The following statement on the eventing horse Box Qutie, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare ridden by Anna Freskgård of Sweden which completed the WEG cross-country course with 20 jumping faults and 18 time penalties, has been released by Swedish Team press officer Matilda Hjertstrand:

It is with great regret that we confirm that the horse Box Qutie, ridden by Sweden’s Anna Freskgård in the Eventing Championship at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018, was euthanised at 16:21 this afternoon.

The 12-year-old mare pulled up lame after the finish of the cross country on Saturday (15 September) and was transferred by horse ambulance to Tryon Equine Hospital, the official referral hospital for the Games. Soft tissue injuries were diagnosed and initially the mare was improving, but despite receiving the best veterinary care, her condition worsened yesterday due to circulatory complications.

As a result, the horse’s owner, Therese Örup, together with the athlete, groom and veterinarians, elected for euthanasia today.

In line with the FEI Veterinary Regulations, a post mortem will be conducted. Samples had already been taken from the horse on cross-country day after the injury occurred.

Box Qutie had been competing at international level since 2013 and had 34 FEI starts, including a win at the CIC3* in Strzegom (POL) in April of this year, one of 11 top 10 finishes in her career. Anna Freskgård rode the mare as an individual for Sweden at the FEI European Eventing Championships 2017 in Strzegom.