During Sunday’s CSI5* Grand Prix Hermès in Paris, the 15-year-old mare Twentytwo des Biches (Mylord Carthago x Kalor Du Bocage) had an accident at the very last fence of the course and had to be taken to a veterinary clinic for further examinations. 

Today, Christiana Brechtbühl – the owner – has published an update in social media on Twentytwo des Biches’ condition, explaining that examinations revealed that the mare had suffered a bone fracture on the left front leg and that she as a consequence had to undergo surgery. 

“Today's news is reassuring and a great relief,” the update reads. “The surgery went well, Twentytwo is on her own two feet and took her first steps in the yard of the clinic this Tuesday morning. The vets are very happy with the result. The recovery will of course take time and the only goal is for Twentytwo to enjoy her well-deserved retirement.”

In the update, Bryan Balsiger, the rider of Twentytwo des Biches, stated: "This is very difficult for me and I'm very upset. But I'm also relieved that the surgery went well and that Twenty already is standing and walking. Now I hope with all my heart that she will be recovering well so I can see her back in the field as soon as possible. Twenty has given me so much and helped me achieve my dreams, she means so much to me. Thank you all for the great support which I have received since Sunday. It means a lot to me."

With Balsiger in the saddle, Twentytwo des Biches jumped at last year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo and the pair had lots of success together with Grand Prix wins in Gorla Minore, Vilamoura and Vermezzo. Twentytwo des Biches has also been hugely successful with Romain Duguet in the saddle; the pair placed second in the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Omaha in 2017, and they were also a part of the Swiss team that took the bronze medal at the 2017 European Championships in Gothenburg. 

At World of Showjumping, our thoughts are with everyone close to Twentytwo des Biches.