A Horseman’s Nightmare
September 14, 2009
Ronnie and Vickie Kent lost 2009 Select showmanship world champion Wonit Ona RV Version in a tragic trailer accident.
Wonit Ona RV Version and Vickie Kent at the 2009 Bayer Select World Championship Show (Larri Jo Starkey, Journal photo)
“The hitch broke in two,” Vickie said quietly. Anyone who has hauled horses down the road can envision the nightmare of what happened next.
It was not long after midnight Saturday, September 12, 2009. Ronnie and Vickie Kent of Graceville, Florida, were on Interstate 20 about 40 miles outside of Midland/Odessa, Texas, trying to make El Paso to layover. Seasoned haulers, they had slept part of Friday and were well-rested.
Their gelding, Wonit Ona RV Version, and mare, Ill Be RV Radical, were in the bumper-pull trailer behind the motor coach. The Kents were headed to show in Santa Barbara, California, having taken a short break after a successful Bayer Select World Championship Show the week before – Vickie and “Version” won the Select showmanship world championship, and Ronnie and “BeBe” had won the Select trail title.
Vickie was driving slower through a work area when she saw the trailer suddenly swing around into the median and roll. There was nothing she could do but cry out. The hitch had snapped like a pencil.
Emergency crews were soon on the scene and did their best to help the horses with what equipment they had. They managed to get a rope around Version and pulled him out. They were then able to get the trailer upright and BeBe stumbled out, with severe lacerations on her legs. But Version died shortly after.
“He never quit trying, right up to the end,” Vickie said, her voice cracking. “He was such a big-hearted horse; just gave all he had. He was truly a great horse.”
A state trooper offered his two-horse trailer and hauled BeBe to Brock Veterinary Clinic in Lamesa, Texas, about 45 miles north of the accident site, where Kacey Tweeten, D.V.M. took over.
“They did a great job of taking care of her and getting her stitched up and bandaged,” said Robin Frid, the Kents’ trainer.
Robin arrived in Lamesa at 7:30 a.m. after driving through the night; the Kents had called just after the accident.
“I’m sure we can credit them with saving her. They did a phenomenal job,” Robin said.
Tweeten recommended sending BeBe to Cliff Honnas, D.V.M., in Bryan, Texas.
“Their biggest concern was getting her to a specialist,” Robin said. “I said, ‘If you tell me she can make the trip, we’ll get her there.’”
He was on the road with BeBe by 9:30 a.m.
According to Robin, BeBe didn’t balk to get on a trailer again, although she moved slowly and paused to look at the doorway. Through the entire treatment process in Lamesa and Bryan, she remained calm.
“She loves being pampered on, brushing her, combing her tail,” Robin said. “And it was the same when they were working on her. She didn’t move at all. She was a perfect young lady, never fussed, considering the pain she had to be in.”
As of September 14, BeBe is hanging on.
“From what they can tell so far, there is no (internal) traumatic injury,” Robin said. “She does have lacerations on her, one in particular on her left hind leg that they are really worried about infection possibly setting in. And that’s kind of where they are right now.”
The Kents are staying in College Station, Texas, until BeBe is in the clear. Ronnie has been hand-walking her to graze. The Kents’ home-raised horses are family to them – BeBe and Version are both out of Vickie’s former show mare, Ill Be Dun Won It. Among the many showing successes they’ve had with both horses include Vickie and Version winning the 2008 Featherlite all-around amateur high-point award.
“I would like to thank everybody for their prayers and concerns,” Vickie said. “We’ve gotten tons of e-mails and calls. We’re both overwhelmed. It was a nightmare; I can’t quit thinking about it.”
She paused for a moment.
“I don’t think anyone knew just what a wonderful horse (Version) was. He always gave 100 percent, no matter what it was. He covered up a lot of my mistakes.
“We won’t give up,” she said. “Somehow, we’ll keep going. It won’t be the same. You won’t lose us.”
Christine Hamilton
Editor
American Quarter Horse Journal
The American Quarter Horse Journal is your one-stop source for everything about the Quarter Horse. Don’t miss a single issue, subscribe now.
Comments
26 Comments on “A Horseman’s Nightmare”
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September 14th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Please… when you get a moment go to http://www.dangeroustrailers.org.
The questions must be asked…why did the hitch fail?
Who made the hitch?
Who installed the hitch?
Do we have a defective hitch that should be recalled?
NO FEDERAL STANDARDS ARE IN PLACE FOR ANY TRAILER HITCH.
This type of accident can happen to anyone else!!! What if the trailer hit another vehicle?
Since 1975 over 15,100 lives lost… Since 1988 over 435,000 injured and Since 1988 over 732,002 trucks, trailers, vehicles have been destroyed.
and we do nothing… it is because of the powerful Utility trailer industry including Carry On Trailers that have even tried to stop the “Reflector Tape law in VA” because it cost 8 that is right Eight Dollars to comply.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Just one more thought…. if we do have a trailer hitch that might be defective… PLEASE NOTE… NO FEDERAL STANDARDS ARE IN PLACE FOR ANY TRAILER HITCH. New Zeland is addressing this issue… but not us…
If we had a defective baby crib it would be all over the press….but in the case at hand … nothing happens..
Is a horse any less important then a child?
We need to address who made the hitch….and if any more horse trailers are being towed by the same hitch… we need to act…
September 14th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Here is another broken hitch article that you ran!!!
http://dangeroustrailers.blogspot.com/2009/02/broken-hitch-almost-sends-trailer.html
September 15th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
On behalf of Jeffers, I just wanted to send out our sympathy to the Kents. We have featured their horses, particularly Version, in our catalog for years. They are considered part of the family and there is not one employee here that is not sadened by this horrible accident. I remember one of our last photo shoots at the Kent barn…strolling down the isle, checking out a couple of babies that were up from the pasture and making my way to the grooming rack. Version standing as square as he is in his show pictures above, calm and cool despite the hustle and bustle about. The couple of times that I met him, he was on his best behavior. Ronnie and Vickie…we are very sorry for your loss and pray for consolement and a speedy recover for BeBe.
September 15th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
My heart goes out to the Kents on their tragedy. It brings back to mind a tragedy that occured here in Oklahoma when a barge hit a bridge span in Eastern Oklahoma. A horse trailer with two horses in it fell over the gap left by the bridge collapse. Both people in the pickup and the horses in the trailer died in the river. I have never forgotten the scene as shown on TV when they fished that trailer out of the river.
All this just goes to show that one takes a leap of Faith when one goes out on the road with their horses. This was always a concern for me when I took mine out on the road. Hope their brave mare contiues in her recovery. It takes a miracle and a long time.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
My heart goes out to the Kents. Everytime I hook onto my trailer, I pray nothing happens to us going down the road. My horses are my family and I can’t imagine what you guys are going thru. My thoughs and prayers are with you and BeBe for her speedy recovery.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
My heart felt sorrow goes out to the Kents. I just watched both their winning runs on the AQHA Web Site. I followed on Versions story after last year when he coliced at the world. Then to go on and win it. I was so proud of both of them, he and Vicki. Then I saw that Ronnie won the Trail with BeBe. WOW again. And now to have to endure such a tragedy. My tears flow for you both, and now we can only pray that BeBe makes a full recovery. I am so sorry for your loss Vicki. Be strong my friend.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I pray for all of your family and all involved with this wonderful horse you lost.We don’t get over them,we just go on.We have to.Accidents happen in all kinds of vehicles. I pulled a bumper pull trailer with my motor home. It bothered me because all I could see was the window in the front. Coming from south Tx. South of Ft. Worth people were waving at me. I felt and saw nothing,but I made the next exit to look. As I walked back to the trailer,I saw the left front wheel was gone ! I don’t know when it came off. Didn’t make a bobble. A good thing it was the front. It was held up by the rear wheel and the hitch. I checked everything out and since I was driving for who knows how long. ( I shudder at the thought of it flying through someone’s windshield.)Must have gone in the median.I went on in to Rendon and stalled my mare. I barrel raced there. The kind man that ran the concession stand ran around and found me a wheel and tire( this was Sunday).Thank God for horse friends. I never was comfortable with pulling with a motor home,but I sure don’t critize anyone that does..I now pull a gooseneck with a one ton dually.I can see my mare all the time. For me it is good. Who really knows when any of the things we use will come apart. I know we are some of the safest people on the road and in the arena. We check our equiptment all the time.It just happens sometimes, I pray your mare comes through to her former self.God bless ya’ll.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
God Bless and keep the Kent family and BeBe… what a horrid thing to have happen. He was a beautiful boy and I always enjoyed watching him show. I know he will be missed and honored, and he is in that special pasture up in heaven. I’m at a loss for words, so will just keep you all in my prayers.
September 16th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I am heartbroken for Vicki and Ronnie. They have both been such an encouragement and inspiration to me in the years that I’ve been fortunate to know and show with them. I was so proud of both of them at the Select World this year, and saw the tears that flowed as each was named World Champion. You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the weeks and months ahead.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I am so sorry for Vickie and Ronnie, what a horrible, terrible tragedy. No one deserves the horror of seeing their trailer separate and to watch one of their beloved animals die, especially not this wonderful couple. I’ve enjoyed seeing them at the shows and hope they will find the strength to come back and enjoy horseshowing once again.
September 17th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
So sorry, prayers for healing & peace
September 17th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
My heart goes out to you both in this tragic time. We’re not certain if God entrusts us to our horses, or our horses to us. We’re just grateful for the time we had. God bless you both and just know you’re in my thoughts and prayers
September 17th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
DEAR RONNIE AND VICKIE, MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO GO THROUGH HARDSHIPS TOO WITH HORSES. AS RONNIE MIGHT REMEMBER WHEN I LIVED IN PANAMA CITY, FL I HAD A BARN FIRE AND LOST 4 HORSES AND HAD ONE MARE RUN THRU A BURNING WALL OF FIRE THAT SUFFERED GREAT INJUREIES. SHE WAS PREGANT AT THE TIME. SHE WAS SENT TO AUBURN, LONG STORY SHORT SHE SURVIVED AND SO DID THE BABY. THAT HAPPENED IN 1995 AND I STILL HAVE THE MARE, SHE IS SCARRED, BUT SHE IS NOW 36 YEARS OLD AND SHE KEEPS FIGHTING. RONNIE WAS SO KIND TO ME AT THAT TIME. AND VICKIE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO NICE. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOST AND PRAY FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR BEBE, PRAYERS DO WORK. HANG IN THERE. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH, YOU HAVE BEEN AN INSPRITIONAL TO ME , AND WERE ALWAYS THERE TO HELP ME. THANKS AGAIN.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Writing again after reading these comments and my previous one. I still think of what I have read and remembered something I forgot to say. One time my husband and I took a horse to the Chicago area for someone. On the road I noticed sparks coming from the side of the trailer. We pulled over and saw that one of the tires had fallen apart. A young semi-driver pulled over put out flares and changed our tire for us. The horse was not hurt and there was no accident for which am grateful. We had done a trailer check before we left. However this just goes to show anything can happen on the road. We did get the horse safely installed in her new home.
I do pray that God will comfort the Kents and provide his loving care for Bebe. She has a long road to revcovery. Take it one day at a time.
September 18th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
I can only begin to imagine what a horrible ordeal that must have been for the Kents… I recently had a horse go through colic surgery and its amazing to me how much fight they have in them to stay alive. I also learned through that experience how much these animals truley are family. In saying that, we want the best for our “family members” and the Kents have that in Dr. Hannas. I have used him for many years and wouldn’t take my horses to any other vet. I was just at his clinic a few days ago and saw BeBe surrounded by so many of his caring staff- they treat every animal as if it were one of their own! My prayers go out to the Kent family, but I know God has them in the best place they can be- at Dr. Hannas’! Good luck with BeBe…
September 21st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Very sorry….did they have a B&W Hitch? If not, I suggest the Kents get one for future use. So sorry for what happened. My prayers are with ya’all.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are truly sorry for your loss.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Ronnie and Vickie.
Sorry to hear about your lost. My heart goes out to you both.I am Debbie Jones’s sister.We show with you all in Fla. Ronnie was good to my sister. After her barn burn. My prayers go out to you both. I will keep BeBe in my prayers. God Bless you.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Words are not enough. what can we say but hugs to you both. here in Canada, we are required to have ‘tow’ chains that run from the trailer to the towing vehicle. I don’t know if you do in the States. we always had good heavy chain and would X (cross) them before attaching to the truck. if the trailer were to become unhitched in any way, it would assist in keeping the tongue off the road and also slow down the trailer breaking free. I imagine it could still break the chains depending on the circumstances but we always made sure our chains were good and heavy. I hauled through the upper States and to the Congress (years ago) through your mountains and in the rain and never had any problems, the safety of our horses always utmost in our minds. It is sad enough to lose a four legged friend naturaly, but though an accident is even worse. we cannot do enough to keep them safe.
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:15 am
lot about you
October 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
We were at the Select and show in halter, winning the World Title last year and earning 3rd this year with a stud colt we have had since he was five months old. We use to ride pleasure and I keep up with the all around events. Nothing will ever replace your loss but your love of these wonderful animals will keep you strong. The memories are yours forever and with God you will have more to come. I have TY now because of the loss of my previous horse Mighty Tru Skip aka Kenny. Fred told me that God wanted Kenny to go and that he would send me another little fella. He did, Touch My Imagination (TY), and I love him very much but I still love Kenny too. You will always feel the same way too and in the future the new horse will do something that is exactly like what Version did and you will smile and know Version in inside there somewhere. In that horse’s heart and in yours.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Vickie and I would like to thank everyone for all there concern and there prayers. It is so wonderful to have so many friends with love in there hearts and be so concern for our lose. Version will always be miss, but we will have to keep going that is what Version would want us to do. Be Be had another good day Dr.Honnas says keep praying. We love you all, horse friends are the best.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Vickie and Ronnie are in our prayers as we know you never get over the loss of a great horse. We are so happy to hear that BeBe is slowly recovering and look forward to seeing her in the show ring again with her partners.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I am so sad for your great loss.
I also haul with an RV…can you PLEASE explain what you mean by the hitch broke in half? The hitch under the RV? The hitch from the ball back? The ball came off??? What broke and what caused the break? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
October 19th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
[...] Fresh from the Bayer Select World Championship Show, Ronnie and Vickie Kent were hauling their homebred horses to Santa Barbara when the accident happened. (Read the story here.) [...]