Several event riders are on the injury list following falls at Gatcombe Horse Trials (2) (20-22 September), where a ramped up CIC** cross-country test produced only 37% clear rounds.
Dan Jocelyn was taken to Frenchay Hospital with a broken wrist and arm when his ride, Valemount, fell at fence 7, an upright rail to 2 solid corners on a curving right-hand line.
His partner, Tanya Cleverley, who had posted a picture of Dan being wheeled off the course on a stretcher, told H&H: “The horse tried to avoid him when it got up, but didn’t quite manage it.
“He’s got multiple fractures of his left wrist, which will be operated on today [Monday 23 September], a broken right arm and lacerations to his foot. He’s pretty fed up, but we’ve both been struck by all the kind words we’ve received from the eventing fraternity — it’s really touching.”
Gemma Tattersall also hit the deck when Briarlands Birdsong fell at the penultimate fence, which was rails over a ditch. She was taken to hospital with neck pain, but her X-rays and scans came back clear.
She tweeted: “I am ok! On my way home, a little sore but I will live to fight another day! Thank you so much for all your kind messages…”
There was a 45min hold-up at one point during the cross-country when several riders fell in quick succession, including Dominic Ruane, who also paid a visit to A&E this morning after his tumble from Birchcol Rock Idol.
He tweeted: “Sorry, tried to scrape myself off the floor quickly, but haven’t hit the deck that hard for a while!”
The class was won by Kitty King and Persimmon, who also triumphed here 12 months ago. This was Kitty’s comeback event, having been sidelined for 2 months with a broken wrist.
Read H&H’s full report from Gatcombe in Thursday’s magazine (26 September, 2013)
