Three show horses killed in Highway 1 crash near Revelstoke

Three dressage horses were killed in a crash on Tuesday while being transported to Thunderbird Show Park in Langley.

Thunderbird president and CEO Chris Pack said that four horses were being hauled to the facility by a third-party contractor to compete in the 2026 Equestrian Canada National Dressage West championship when the accident occurred.

“The trailer flipped over and three of them had to be put down. Like literally on the side of the road. It would have been terrible,” Pack said. “Then the fourth one had to be taken to a vet clinic. I don’t think it looks great for that one, but there might still be a chance it will survive.”

Pack said three of the horses were from Manitoba and one from Alberta.

“I know they were upper-level horses. One was a grand prix horse, which is the highest level,” he said.

“It’s a sad time. A horse is not just a tool for a sport, they are a best friend, an everything.”

RCMP highway patrol Sgt. Michael McLaughlin told CBC News that the crash occurred on Highway 1, 40 kilometres east of Revelstoke, at around 8:45 a.m.

He said the driver, a 73-year-old woman from Langdon, Alta., lost control of the vehicle and collided with a rock wall. One person was transported from the scene by ambulance.

Equestrian Canada spokesperson James Hood said the equestrian community is a close-knit family.

“A sudden loss of this magnitude is felt deeply by every rider, coach, groom, and owner across the country. EC extends its heartfelt sympathies to the riders, owners, families, and the entire support team surrounding these beloved horses,” Hood said.

According to a post on Facebook, one of the horses was from Solace Stables in Manitoba and trained by Mackenzie Abbott. Abbott had been fundraising to pay for transportation and other costs for Fearless, who died in the accident. Another horse from Manitoba, called Rosaria, also died.

The surviving horse is called Flirty.

“There are truly no words for what we are feeling right now. I don’t think I have even begun to comprehend that this is real,” Abbott wrote on Facebook.

“I ask for prayers while we try to process what has happened and grieve this unimaginable loss, as well as prayers for Katherine’s horse Flirty who survived but will require recovery mentally and physically. I loved my horses more than I could ever explain. My heart is completely shattered.”

The Solace Stables website says Fearless was imported from New Zealand and is “the hardest working horse in the barn.”

Pack said that around 150 horses will be competing in the 2026 Equestrian Canada National Dressage West championship that starts this Friday.

dcarrigg@postmedia.com