Rider in critical condition after suspected heart attack on cross-country course
An event rider remains in a critical condition in hospital two weeks after suffering a suspected heart attack at Moreton Morrell Horse Trials (7 May).
Chantal Siddle was competing in a novice section at the Warwickshire event and had completed the dressage and showjumping phases.
She fell on the cross-country course at around 12pm and was resuscitated by event paramedics.
She was then anaesthetised before being flown by air ambulance to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.
“There were some paramedics and two doctors on the scene when we arrived at the scene,” said a spokesman from West Midlands Ambulance.
“It was a female in her 30s who was in cardiac arrest. CPR had already started when we got there with the paramedics and the doctor.
“They managed to resuscitate her. Due to the serious nature of her condition she was anaesthetised before being air lifted to hospital by Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.”
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Moreton Morrell Horse Trials event organiser Wayne Rodwell explained that Mrs Siddle fell between fences.
“We think it was a heart attack — we’re waiting for more information, ” he said.
A statement on the rider’s Facebook page on Tuesday (19 May) stated that she was still in hospital.
“Chantal remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. Thank you so much for all your continued messages of support,” the post read.
Chantal and her husband Mark run Siddle Equine Service, a livery yard in Shropshire which produces sport horses as well as providing training, veterinary care and facility hire.
Moreton Morrell was Chantal’s first novice of the season with Kodaline, having completed three BE100s this year.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.