Tragic Loss: U.S. Jumper Chromatic BF Dies at the World Cup

Jill Humphrey and her 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Chromatic BF, tragically collapsed and died in the stabling area shortly after representing the United States in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final on April 18. Despite being attended to by both U.S. Equestrian veterinary staff and FEI veterinarians, he was unable to be resuscitated. The horse had finished third in the second round of the jumping competition earlier in the evening with rider Jill Humphrey.

Jill Humphrey and Chromatic BF had posted a time of 48.36 seconds in a seven-horse jump-off to claim a podium spot alongside the Swedish teams of Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson. Before his tragic collapse, the pair had finished 12th on Wednesday and were sitting in fifth place in the overall standings of the competition.

In accordance with FEI veterinary regulations, samples have been taken from the horse, and a full postmortem will be conducted. The U.S. Equestrian Federation expressed their deepest condolences to Jill Humphrey, KC Branscomb, Branscomb Farm LLC, Chromatic BF’s groom Pepe Rodriguez, and all others connected to the horse. The equestrian community mourns the loss of this talented and beloved athlete.