Source:  various

Sapphire, one of the most successful jumping horses in the world, has been sidelined with an injury and will not compete for the rest of 2011.  It is reported that the 16 year old chestnut mare suffered a strained check ligament in her right front just days before she was to compete in the $500,000 FTI Finale Grand Prix on March 26 in Wellington, Florida.

McLain Ward has ridden Sapphire to two Olympic Games team gold medals ( 2004 and 2008) and a team silver at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. Ward is quoted as saying the mare will be given a year to recover.  

It is an injury which should heal completely and Sapphire is expected to be able to compete at top levels again in 2012.