A 15-year-old girl from Central Florida tragically passed away on Sunday following an equestrian accident during a riding competition held in Farm Lea Fox in Sarasota County, located in the southern region.
As per a statement issued by the United States Equestrian Federation, Hannah Serfass was mounted on Quaxx 2, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, participating in a hunter/jumper event when the horse stumbled and toppled over.
“The descent was not connected to an attempt to jump,” the statement stated.
The teenager from Webster was a part of the Wildwood Middle High School Track Team.
Hannah Serfass: What we understand about the equine incident that resulted in the demise of the junior horseback rider.
Previously, Fox Lea Farm will be hosting its inaugural Show Jumping Under the Stars Charity Challenge Ride.
According to a Sumter County School District official, she engaged in extracurricular activities with the school but made it clear that she was, in fact, receiving home-schooling. Her identity was confirmed on Monday.
“Expressed Jessica Christian, the educational coordinator for the Sumter County School District, ‘Connected to her, engaged with her, was indeed the track team.'”
The members of the team were notified about her passing on Monday morning.
The Serfass family from the U.S. Also included a statement, extending their deep condolences to Farm Lea Fox and Association Jumper Hunter.
The Federation’s spokeswoman, Vicki Lowell, noted in the statement that we will thoroughly review every accident to learn what we can do to increase safety and minimize risks in equestrian sports, taking each accident very seriously.
Fox Lea cited the federation statement on Monday afternoon after acknowledging the incident in a Sunday Facebook post.
“A tragedy took place at Fox Lea Farm today,” the post announced. “Out of respect for the family, no information will be disclosed at this moment. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, trainer, friends, and the entire equestrian community. We are all devastated.”
Both Sarasota County Fire Rescue and the Sheriff’s Department responded to a call following the accident on Sunday morning.
Serfass, a young rider, was halfway through a hunter/jumper competition track, having just completed jump number 5.
According to the report from the Sheriff’s Office, the horse successfully landed and took two or three steps to the next obstacle after leaning down significantly towards its left front hoof and then planting it.
The report stated that the rider fell off the horse, with the horse falling in the same direction. The rider’s action caused them to topple forward and fall onto the ground in the same direction.
Fox Lea Farm staff and others initiated initial medical assistance, until Sarasota County Fire Rescue arrived.
Serfass was transported by ambulance to the Venice campus of Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she was subsequently declared deceased.