The 11-year-old gelding initially lay on his side next to the fence. When he did eventually get back up on to his feet, he walked into an equine ambulance trailer and was taken to the on-site veterinary clinic for further assessment. There the decision was made to enthanize him due to an “irreparable” leg injury.
A statement from the FEI said:
“The Polish horse, Bob The Builder, which fell at fence 15 in the main arena with his rider Michal Knap, received immediate treatment at the fence and was taken to the on-site veterinary clinic for further assessment.
“Sadly, X-rays revealed an irreparable fracture of the horse’s front right long pastern bone (lower leg) and, on humane grounds and with the agreement of the owners and rider, the decision was taken to put the horse to sleep.
“A b at the on-site veterinary clinic.”
Bob The Builder was a KWPN gelding by Roven XX out of Inadja (Randel Z). This was his first championship appearance with Michal. They had competed at Strzegom several times previously, finishing seventh in a CIC* here in March this year and 16th in the CCI3* in October 2016.