Jude’s Law Euthanized

By John on


Two weeks ago to this day Jude jumped around the Jersey Fresh CCI3* with ease to finish in second, via Abby

My sorrow and sympathies are well beyond words by now so I’m going to keep this short and to the point. Michael and Nathalie Pollard’s Jude’s Law was euthanized Sunday afternoon at Rood and Riddle Equine hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.  Jude was injured in the Friday morning trailer accident that resulted in the death of one horse at the scene and Icarus being euthanized on Saturday afternoon.  Following the accident, Jude’s injuries appeared limited to external cuts and he was stitched up with every intention that he would return to work shortly, with a very long shot at competing at the Bromont three day event in two weekends.  However, on Sunday morning Jude began to show signs of internal injury and he was rushed to Rood and Riddle from the Pollards’ facility in Georgia.  Jude was showing significant distress upon arrival and he was immediately sent to surgery.  Once in surgery he was diagnosed with a ruptured cecum and euthanized.  The ruptured cecum appears caused by the trauma of the Friday accident.

I saw Jude on Friday and he was resting comfortably and in great spirits.   Jude’s treatment was overseen throughout the weekend by one of the best vet teams in the entire world and his deterioration over the last 10 hours comes as a complete shock.

Jude, an 11 year old Irish Sport Horse gelding, was owned by the Pollards and John Bryant.  His potential with Michael really had no ceiling and four days ago I would have told you that Jude had a great shot at making the US short list for the Olympics and heading to England for final Olympic preparations.

Pollard Eventing has released a statement that reads in part:

“The veterinary team led by Dr. Chris Newton admitted Jude immediately for surgery where he was diagnosed with a ruptured secum.

“This is a nightmare that I can’t seem to wake up from. This horse was so special to me and yet at the moment I just feel numb. He looked like he was going to be fine in a few weeks. I am absolutely crushed,” said Michael.

Jude joined the Pollard Eventing Team in July 2011. He competed Advanced with his previous rider, Beth Temkin, including Rebecca Farm CIC***, under the ownership of Hilary Bates who rode him at Training Level. With Michael he was runner up at the Richland Park CIC 2* in 2011. This season he won the Pine Top Spring Advanced Horse Trials and the Southern Pines Advanced Horse Trials before going to Jersey Fresh earlier this month to finish runner up in the CCI3*. He was one of twenty horses still in contention for the 2012 Olympic Games and was the third ranked USEA horse through the first half of the year.“

The lives of three horses have now been claimed by the Friday morning trailer accident.  Two of the three remaining other horses injured in the accident–Raphael and Little Star–continue to recover at the Pollard facility in Chattsworth, GA.  Schoensgreen Hanni was transported to Rood and Riddle on Saturday morning with Icarus for an appointment with her specialized farrier.  She is resting comfortably with only very minor cuts and, although who can say at this point, she seems ready to be back in work in just a few days.

This weekend has been a nightmare for our sport that won’t stop.  Our sympathies, thoughts, and prayers continue to reach out to Michael, Nathalie, Jude’s connections and their entire team.  Go Jude.

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  • Buffyblueny

    This is so sad!  Such a tragedy! My heartfelt condolences to everyone involved with these amazing horses.

  • guest

    words can't express this story anymore.  John you said it the best that anyone could, this truly is a nightmare that won't stop.  Go Ulando, Fly and Jude.  Good luck team Pollard, my thoughts are with you guys

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mary-Getsey-Bernier/795817935 Mary Getsey Bernier

    comforting hugs to all at Pollard Eventing, this is simply too much loss to fathom...

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=709418521 Elice Bunnell Shelton

    so very sorry to hear of this sadness

  • http://www.facebook.com/patriciateel Patricia Teel

    We are so very sorry to hear this. RIP

  • Genieb

    such lovely horses, I am sorry

  • Gfpowell

    So sorry for your loss. Better to have loved and lost then to never have loved. RIP

  • Blazegirl1

    We lost our first horse to lightening, we had him for only a year and a half. I can really understand the numbness you feel in your loss. So sad and so, so sorry. Our thoughts are with you during this heartbreaking time.

  • Blazes1

    So sorry about your loss. We lost our first horse to lightening and had him for only a year and a half. I can really understand your feeling of numbness . This is so sad and our thoughts are with you all.

  • Gallop Girl

    Our thoughts are with the Pollards and all involved in this tragedy....my heart is broken for them. Like others have said, I would love to know if the person responsible for this will be held accountable, as they should be.

  • Guest

    *ulando.. Autocorrect

  • Cjkolb

    This is so sad for all of us right now.   RIP Jude.   

  • Nikolynn

    I am so sorry and hope the driver who caused the accident goes to jail!!!

  • Maggie Jones

    Crap happens w/horses all the time, often unexpected and making no sense, but this soooo could have been prevented. Whoever this driver is should not be allowed to drive ever again. As has been stated--who can't see a (big) horse van? They will run over a person next...or a child, maybe!  They deserve worse but they at least should never drive again. Although I can only imagine their pain for what they caused.  We all need to put down our phones and pay attention to our driving FOR GOD'S SAKE! This so could have been prevented. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you dealing with this senseless tragedy.

  • Madison Temkin

    Bye Jude I always loved you. I never new the last time I would ever see you again was at Galway in 2012. As I walked around the corner I said your name and you stuck your head over the blue stall door and nickered a soft nicker. RIP Jude, I love you.

  • Madison Temkin

    I always loved you Jude. I used to sit and watch you play in those green pastures, now you have even bigger ones to play in. I never new the last time I would ever see you again was at Galway 2012. As I walked around the corner I said your name softly, you remembered it and stuck your head out that blue cement stall door and softly nickered at me. I said i love you and as I walked away you pawed and made a little noise. I love you and will miss you and always think about the days we would play in the pastures. RIP Jude, i love you.

  • Madison Temkin

    I always loved you so much Jude. I remember when I used to sit and watch you play games in those green fields, we would play chase sometimes to, but now you have bigger, and greener fields to run and play games in. I never thought the last time I would ever see you would be at Galway 2012. As I walked around the corner I said,"Jude" softly, you remembered my voice and stuck your head out that blue cement stall and nickered softly, I gave you a big hug and said I love you. As I walked away you pawed and nickered I ran back and cried and said to you I love you and said someday we will see each other again, you wrapped your head around me, I said I love. RIP Jude I always loved and thought you were the coolest 3* horse. Goodbye I will always remember you.