The Twin Rivers CCI, CIC & H.T. Organizing Committee has announced the death of Walterstown Don, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Don Juan De La Bouverie—Walterstown Treacy VII) owned by Lauren Burnell and ridden by Rebecca Braitling.

Bec Braitling and Walterstown Don in the CCI** at The Event At Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana, in July 2017. Photo by Lindsay Berreth.

Walterstown Don was competing in the CIC*** division at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles, California, when he collapsed during the cross-country phase between fences 18 and 19 and died of unknown causes. A necropsy is pending. Braitling was attended to on site and then was transferred to Sierra Vista Regional Medical for further care.

Walterstown Don and Braitling placed fourth at the Galway Downs International CIC*** two weeks ago, and had several top-10 finishes at the CIC** and CIC*** levels in 2017. His owner, Burnell, won the Woodside International CIC** on him in October 2016. He was previously competed by Michael Pollard, and also had an extensive competition record in Europe, first with Irish rider Diarmuid O’Brien and then with Clayton Fredericks, who competed him at the Land Rover Burghley CCI**** in 2012.