A somber mood enveloped the backside at Turf Paradise in Phoenix on Wednesday morning. Despite bright, sunny skies and a warm, pleasant atmosphere, grief permeated the conversations of riders, agents and horsemen. The racing community there was coming to grips with one of the cruel realities of their sport.
One of their own had been struck down and the immediate reports were devastating. Anne Von Rosen, who has ridden on and off the past few summers at Canterbury Park, had been taken by ambulance from the track after a horrific accident in the first race that severed her spinal cord.
Von Rosen was on a quarter horse named Panchita Bonita in a 400-yard race and finished second. Just steps beyond the finish line, Panchita Bonita inexplicably went down _ some observers suspected heat stroke even though it wasn’t that warm _ and landed on Von Rosen, trapping her underneath.
Von Rosen was taken to John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix where she was diagnosed with a severed spinal cord and underwent surgery later that day. Immediate reports indicated a life and death situation.
The immediate news was sobering. “It gives you such a sick feeling to hear that,” said trainer Doug Oliver, a regular trainer and former training champion at Canterbury. “It’s really terrible news.”
The backside heard various reports but many of them were consistent. The news from John C. Lincoln indicated that Von Rosen was fortunate to be alive, would need another surgery, possibly Friday, simply to enable her to sit upright in a wheelchair. Immediate reports indicated she would not walk again.
Rider Scott Stevens, trainer Robertino Diodoro, jockey agent Chad Anderson in addition to Oliver responded with grim remarks when the subject was broached.
“Something like this doesn’t happen very often,” said Oliver, “but when it does it’s a hard blow.”
Von Rosen was having a successful meet. She was fourth in the standings with 54 wins behind Jorge Carreno, Stevens and Geovanni Franco.
Trainer Vic Hanson, who sponsored Von Rosen when she came to the U.S. from Germany a decade ago, was stunned. “That’s absolutely terrible news,” he said while en route to Remington Park. “I’m going to try to get there to see her.”
UPDATE from Minnesota HBPA: An account has been set up at Voyager Bank in Shakopee for Anne. There will also be a benefit fund raiser for her once the race meet begins. In the meantime, please keep her in your prayers!!
Voyager Bank
500 Marschall Rd
Shakopee, MN 55379
Checks can be sent “For the Benefit of Anne VonRosen”.
by Jim Wells
