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Subject: Rolex Tragedies
Content: Two riders and horses fell during the cross-country phase of the Rolex Kentucky over the weekend. Rider Laine Ashker is in critical condition and horses Frodo Baggins and The Quiet Man had to be euthanised. Tragedy struck the equestrian world on Saturday when two riders and horses fell in the cross-country phase of the three day Rolex Kentucky Equestrian event. The Rolex Kentucky is the highest level three-day event in horsing in the Americas. On Saturday, Laine Ashker was riding Frodo Baggins in the cross-country when they fell at fence number five. They failed to clear the fence resulting in the horse flipping over and crashing on top of Ms. Ashker. Laine Ashker was taken to the University of Kentucky hospital where she is in critical condition in ICU. She suffered multiple injuries including a broken collarbone, broken jaw, multiple fractured ribs and punctured lungs. She is able to move her extremities and is expected to recover. Frodo Baggins was immediately attended by a team of veterinarians and transported to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. It was determined that he had suffered a fracture at the base of his skull and a severe lung injury. The decision was made that he would have be be euthanised. He was a New Zealand Thoroughbred who had been bought by Laine Ashker about six years ago. He is best known for his performance as the leading Dark Rider horse in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies. Rider Sarah Hansel and her horse The Quiet Man also fell in the cross-county on Saturday. After attempting to save the horse overnight, it was determined that he was suffering too badly from his injuries and the decision was made to euthanise him on Sunday.