SUNDAY'S Isle of Wight Grand National — the first to be held on the Island in two years — was deemed to be a success by organisers, but it was marred by an injured horse humanely destroyed on the course.
The ex-racehorse, Richards Sundance, ridden by Del Laverty, suffered a broken leg in what was described as a 'freak accident' on the course during the main event, the Isle of Wight Grand National, at West Ashey Farm.
He was one of only three runners in the Grand National, which attracted a good-sized crowd.
Laverty had ridden one of the two circuits when the fall occurred.
Leading Island eventing rider Karen Begley, a member of the Isle of Wight Point to Point Committee, which organised the afternoon's races, said: "We had a cracking day. The weather was wonderful and the course was the best I'd seen it in three or four years.
"The ground was good and the jumps were perfect, but unfortunately, at the end of the day, the horse, Richards Sundance, broke his leg and had to be put down.
"It was an unforeseen, freak incident. It was very sad.
"The horse was an ex-racehorse, so he may have had an old stress fracture, which may have 'popped'. These things happen sometimes.
"After such a successful day, it was a bit of an anti-claimax at the end."
The scurry and national fences are a mixture of hurdles, hedges and open ditches.
There was plenty of racing action for the 'Puffing Billy' Stakes, the 'Puffed Out Billy' Stakes, the Junior Scury and the ever-popular Ashey Scurry.
Karen continued: "It was a great day. I was pleased with the entry numbers — a good mix of Islanders and mainland riders and horses. It was very competitive.
"The best supported race was the popular Puffed Out Billy, which featured five junior riders from the Island, with Islander Georgia Carmichael winning it on Coblet Carla."
Once collated, the results are due to be publsihed on the event website: http://www.iw-scurry.co.uk/
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