Athina Onassis loses leading mare in freak jumping accident

The death of Athina Onassis de Miranda’s mare AD Camille Z following a freak accident during a grand prix showjumping competition has marred the CHI Geneva competition in Switzerland.

Media reports on the accident vary, with one indicating that de Miranda fell when AD Camille Z missed a jump and hit a barrier, and another saying the mare fell after jumping an oxer, during qualifying competition on Thursday night. AD Camille Z broke a hind leg in the accident, and it reportedly took 45 minutes for the mare to be sedated and taken to a veterinary clinic, where the extent of her injury was revealed.

The competition was resumed after an hour-long delay.

AD Camille Z was an 11-year-old Belgian bred Zangersheide mare, by the holsteiner Cassini I sire Cumano and from Amira van de Acaciahoeve, by Clinton.

Athina Onassis de Miranda, who was uninjured after falling, is the only living descendant of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.