Four-star event horse has further surgery to combat infection
Nicky Roncoroni’s four-star horse Trig Point has suffered further complications following a tooth extraction.
The 13-year-old by Ghareeb had an upper 11 tooth (the last molar up under the eye) taken out on 18 November 2014 as he had a slab fracture.
The trauma of the extraction caused some bleeding in the sinus. This then became infected, although the original tooth site was healing well and X-rays and a CT scan showed no direct correspondence from the tooth area to the sinuses.
Repeated courses of antibiotics followed and treatment including having a catheter inserted. It seemed like Trig Point was on the mend and he was back in jumping and galloping work, but then the infection reappeared. He underwent surgery and spent three and a half weeks in B&W Equine Hospital.
On 12 February, H&H reported that Trig Point was back home at Nicky’s Gloucestershire yard and on the mend.
However, now he has suffered a further re-infection and yesterday (Wednesday 4 March) had bilateral sinus flap surgery at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket.
Nicky reported on Facebook: “He has recovered from the anaesthetic, but the next few weeks will be critical with risks of infection of the surgical site and also from the bacterial superbug that has plagued him for so long.
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“As our surgeons said, they and we have done all we can, it is now over to him to fight with all the mightyness he has. Come on big man… We are rooting for you and missing you like hell.”
Trig Point was 14th at Pau CCI4* in 2012 and completed Badminton the following year with a cross-country jumping clear.
He has won two CIC3*s, at Ballindenisk in 2012 and Montelibretti in 2013, when he led the British Nations Cup team to victory. He incurred a minor leg injury at Montelibretti, so had last season off, but was back on form and aimed at Badminton in May before these problems.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.