Mary King was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital after suffering a heavy fall from Kings Temptress at Salperton Horse Trials on Saturday (22 June).
The home-bred 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI**** winner was nearing the end of Mike Etherington-Smith’s 20-fence intermediate course when she rotated over a roll top at the Ian Coley Sporting Spreads, fence 19.
Mary was knocked unconscious, although she had come round before she was transferred to hospital with a suspected broken nose and wrist.
Mary’s daughter Emily tweeted later: “Luckily Mum’s all in one piece — she didn’t break anything… Just knocked out for a while and heavy bruising.”
The course was held for 10min while medics attended to the rider who had been contesting an open intermediate section.
Derek Baden’s 13-year-old Kings Temptress was reported to be uninjured. The accident occurred during the mare’s first outing since being eliminated at Badminton for jumping the wrong side of a flag.
[Update: Monday 24 June]
Mary was discharged from hospital on Saturday with mild concussion and bruising.
Mary told H&H: “I feel fine and was back at Salperton on Sunday to groom for Emily. But I won’t be riding Imperial Cavalier at Aachen due to a bit of concussion.”
- Full report from Salperton Horse Trials in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine
