Wise Espartaco, 2004-2015
The USEA regrets to announce that Wise Espartaco collapsed and died after completing the CCI2* cross-country course at Roebke’s Run Horse Trials in Fairfax, Minn. from an apparent cardio-pulmonary incident.
Wise Espartaco was an 11-year-old Argentine Sport Horse owned and ridden by Ronald Zabala-Goetschel. The pair had jumped around the course clear with 24.4 time penalties. This was Wise Espartaco’s first attempt at a CCI2*, but had recently finished 15th in the Intermediate division at the Virginia Horse Trials.
Wise Espartaco has been transported to the local equine medical center, and the USEA will be covering the cost of the necropsy as is customary in these sad cases. The USEA Equine Cardio-Pulmonary Task Force will be reviewing the findings.
The USEA sends its deepest condolences to Ronald and all of Wise Espartaco’s connections.
Related Articles
How Three Eventers Found Their Stride in the USEA Intercollegiate Program
When Lucy Ann Walter arrived at college a few years ago, she brought more than just her books and boots. She brought her off-the-track Thoroughbred, her love for eventing, and a determination to grow a fledgling intercollegiate team into something bigger.
Cornelia Fletcher: Horses & Family
Cornelia Fletcher has always known she wanted a life filled with horses and family. A young eventing trainer and rider, Cornelia was determined not to let her professional goals derail her desire to start a family. In June 2024, that wish came true when Cornelia gave birth to her daughter, Sparro...
USEA Welcomes Back Retired Racehorse Project as Sponsor for the 2025 American Eventing Championships
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce a renewed partnership with the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP), which will once again support the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) as a Bronze Sponsor.
