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Mary King recovering from cross-country fall at Salperton Horse Trials


  • 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

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