Altoona, Fla.—Feb. 29

The U.S. Eventing Association announced that Canadian eventer Katharine Morel and her 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare Kerry On suffered a rotational fall at fence 8 of the intermediate level cross-country course while competing at the Rocking Horse Stables Winter III Horse Trials on Feb. 29.

The horse suffered fatal injuries and died shortly after the fall. The rider was immediately transported by Lake County Emergency Medical Services to a local hospital in Tavares, Florida, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

An Equestrian Canada press release stated that Morel, 33, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, discovered Kerry On as an off-the-track 3-year-old, and the pair worked their way up the levels to make their FEI debut in 2019.

Morel completed the Rebecca Farms CCI2*-L (Montana), Ocala International CCI2*-L (Florida) and Red Hills International CCI2*-S (Florida) with the mare in 2019. They placed fourth in an open intermediate division at Rocking Horse two weeks ago.

“The equestrian industry lost not just an exceptional athlete, but an exceptional person, as well as the horse she loved,” said EC high performance director James Hood in the press release. “On behalf of EC, I extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Katharine, as well as to the entire team who surrounded Kerry On.”