After putting the United States on the podium Thursday, April 18, in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final, Chromatic BF collapsed and died in the stabling area, the Fédération Equestre Internationale has announced.

“Chromatic BF had returned to the stables after competition on the evening of 18 April and later unexpectedly collapsed over one hour after returning to his stable. He was immediately attended to by the U.S. Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians but was unable to be resuscitated,” stated a release from the FEI:

It is with great sadness that we announce that the US horse Chromatic BF, ridden by Jill Humphrey, has passed away during the FEI World Cup Final.

Chromatic BF had returned to the stables after competition on the evening of 18 April and later unexpectedly collapsed. He was immediately attended to by the US Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians but was unable to be resuscitated.

In line with the FEI Veterinary Regulations, samples have already been taken from the horse, and a full postmortem in line with FEI protocols will be conducted.

KC Branscomb Clarifies Rumors

Clarifying rumors surrounding events Kc Branscomb made a statement on Facebook on what “happened here Riyadh involving Chromatic after his  spectacular performance.”

“After hacking normally after the class, Chromatic returned to the barn happy and calm attended by his life time caretaker Pepe Rodriguez and Jill. After resting and refreshment, he was given a routine recovery shot of electrolytes by the USET Team veterinarian. Upon returning to his stable to be wrapped, blanketed, and put away for the evening, with me present (Kc Branscomb) the horse began to seizure and collapsed in the stall. He was immediately treated and examined by both the USET and FEI veterinarians and was pronounced dead shortly after. As owner and breeder, I want it clearly stated that no one was at fault. The horse did not suffer and there is no evidence that his passing was in anyway related to his strenuous and spectacular performance with Jill well over an hour earlier or the team veterinarians injection. A full autopsy report will be provided to me at some point.

What I HOPE people will take away from this freak accident and great tragedy is that it was a night of tears – tears of joy and tears of loss. If I would ask anything of those of you that knew or celebrated him, let’s remember him for how he lived and not for how he died. The sport lost a great one today.” KC Branscomb

Doing Well in World Cup Final – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Connor—Sonnengirl B, Concept 2), owned by breeder KC Branscomb and Branscomb Farms LLC, earlier in the evening had finished third in the second round of the jumping competition, which is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With rider Jill Humphrey, he posted a time of 48.36 seconds in a seven-horse jump-off to claim a podium spot along with the Swedish teams of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward (43.38) and Peder Fredricson and Catch Me Not S (45.45).

The pair finished 12th on Wednesday and were sitting in fifth place in the overall standings.

FEI Veterinary Regulations

In line with the FEI veterinary regulations, samples have already been taken from the horse, and a full postmortem in line with FEI protocols will be conducted, the FEI said.

“US Equestrian sends its sincerest condolences to Jill Humphrey, KC Branscomb, Branscomb Farm LLC, his groom Pepe Rodriguez, and all Chromatic BF’s connections, stated a release from the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

Doing Well in World Cup Final – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Connor—Sonnengirl B, Concept 2), owned by breeder KC Branscomb and Branscomb Farms LLC, earlier in the evening had finished third in the second round of the jumping competition, which is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With rider Jill Humphrey, he posted a time of 48.36 seconds in a seven-horse jump-off to claim a podium spot along with the Swedish teams of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward (43.38) and Peder Fredricson and Catch Me Not S (45.45).

The pair finished 12th on Wednesday and were sitting in fifth place in the overall standings.

FEI Veterinary Regulations

In line with the FEI veterinary regulations, samples have already been taken from the horse, and a full postmortem in line with FEI protocols will be conducted, the FEI said.

“US Equestrian sends its sincerest condolences to Jill Humphrey, KC Branscomb, Branscomb Farm LLC, his groom Pepe Rodriguez, and all Chromatic BF’s connections,” stated a release from the U.S. Equestrian Federation.