Barack Obama (1998 – 14 September 2018) was an

Anglo-Arabian The Anglo-Arabian, also known as the Anglo-Arab, is a horse breed that originated in France by cross-breeding a Thoroughbred with an Arabian. The Anglo-Arabian has origins tracing back to the Limousin Horse. It was officially recognized by Empe ...

horse from New Zealand that competed in international

endurance Endurance (also related to sufferance, forbearance, resilience, constitution, fortitude, persistence, tenacity, steadfastness, perseverance, stamina, and hardiness) is the ability of an organism to exert itself and remain active for a ...

events beginning in 2009, the same year that his namesake became

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...

Racing career

In 2014, Jenny Champion began to ride the horse, and the team had fifteen starts and six wins. In 2018, Champion began to fundraise to be able to participate in the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, with a goal of NZD$80,000. She trained with Barack Obama constantly, making sure that he was well-groomed after each ride. Together they represented New Zealand at the games in

Tryon, North Carolina Tryon is a town in Polk County, on the southwestern border of North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 1,562. Located in the escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, today the area is affluent and a center ...

. The 120-kilometre race that Barack Obama participated in was abandoned due to poor weather conditions, and he was taken into the Tryon International Equestrian Center to be treated for kidney issues. Shortly thereafter, Mark Round, Barack Obama's owner, elected to

euthanize Euthanasia (from : + ) is the practice of intentionally ending life to eliminate pain and suffering. Different countries have different euthanasia laws. The British House of Lords select committee on medical ethics defines euthanasia as "a ...

the horse. Following the death of Barack Obama, samples were taken from his carcass.

Death

According to Sarah Dalziell-Clout, the Equestrian Sport NZ High Performance Director, Barack Obama's death was unexpected. She said that the horse was in good health prior to the race, and that the team veterinarian, Nick Page, was confident in Barack Obama's readiness. FEI President

Ingmar De Vos Ingmar De Vos (born 5 August 1963) is a Belgian professional sports manager serving as the thirteenth and current President of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (''Fédération Equestre Internationale'') (FEI). He is also a membe ...

, as well as the FEI Veterinary Director and President of the Endurance Veterinary Commission, held a press conference stating that the race was abandoned over concerns for the health of the horses, with high heat and humidity causing a large number of the horses present to show signs of distress. Of the 95 starters in the race, 50 saw veterinary treatment, including Barack Obama. A veterinary report revealed that the horses treated were severely dehydrated from excessive sweating, and required fluid therapy.

References

{{reflist 1998 racehorse births 2018 racehorse deaths New Zealand racehorses

horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 mi ...

Animal deaths by euthanasia Animal deaths in the United States

Racing career

Death

See also

References