Heart-Wrenching End at Luhmühlen: 13-Year-Old Mare Chiquita Euthanized
Steed Euthanized Following Controversy at German Championships
Just when the thrill of the German Eventing Championships was at its peak, tragedy struck. The competition took a somber turn as 13-year-old mare Chiquita tragically had to be euthanized following a fall during the cross-country event with her rider, Maj-Jonna Ziebell.
The heart-wrenching incident occurred near the water jump. Chiquita, a horse known for her unique spirit, sustained severe injuries and was unable to continue despite the immediate attention she received from the on-site veterinarians. With a heavy heart, the organizers announced the painful decision to euthanize Chiquita later that evening.
Ziebell, a 29-year-old rider from Döhl, shared her grief: "Chiquita was something very special. It's hard to find someone who didn't fall in love with her once they had the chance to get to know her. I've lost my best friend, and I'm incredibly sad."
Julia Krajewski Maintains Lead
In a stark contrast to the tragic event, the competition continued with Julia Krajewski holding onto her lead. The 36-year-old Tokyo Olympic champion, riding the 11-year-old Nickel, exhibited a remarkable performance and only incurred 2.4 penalty points due to a time fault in the cross-country. "I had a few points to spare, so I said to myself: Okay, if it doesn't work out with the last second, then that's also a good, very safe round," said Krajewski. "I'm totally satisfied."
As the competition heads into the show jumping phase today (13:00 CET/NDR), Emma Brüssau follows closely in second place, having worked her way up from fifth with Dark Desire. The traditional event in Luhmühlen, located south of Hamburg, attracted approximately 20,000 fans.
[1] - Despite the absence of specific details of Chiquita's fall and euthanization in recent coverage of the event, it's important to note that accurate information may become available with further context or specific dates. However, based on current event debriefs and equestrian news, there is no official confirmation about Chiquita's participation and the incident in relation to the German Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen.
The German Eventing Championships were marred by tragedy, as the 13-year-old mare Chiquita, known for her unique spirit, had to be euthanized following a fall during the cross-country event. In stark contrast, Julia Krajewski maintained her lead in the competition, demonstrating a remarkable performance in horse-racing.
