Shane Rose in intensive care following cross-country accident

Australian Olympic eventer Shane Rose (pictured here with Virgil at the Tokyo Olympics) is in intensive care after undergoing surgery. — Australia's Shane Rose riding Virgil competes in the equestrian's eventing team and individual cross country during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Sea Forest Cross Country Course in Tokyo on August 1, 2021. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) (Photo by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images)

(Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Australian Olympic eventer Shane Rose has undergone surgery for a broken femur and pelvis following a cross-country schooling accident.

Shane, who won the Land Rover Horse Show of the Year CCI4*-S with 19-year-old Virgil in New Zealand last weekend, was injured in the fall yesterday (14 March).

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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

Olympic eventer in intensive care following cross-country schooling accident

“As the saying goes peacock one day, feather duster the next. After a fantastic week in New Zealand where Shane and Virgil secured their Olympic qualifications, this week Shane was brought back down to earth literally,” read a statement from Shane’s team.

“During a cross-country schooling session yesterday Shane suffered a nasty fall. Thankfully his horse was not injured.”

The spokesman said Shane was in the intensive care unit with a “badly broken femur and a fractured pelvis and ribs”.

“He also suffered a heavy concussion. Shane had surgery this morning to stabilise the femur and pelvis,” he said, adding that Shane is in “good hands with a great medical team and support network”.

“While the timing is unfortunate we are hopeful there is adequate time for him to recover and still be able to continue his preparation schedule for the Paris Olympic Games.

“We are so thankful to the fantastic team at home who have stepped up in Shane’s absence to ensure it was business as usual at Bimbadeen Park. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

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