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 CCI5*-L field was narrowed by one this afternoon following the first horse inspection on High Hope Inspection Lane at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Horse and rider pairs were looking their best, with a few horses demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming competition through their flamboyant behavior (we're looking at you Bronte Beach Z and Dyri).
The man, the myth, the legend himself, Derek di Grazia is back in his typical fashion at this year's Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and he has designed some beautiful tracks for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S competitions this year. You can get a first look at these amazing courses as well as some insider interviews with di Grazia himself thanks to our friends at the CrossCountry App!
It's the most wonderful time of the year—and we aren't talking about the holiday season. Welcome to 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) week! This week the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, will be crawling with eventing lovers from all across the globe for the first five-star of the 2025 season and the USEA is excited to once again be onsite for all of the action.
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