Tim Stockdale breaks ribs in fall at home

Popular showjumper Tim Stockdale is in the wars again — after falling from a young horse at his yard in Roade, Northants, on Saturday (9 February).

Tim was left in agony after the fall, but was booked to give a masterclass during the gala evening at Bury Farm, Bucks that night.

Ever the professional, Tim was determined not to let the audience down. Fellow showjumper William Whitaker was drafted in to ride his stallion, while Tim taught from the ground.

After the performance, Tim’s wife Laura took him to hospital, where doctors diagnosed cracked ribs.

“I’ll be fine,” Tim wrote on his Facebook page. “Just one of those silly things. Big thank you to William Whitaker for helping at the demo tonight and to all my fantastic staff who were brilliant as always. Also to everyone who offered to drive lorry home,” he added.

Bury Farm director, Gareth Jenkins said Tim “went beyond the call of duty”.

He added: “We grabbed William Whitaker because he happened to be in the collecting ring in his riding clothes.

“He’d never sat on Tim’s young stallion before, so all credit to him.”

In October 2011, Tim broke his neck in two places in a fall from a young horse he had gone to try. He made a remarkable comeback, just missing out on Olympic selection.

For more on this story and a full report from the Bury Farm Moet and Chandon Masters, buy this week’s H&H — out on Thursday, 14 February

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