Three Horses Killed in Highway 1 Crash While Travelling to National Dressage Championship in B.C.

Lucas Tremblay

10/8/20262 min read

Canada’s equestrian community is mourning the deaths of three horses killed in a highway crash while they were being transported to British Columbia for a national dressage championship.

The horses were travelling from Manitoba and Alberta to Langley, where they were expected to compete in the 2026 Equestrian Canada National Dressage West championship at Thunderbird Show Park.

B.C. Highway Patrol officers were called to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 1 approximately 40 kilometres east of Revelstoke at about 8:45 a.m. local time on Oct. 6.

Police said the driver was towing a trailer carrying four horses when she lost control of the vehicle and struck a rock wall.

Three of the horses died and the fourth was injured.

Driver Taken to Hospital

B.C. Emergency Health Services dispatched an ambulance to the scene.

“Paramedics provided emergency medical care to one patient, who was transported to hospital in stable condition,” said BCEHS spokesperson Brian Twaites.

Police identified the driver as a 73-year-old woman from Langdon, Alta.

B.C. Highway Patrol Sgt. Michael McLaughlin said she was issued a $109 violation ticket for failing to keep right under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act.

Two Horses Were Among Manitoba’s Top Competitors

Dressage rider and trainer Mackenzie Abbott of Headingley, Man., said two of the horses killed in the crash were Fearless and Rosaria, both owned by Solace Stables.

Abbott had trained the horses and said they were expected to compete in Langley beginning Oct. 9.

“We have suffered an unimaginable loss and lost our beloved horses,” Abbott said.

“I loved my horses more than I could ever explain. My heart is completely shattered.”

Abbott described Fearless and Rosaria as leading competitors in Manitoba and said there had been significant anticipation surrounding their appearance at the national event.

“They were the top of their fields in our sport here in Manitoba, and we were looking forward to proving their capabilities to Canada,” she said.

Team Had Fundraised for Trip

Abbott said the horses were travelling with a hired driver when she received a call informing her of the collision.

Commercial transportation is commonly used in equestrian sport when horses and athletes need to travel long distances to major competitions.

“We all fundraised to get there,” Abbott said.

“We are just devastated to lose our best friends in the most tragic way.”

The deaths prompted condolences from riders, trainers and other members of the equestrian community across Canada.

Equestrian Canada Offers Support

Equestrian Canada said it had contacted the athletes and owners affected by the crash and was making mental health support available.

“Our equestrian community functions as a close-knit family, and a sudden loss of this magnitude is felt deeply by every rider, coach, groom, and owner across the country,” the organization said in a statement.

It extended sympathies to the riders, owners, families and support teams connected to the horses.

James Hood, chief of staff with Equestrian Canada, said organizers are also planning a fundraiser during the championship to help those affected.

“I encourage our athletes, our coaches and our grooms and owners to lean on each other in this time of loss ... because it is a trying time and we will get through this,” Hood said.

The National Dressage West championship is continuing in Langley as the equestrian community remembers the horses lost on their way to the event.

News

Stay updated with the latest BC news stories, subscribe to our newsletter today.

SUBSCRIBE

LINKS

Ethics