Boucane, a 12 year old Canadian-bred Thoroughbred ridden by Yves Landry (CAN) in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event died after a fall at jump 7C. Landry, while shaken, was in good physical condition after the accident. The following statements were made by event officials regarding the death of this accomplished eventer.

Mr. Brian Ross, President of the Ground Jury at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event said, “We are saddened by the loss of this fine equine athlete today, and we offer our sympathies to the horse’s owner and family. As President of the Ground Jury, in accordance with FEI directives, I formed a committee of inquiry comprising Dr. John Mayo, Veterinary Emergency Officer, Patricia Gilbert, and FEI event organizer and official, and James Wofford, a past Olympic rider and current trainer of riders on the international level. I asked this committee to gather all the facts.” 

Dr. Catherine Kohn, VMD, the event’s veterinary delegate, said, “The horse Boucane fell after negotiating Fence 7C, the log off the bank. He hit his head and rolled after he fell. In less than one minute, he appeared to be dead. In less than two minutes after the accident, a veterinarian examined him and confirmed his death. A necropsy was performed this afternoon (Saturday, April 25) at the Kentucky State Diagnostic Laboratory. Preliminary results show that the horse died because his aorta ruptured into his pericardial sac, which means that the largest blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart ruptured into the sac around the heart. The horse died of cardiac tamponade. This means that the sac around the heart filled with blood, and prevented the heart from effectively pumping blood