Barack Obama (horse)
| Species | Horse |
|---|---|
| Breed | Anglo-Arabian |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Born | 1 January 1998 New Zealand |
| Died | 14 September 2018 (aged 20) Tryon, North Carolina |
| Cause of death | Dehydration |
| Occupation | Racehorse |
| Years active | 2009 – 2018 |
| Owner | Mark Round |
| Named after | Barack Obama |
Barack Obama (1 January 1998[1] – 14 September 2018) was an Anglo-Arabian horse that competed in international endurance events beginning in 2009.
In 2014, Jenny Champion began to ride the horse, and the team had fifteen starts and six wins.[2][3] In 2018, Champion began to fundraise to be able to participate in the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, with a goal of NZD$80,000. She trained with Barack Obama constantly, making sure that he was well-groomed after each ride.[4]
Together they represented New Zealand at the games in Tryon, North Carolina. The 120-kilometre race that Barack Obama participated in was abandoned due to weather, and he was taken into the Tryon International Equestrian Center to be treated for kidney issues. Shortly thereafter, Mark Round, Barack Obama's owner, elected to euthanize the horse.[2][3][5][6] Following the death of Barack Obama, samples were taken from his carcass.[2][3][7]
According to Sarah Dalziell-Clout, the Equestrian Sport NZ High Performance Director, Barack Obama's death was unexpected. She said that the horse was in good health prior to the race, and that the team veterinarian, Nick Page, was confident in Barack Obama's readiness.[8] FEI President Ingmar De Vos, as well as the FEI Veterinary Director and President of the Endurance Veterinary Commission, held a press conference stating that the race was abandoned for concerns over the health of the horses, with high heat and humidity causing a large number of the horses present to show signs of distress.[9] Of the 95 starters in the race, 50 saw veterinary treatment, including Barack Obama.[8] A veterinary report revealed that the horses treated were severely dehydrated from excessive sweating, and required fluid therapy.[10]
References
- ^ "Barack Obama (102TG75)". FEI.org. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ a b c "Horse named Barack Obama euthanized at World Equestrian Games". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ a b c "Statement on equine fatality - FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018". FEI. 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "The Challenge of Fundraising for Champion | ESNZ". ESNZ | The New Zealand National Federation for equestrian sports. 2018-06-29. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ Davis, Dillon. "Horse named Barack Obama competing in FEI World Equestrian Games euthanized in Tryon". The Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "2018 WEG Endurance: New Zealand Endurance Horse Euthanized". The Horse. 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "Horse euthanized after competing in WEG endurance race". The Tryon Daily Bulletin. 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ a b Wylie, Leslie. "New Zealand Horse Euthanized Following Abandoned WEG Endurance Race - Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary". eventingnation.com. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "Endurance Horse Euthanized Following Competition at WEG". Horse Sport. 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "Endurance Horse Euthanized at WEG". Horse Network. 2018-09-15. Retrieved 2024-07-22.