LEXINGTON, Ky.--Olympian Liz Halliday underwent surgery after sustaining a head injury in a cross-country fall during the American Eventing Championships won by Will Coleman on Diabolo on Thursday, Aug, 29.
Will Coleman on Diabolo (File photo by Allen MacMillan fom last April)
Boyd Martin on Commando 3 was second and Phillip Dutton on Possante was third in the Championship..
Martin on Tseterleg TSF was leading going into the stadium jumping, but three rails down dropped him to sixth place..
Coleman had .4 time penalties to finished on a final score of 36.0, tied with Martin on Commando 3, but Coleman was closest to the optimum time on cross-country, so the tie was broken in his favor.
Dutton finished third on a score of 40.6, adding 1.2 time penalties in stadium jumping.
Liz was riding the 9-year-old gelding Shanroe Cooley in the advanced final when she fell at fence 21b, the Shallows water complex.
A statement from US Eventing said that Liz was taken to the University of Kentucky medical center, where “they are providing care and treatment.”
“SHANROE COOLEY, owned by The Ocala Horse Properties LLC, was assessed by the veterinary team on-site and was uninjured in the fall,” said the statement, adding that the USEA and organizers are sending Liz their best wishes.
A later update from Halliday's family and friends, posted to her social media, said that Liz had sustained a head injury and underwent surgery to relieve the pressure from the swelling on her brain.
“Her team of doctors felt the surgery went exceptionally well. Liz is in stable condition and currently resting comfortably,” said the update.
“We appreciate all the love and support from everyone reaching out and checking in at this time, and we know it also means the world to Liz.
“Thank you to the onsite team and everyone who jumped into action to help at the event, along with Liz’s remarkable team for ensuring the horses are well taken care of while Liz is recovering.
“Thank you also to the doctors and nurses at the hospital for providing the best possible care.
“We will do our best to provide updates as we have them. Please keep sending positive thoughts and prayers.”
Halliday was the highest placed U.S. competitor at the Paris Olympics last month on Cooley Nutcracker.
Both Coleman with Diabolo and Martin with Commando 3 said the Eventing Championship was a prep for the Maryland Five Star.
