RIYADH, Saudi Arabia--Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann on King Edward won the second class in the World Cup Finals with Sweden's Peder Fredricson on Catch Me Not S second, and they lead going into the final day of competition.
fHenrik von Eckermann on King Edward (Photo by Martin Dopoukil)In a day that went from incredible joy to unbelievable sorrow, Jill Humphrey on Chromatic finished third in that class at the World Cup Finals behind von Eckermann and Fredricson.
But just a few hours later, after cooling out normally, Chromatic died.
There's a statement from his owner KC Branscomb, who bred Chromatic, posted at the bottom of this story explaining what happened.
von Eckermann won in an amazing performance that underscored King Edward's status as the best horse in the world.
In a seven horse jump-off, von Eckermann went last, and although he was leading on time after the second to last fence, he flat out ran the length of the ring and flew the last fence to win in 43.36, over two seconds faster than Fredricson, who had finished in what had looked like a very fast time of 45.45, with Humphrey third in 48.36.
Pieter Devon of Belgium on Casual DV Z, a 9-year-old that appears to have the potential to be another top world class horse, was fourth, clean in 49.28.
JULIEN EPAIILLARD of France on Dubai du Cedre was fifth with four faults in 46.30, Gregory Wathelet of Belgium was sixth, four faults in 47:27, and Marcus Ehning of Germany on Coolio was seventh with eight faults.
"It was amazing," said von Eckermann. "I had two really nice rounds. Of course, I was a little nervous, but I really enjoyed being out there. Peder put pressure on me, but I was able to keep him behind me."
Kent Farrington on Greya was the fastest of the four faulters in the first round to finish ninth behind Ramzy Al Duhami of Saudi Arabia who had one fault.
After the first two classes, points were converted into faults, and von Eckermann leads with 0 faults, Fredricson has 2 faults, Epaillard has 4 faults and Farrington has 6 faults.
Hans-Dieter Dreher of Germany has 7 faults, followed by Ben Maher of Great Britain with 9 faults and Belgians Pieter Devos and Wathelet on 10 faults.
For Americans, Skylar Wireman has 19 faults, Devin Ryan has 21 faults and Sophia Siegel has 27 faults.
The top 30 will compete in the third class at 8:45 Easter Daylight time on Saturday, and the top 20 will compete in the final class at 11:30 Eastern.
His owner KC Branscomb, who bred Chromatic, posted what had happened on social media.
“I am writing this to try to clarify what has already begun to travel as rumors surrounding events that happened here in Riyadh involving Chromatic after tonight’s spectacular performance. After hacking normally after the class, Chromatic returned to the barn happy and calm attended by his lifetime caretaker, Pepe Rodriguez, and Jill.
“After resting and refreshment, he was given a routine recovery shot of electrolytes by the U.S. team veterinarian. Upon returning to his stable to be wrapped, blanketed, and put away for the evening, with me (KC Branscomb) present, the horse…seizured and collapsed in the stall. He was immediately treated and examined by both the U.S. and FEI veterinarians and was pronounced dead shortly after. As owner and breeder, I want it clearly stated that no one was at fault. The horse did not suffer and there is no evidence that his passing was in any way related to his strenuous and spectacular performance with Jill well over an hour earlier, or the team veterinarian’s injection. A full autopsy report will be provided to me at some point.
“But what I HOPE people will take away from this freak accident and great tragedy is that it was a night of tears — tears of joy and tears of loss. If I would ask anything of those of you that knew or celebrated him, let’s remember him for how he lived and not for how he died. The sport lost a great one today.”
