‘My Heart Is Broken’: Top Five-Star Rider Pays Tribute to Horse Put Down Following Luhmühlen Injury

A heartbroken equestrian recently shared the news of her horse’s passing. Tamie Smith has been riding for the past 25 years now. She represented Team USA in many international competitions. Smith is a qualified rider, trainer, and ICP Level 4 Certified Instructor. She specializes in eventing, dressage, and show jumping, which helps her grow into a well-rounded athlete. Her journey has been smooth running with many riders looking up to her throughout the way.

Tamie Smith recently took part in an international eventing competition on 17 June, when her horse was injured while advancing to the next level. The injury looked curable at first, but the incident soon escalated in a few days. The rider penned an emotional note on a recent Instagram post, sharing her emotions with everyone.

Equestrian shares devastating news of her horse’s demise

Among her many show horses, one of Smith’s dearest was an Argentinian-bred mare, Solaguayre California. Cross-country at the Luhmühlen CCI5*-L event in Germany, the 12-year-old horse sustained a slab fracture on the knee. While an operation was underway, the horse was unable to recover after surgery and was humanely euthanized. On her handle @tsmitheventing, Smith wrote, “My heart is broken as I write this and say that @solaguayre California was humanely euthanized.”

The incident happened at the first of the six events, part of the “Champions League” of eventing tournaments, which was Solaguayre California’s debut at the first water complex at the German five-star. Smith further added, “I find comfort knowing we were able to get her to the best surgeon with the best medical team.” The two have shared many milestones winning big this season and setting examples of successful rider-horse duos along these lines.

Nevertheless, Smith was unprepared to lose her horse and examined him, thinking it was “just a sting.” The two exchanged some priceless memories over the seasons and will always hold a special place in the US eventer’s heart. As Smith sat down to compose the lengthy, heartfelt post on her social media account, she was reminded of some of their recent professional milestones.

Memories shared by the horse-rider duo

Smith was a proud rider of the Holsteiner. She says, “California was a star in the making and showed the world, especially this season how incredibly gifted she was.” Solaguayre California and Smith had teamed up to win multiple events, including the CCI2-S and CCI3-S at the Woodside International in October 2021. They triumphed at the October 2022 Morven Park International CCI4*-L. Smith won the CCI3*-S at Red Hills International and the CCI3*-L at Jersey Fresh in 2021 with her. 

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Additionally, the gold-winning duo at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, included Tamie Smith and Solaguayre California. As the Argentine Silla mare Solaguayre California (Casparo x Solaguayre Calandria), rests in peace, she leaves Smith the way of living. Or, as Smith says, “California was the epitome of “Carpe Diem”…….so I take this meaning of living life to the fullest in her memory.” The true meaning of companionship reflects in California and Smith’s beautiful journey, which continues to strengthen the other beyond life.

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