A horse participating in a jousting exhibition has died after accidentally being stabbed in the groin by a broken lance.

Shane Adams, owner of Knights of Valour Extreme Jousting, said an 18-year-old Percheron named Phantom was participating in a jousting exhibition at the Wiregrass Renaissance Faire, near New Brockton, Alabama, on Jan. 20, when he stepped on a lance that had broken when it hit another rider competing in the match.

“The lance was lying flat, not sticking up like a pike, and, in stride, Phantom stepped on it and it stabbed him in the groin and severed the femoral artery,” he said. “It was a freak accident.”

Adams led Phantom out of the exhibition area, called for a veterinarian, and tried to stop the bleeding, but the horse died shortly after