Tragic Loss of Beloved Equestrian Competitor: United States’ Chromatic BF
The United States has just placed on the podium in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final, but the celebration was short-lived when 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding Chromatic BF collapsed and died in the stabling area. The horse had returned to the stables after competition and unexpectedly collapsed, despite immediate attention from U.S. Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to resuscitate him.
Chromatic BF had earlier finished third in the second round of jumping competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with rider Jill Humphrey. Along with Swedish teams of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward and Peder Fredricson and Catch Me Not S, they claimed a podium spot in the seven-horse jump-off. The pair finished 12th on Wednesday and were in fifth place in the overall standings.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation expressed its deepest condolences to Jill Humphrey, KC Branscomb, Branscomb Farm LLC, groom Pepe Rodriguez, and all of Chromatic BF’s connections. Samples have already been taken from him in accordance with FEI veterinary regulations, and a full postmortem will be conducted to comply with FEI protocols.
