Temecula, CA June 13, 2017 - Tamra Smith, in conjunction with The West Coast Dempsey Syndicate LLC, regretfully announce that the 9-year-old Dutch Gelding “Dempsey” was humanely euthanized yesterday due to unexpected postoperative complications while in recovery at the University of Montreal Veterinary Hospital.
The surgery, which took place Monday morning, was required to repair an ulna fracture sustained during cross-country competition at the Bromont CCI3* Event. Unfortunately, after a successful surgery and subsequent promising prognosis for a full recovery, Dempsey suffered complications while in recovery which would not have allowed him a proper quality of life.
“I am absolutely devastated,” said Smith. “Dempsey lived life to the fullest every day and I feel incredibly lucky to have ridden him. He was one of the most talented horses I have ever come across and from the first moment I jumped him I knew I had to have him, a reality made possible thanks to the incredible members of the West Coast Dempsey Syndicate LLC. Our barn will certainly never be the same without his sense of humor and zest for life, and we will miss him more than I can comprehend.”
Together, Dempsey and Smith had many notable achievements in their career since he began eventing in 2013. In 2016, the duo finished second at the Rebecca Farm CIC3* before heading overseas to complete the Blenheim CIC3* and Boekelo CCI3*. This season they added top 10 finishes at the Galway Downs CIC3* and most recently the Jersey Fresh CIC3*.
For more information about Tamra Smith, and Next Level Eventing, please visit www.nextleveleventing.com.
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to offer the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the upcoming USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. The AEC will take place at Galway Downs in Temecula, California, from Wednesday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Aug. 31.
Seventeen-year-old Carolyn Rice, a high school junior from Johns Creek, Georgia, has spent the last 10 years riding at Willow South Riding School—the very place where she first sat on a horse. What started as a casual introduction quickly became a lifelong passion.
A field of top veteran riders is entered in this year’s Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier, at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, which returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27.
Trainers are some of the most important people in our lives. They develop our skills, ensure that our horses receive quality care, and look out for our best interests as equestrians.