We have some tough news from Blenheim. Madison Park retired from the Blenheim CCI3* cross-country course this afternoon after going suddenly and severely lame upon the landing of a fence. Kyle pulled up and Parker was taken back to the barns. Vets discovered that he had torn a ligament and slipped a tendon off of his hock. I spoke with Jen Carter, Kyle’s wife, who told me that Parker is feeling better now and he is bright and comfortable in his stall. He will spend at least a month at Mike Winter’s farm in England before shipping back to the States. Jen said that time will tell if Parker will come back to compete at a top level. Kyle re-routed Parker to Blenheim after falling early on the Burghley course when Parker pulled a shoe and slid into a table. Kyle and Parker have represented Canada multiple times internationally including at the Beijing Olympics and the World Equestrian Games in Lexington last year.
I feel terrible for Kyle, Parker, the Carter family and all of their connections. No one in this sport works harder than Kyle and Parker is one of my favorite horses. All of us at Eventing Nation wish Parker a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back there again soon. Kyle has posted a full update from today on his blog. Go Parker.
