On Thursday, April 18, the United States secured a spot on the podium of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The horse responsible for this achievement, Chromatic BF, collapsed and died in the stabling area shortly after the competition. This was announced by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).
Chromatic BF, an Oldenburg gelding owned by breeder KC Branscomb and Branscomb Farms LLC, had just finished third in the second round of jumping with rider Jill Humphrey. The pair had posted a time of 48.36 seconds in a seven-horse jump-off, securing their place on the podium along with two Swedish teams and one Danish team.
However, tragedy struck when Chromatic BF collapsed in the stables following the competition. Despite efforts to resuscitate him by U.S. Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians, he could not be revived. According to an FEI statement, samples have already been taken from the horse in accordance with veterinary regulations and a full postmortem will be conducted following FEI protocols.
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 in a statement following his tragic death.