The 2010 European Junior and Young Riders Championships started with a tragedy as Italian Young rider Riccardo Sanavio had to have his mount Usson van Essene euthanized after the horse broke its leg.
Sanavio and Usson van Essene, a Belgian warmblood gelding by Gotthardsen x Goldspring de Lauzelle, arrived at the Kronberg show grounds for the European Championships on Saturday morning 17 Juy 2010. Unfortunately the grey stallion suffered from an inguinal hernia and was immediately transported to Justus Liebig Universitary Equine Clinic in Giessen.
Though the surgery was successful, Usson van Essene broke his leg when waking up from the anesthesia. While the vets (including Italian vet Dallora who drove especially from Italy), the owner and chef d'equipe were exploring the options to save Usson for a life in the field, he also suffered from a colic attack due to a 180° twist of his intestine. It was decided in the best interest of the horse to humanely put him down.
Riccardo Sanavio and Usson van Essene were the strongest Italian pair that was supposed to compete the 2010 European Championships. The 20-year old Sanavio competed Usson at the 2009 Young Riders World Cup Finals and 2008 and 2009 European Youth Riders Championships. In 2010 he won the CDI Lipica and placed at the top at the CDI La Mandria.
Photo © Dirk Caremans
Related Links
Ricardo Sanavio to Represent Italy at the 2009 Young Rider World Cup Finals
Scores 2008 European Young Riders Championships