YOUNG EQUESTRIENNE HANNAH SERFASS

Fifteen-year-old Hannah Serfass of Florida suffered a fatal head injury during an equestrian competition. In a statement released by the US Equestrian Federation (USEF), Hannah Serfass was riding Quaxx 2, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, while competing at the Fox Lea Farm Spring Concours in Venice, Florida, when her “horse tripped and suffered a rotational fall.” Serfass fell off the horse, which then landed on top of her. Emergency personnel immediately responded to Serfass. She was transported by ambulance to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The horse didn’t suffer any injuries during the accident. Serfass was a very talented, up-and-coming rider known for her “passion for horses, her natural ability, and her work ethic.” Tributes for the teenager poured in from around the equestrian community. The USEF said it will be “reviewing the accident thoroughly” to improve equestrian safety.