Reddick, FL (September 27, 2011) – This past weekend the team at Magnolia Hill Farm in Reddick, Florida lost the talented 12-year-old Westphalian show jumper, Gilmore 48. Gilmore was euthanized late in the afternoon on Friday, September 24, 2011 after being injured in an attempt to jump out of his paddock. Gilmore’s devastated owners include rider Damian Guthrie, his wife, Rebecca Guthrie, Chester Weber, and My Elisabeth Weber. Damian Guthrie had recently qualified Gilmore for the 2012 London Olympics while representing Australia in 6 Nations Cup events and the pair was on the Australian Show Jumping Elite Squad.
“We are all stunned,” said Damian Guthrie. “It happened in an instant. Gilmore was turned out and decided to try to jump out of his paddock for no apparent reason other than that he was feeling pretty good about himself. He landed badly after taking the fence at an angle; I knew immediately that there was no hope for recovery or rehab. We were able to get a vet to the farm within ten minutes and Gilmore was euthanized soon after.”
For the Webers and the Guthries, the loss of their successful Grand Prix horse was not just a blow to their competition schedule, but also to their family. “He was the most beloved horse on the farm,” said Guthrie. “Gilmore had a great life with us. He had the premium paddock with the best grass and shade; more importantly he had the best view of his lady friend Camilla, my wife’s retired jumper who lived next door to him. His stable provided him with a view of the farm and all of his other buddies so Gilmore could never feel left out of anything. My daughter Emilia even has teddy bears named after Gilmore; he was so much more than just a Grand Prix jumper.”