2004 Olympic Games - Eventing

Over and Over had to be put to sleep

The horse of Joris Vanspringel (BEL), Over and Over, who suffered a serious injury on fence 26 of the cross country yesterday had been immediately brought to the Veterinary Clinic.

Prof Leo Jeffcott (GBR), President of the FEI Veterinary Commission and Dr Nigel Nichols (AUS) Foreign Veterinary Delegate today issued the following statement: "The horse was prepared for surgery in the evening of 17 August. During the operation, Prof Jack Snyder (USA) found that in addition to the fracture of the left femur, there was an extensive soft tissue and articular damage causing severe instability of the stifle. This made a satisfactory repair of the fracture impossible.

After careful consideration for the future welfare of the horse, it was reluctantly decided that the only option was to put to sleep the horse before it recovered from anaesthesia."

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