rolex Kentucky’s ground jury and appeal committee. A hearing will then be conducted at which a tape of the incident will be reviewed.
In a statement to the press, the USEF said: “A schedule for this hearing and judgement has not yet been set. The USEF will honour that decision, abide by it and enforce it.”
The statement continued: “Amy Tryon is devastated by this tragic injury to her partner, Le Samurai. She has been an outstanding representative of the United States, winning many medals in many international competitions including the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games. Amy is respected worldwide as a kind and generous horsewoman and an athlete of great character and principle.”
Amy Tryon led the dressage on Le Samurai, but the horse went lame before the last cross-country fence. When the pair finished, the event vet found Le Samurai to have “lost the supporting ligaments in his front leg”.
A film of the incident was available on the video-sharing website, YouTube, but it has since been removed following a copyright claim. The incident has lead to entensive debate on H&H’s online forum.
The USEF has also said that Le Samurai continues to “rest comfortably” at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington.
Photo by Julia Sherwood
