Consensus Collapses, Dies at Ocala Winter I H.T.

Julie Norman and Consensus. Photo by Kasey Mueller.

We are heartbroken to report that Consensus, an 18-year-old Thoroughbred/Hanoverian gelding owned by Julie Norman and ridden by Adriana Beruvides, collapsed and died this afternoon on the Prelim cross country course at Ocala Winter I H.T.

The USEA released the following statement:

“The Equiventures Organizing Committee regrets to announce the death of Consensus, an 18-year-old Thoroughbred/Hanoverian gelding (Contucci x Miss Me Not 2823) owned by Julie Norman and ridden by Adriana Beruvides.

“Consensus was competing in the Open Preliminary division, collapsed during the cross-country phase between fences 16 and 17 and died of natural causes. Beruvides was attended to on site and then was transferred to Ocala Regional Hospital for further care.

The Organizing Committee of the Equiventures Horse Trials and the USEA wishes to extend its deepest sympathy and condolences to all of Consensus’ connections.”

Consensus, known around the barn as “Thomas,” was campaigned through the four-star level by Julie Norman, with whom he completed the 2014 Kentucky Three-Day Event. The story of their partnership is a star-crossed one: She came across him being marketed as a dressage horse, and while he was 8 years old, had only ever jumped a few crossrails, and was quite the bucker, Julie was dazzled and set to work on her new event project. Her faith paid off and they steadily advanced up the levels, eventually tackling the biggest tracks in the country.

More recently, Julie handed the reins to student Adriana, whom Thomas has shown the ropes through the Prelim/one-star level over the past couple years, even contesting the NAJYRC 1* in 2017.

Our deepest sympathies to Julie, Adriana and all those whose lives Thomas touched.