Michael Eilberg's Half Moon Dynasty Severely Injured in Hacking Accident

Fri, 06/02/2017 - 23:30
British Dressage News

Michael Eilberg's Grand Prix horse Half Moon Dynasty got severely injured in a hacking accident on Wednesday 31 May 2017. The mare spooked during a hack and got caught in several wire fences that injured her front legs.

Half Moon Dynasty is a 13-year old British Hanoverian bred mare by Dimaggio x Laptop, owned by Julie Deverill. Eilberg made his CDI debut on the mare in 2014 at small tour level and moved her to international Grand Prix level in 2016. In 2017 they have competed at the CDI's in Keysoe and Saumur. The pair had just returned from the national show in Somerford where they achieved two 70%+ scores.

Her bright rise at Grand Prix level has now abruptly ended as the mare sustained almost lethal injuries in a freak hacking accident.

"She panicked on a hack causing her to sustain horrific injuries that almost lead to us loosing her. It was down to some kind souls, a great deal of team work and Mollie being the fighter that she is that I can tell you she is still here with us today," Eilberg summarized. 

To Horse & Hound, Eilberg explained the accident in more detail. "Mollie" spooked from a cow, spun round and became caught in a fence with her foot. She then panicked, jumped into the fence and got tangled, freed herself by falling over and then bolted without her rider, running through more fences and jumping a hedge into a deep ditch near a road.

"We thought she had broken her legs because she was showing signs of not being able to stand. It was so horrible — she tried getting up and panicked and almost fell back in the ditch," Michael told Horse&Hound

As soon as the vet arrived, Dynasty was sedated on the spot and loaded into a trailer to be transported to the Three Counties Equine Hospital. After five hours having been down in a padded stall, she miraculous stood up again. A hoist first helped her to regain balance and after half an hour she stood unassisted and walked out of the padded stall. 

Dynasty is still at the clinic recovering from her wounds, but the extent of her injuries are not yet know. The wounds to her front legs are severe but no joints seem to be hurt. 

"It is still early days yet to know the true extent of her injuries but we are hopeful as she has come this far! The vets tell us that it was a miracle she managed to get up from such an ordeal," said Eilberg.

Photo © Risto Aaltonen

Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Half Moon Dynasty
Sa Coeur and Der Designer Return to Germany, Collaboration with Eilberg Ended
Bigwood and Eilberg Clean Up 2016 CDIO Saumur Big Tour
Eilberg and Half Moon Dynasty Win Inter I Kur at 2014 British Indoor Championships
Half Moon Dynasty Wins Future Elite Championship at 2013 British Horse of the Year Show