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.
