Skip Kemerer and Ice Joy

[Barbara White]

An announcement from Ride Director Mike Pickett:

 

The Tevis Cup Ride Director Mike Pickett along with the Board Of Governors of the Western States Trail Foundation have expressed their condolences to rider number 110 Skip Kemerer and his family for the accidental death of Skip’s horse Ice Joy while participating in the 54^th Western States Trail Foundation 100-Mile One-Day Ride.  

 

Approximately one quarter of a mile past “swinging bridge” on the way to the Devil’s Thumb check point, Skip Kemerer was leading his mare Ice Joy when she lost her footing and fell off of the trail and suffered a fatal skull injury upon impact. 

 

Ride volunteers including an EMT were immediately sent to the site of the incident as soon as it was known from the Devils’ Thumb check point, followed by the arrival of Assistant Ride Director Lynn Seeley, and one of the ride veterinarians Dr. Rob Lydon.  Dr. Lydon pronounced that the horse sustained  a fatal  skull injury upon impact due to the fall. 

 

Skip Kemerer was not injured and hiked to the Devil’s Thumb check point accompanied by a volunteer who was an EMT.