Andrew Nicholson ‘walking unaided’ following neck surgery
Andrew Nicholson is “walking unaided” following surgery on his neck earlier this week (10 August).
The Kiwi rider suffered a neck injury during a heavy fall at the Festival of British Eventing on Sunday (9 August).
His family today (Friday, 14 August) said that Andrew is “making good progress” following the operation.
Andrew fell with Cillnabradden Evo in the CIC3* at the event at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire. The horse was unhurt in the fall.
The six-times Olympic event rider was taken to hospital in Swindon immediately. However, he was then transferred to the John Radcliffe in Oxfordshire for surgery.
“Andrew is indebted to Mr Jeremy Reynolds, Consultant Spinal Surgeon, and the rest of his surgical team at the John Radcliffe hospital, for their incredible skill in his treatment,” read a statement from his family today (Friday 14 August).
“He would also like to thank the nurses in the trauma unit for the fantastic care he has received.
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“Andrew is continuing to make good progress after surgery and is able to walk unaided.”
It continued that he is looking forward to returning home to continue his recovery, but there is no indication when exactly that will be.
“He would like to thank everyone for their messages of support and goodwill, which have been much appreciated,” added the statement.
He had surgery on Monday, which “went well” and he was “comfortable with a full range of movement”.
Andrew fell with Cillnabradden Evo in the CIC3* at the event at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire. The horse was unhurt in the fall.
The six-times Olympic event rider was taken to hospital in Swindon immediately. However, he was then transferred to the John Radcliffe in Oxfordshire for surgery.
Andrew has been competing Cillnabradden Evo, who is by Creeevagh Ferro Ex Siebe and out of Willow Garden, since March 2014.
With Andrew, the gelding won the advanced at Weston Park in April and most recently finished fifth in the open intermediate at Cholmondeley Castle.
The pair also won the Amlin Plus eventers’ challenge at Hickstead.
A spokesman for the family could not confirm how long his recovery was expected to be.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.