Top Eventer Loses 4 Horses in Tragic Road Traffic Accident

A top eventer loses four horses in a tragic road traffic accident.

Yesterday evening (24 August), international event rider, Nick Gauntlett announced that he had lost four horses in a freak road traffic accident.

Travelling to competition at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials, the eventer’s horse box had unfortunately broken down just 30 minutes from the site.

Following highway protocol, all team members were out of the box and the horses left inside.

However, whilst waiting for recovery services, Nick and his team watched on as a lorry ploughed into the side of their horse box.

Announcing the news, Nick spared details of the event but did sadly say that his horse Party Trick and three of, fellow 4* eventer, Sophie Hulme’s horses were lost in the incident.

Nicks statement read;

Tough day… maybe an understatement!”

“My amazing family are fine & that is definitely the main thing, but today we lost Party Trick & 3 of Sophie Hulme’s horses.”

“We are obviously all heart broken. Lucy Morgan & Asha Riches-Wood, the emergency services, vets and people generally were amazing.”

“Thank you everyone for your words of support and offers of help. The Eventing world yet again proving what at an amazing family it is.”

Party Trick was set to campaign and 4* level this autumn. Meanwhile, it is thought that Sophie lost horses who she was competing at 1* and 2* level at Blair Castle.

It is unknown to what may have caused the devastating incident.

Header Image; Nick Gauntlett riding Party Trick (Nick Gauntlett Eventing Facebook Page)