Horse Serious

This past Sunday the equestrian community faces the tragic loss of 15-year-old Hannah Serfass. During a competition in Florida, Hannah was knocked off her horse and then the horse fell on her head.

Hannah is from Webster, Florida and was competing in the Fox Lea Farm Spring Concours I in Venice. “The horse tripped and suffered a rotational fall,” The U.S. Equestrian Federation has said.

The county Sheriff’s Office has said that Serfass was halfway through the course when she tried the sixth jump and the incident occurred.

“The horse landed the jump successfully and took a few steps toward the next obstacle and for reasons unknown leaned too far forward and tripped.” Authorities have stated.

“The action caused the rider to fall forward and off the horse onto the ground. The horse continued to fall in the same direction falling over and onto Serfass head.”

Fox Lea Farm employees rushed to aid Serfass but tragically, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The horse, Quaxx 2, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, was not injured.

Serfass was a talented rising star in the equestrian sport. She was revered by friends, family, and fellow equestrians for her work ethic and love of horses. She will be missed immensely by the community.

The equestrian federation is investigating the accident to learn how they can minimize risk and increase safety efforts within the equestrian sport.