A Fort Saskatchewan woman has died after an equestrian incident.
On Saturday (Feb.29), Equestrian Canada (EC) released a statement saying 33-year-old Katharine Morel died after an accident at the Rocking Horse Winter III Horse Trials in Altoona, Florida.
According to the statement, Morel was riding an eight-year-old thoroughbred mare when the horse had a “rotational fall.” The horse, Kerry On, also suffered fatal injuries.
In a rotational fall, a horse and rider somersault and the horse lands on its back. The pair reportedly fell while jumping a fence in a cross-country course.
“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. “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.”
An investigation by Equestrian Canada alongside US Equestrian is ongoing.
