In a shocking turn of events, Chromatic BF, an Oldenburg gelding owned by breeder KC Branscomb and Branscomb Farms LLC, collapsed and died in the stabling area shortly after helping the United States win a medal at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup on Thursday, April 18.
The horse had just finished third in the second round of jumping competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier that evening. Along with Jill Humphrey, Chromatic BF had posted a time of 48.36 seconds in a seven-horse jump-off, landing them on the podium alongside Swedish teams Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, and Peder Fredricson and Catch Me Not S. The team was placed fifth overall after finishing 12th on Wednesday.
Despite immediate efforts by U.S. Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians to resuscitate him, Chromatic BF could not be revived according to a statement released by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). Samples have already been taken from the horse in accordance with FEI veterinary regulations, and a full postmortem will be conducted in line with FEI protocols.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has expressed its deepest condolences to Jill Humphrey, KC Branscomb, Branscomb Farm LLC, groom Pepe Rodriguez and all of Chromatic BF’s connections following this tragic news.