Ryan Wood injured competing in the US

Wendy Cohen, Tuesday, 19 February 2008

Popular elite eventing rider and EFA NSW member, Ryan Wood, has been badly injured in a fall while competing at the Ocala Horse Trials in the USA. From a post on The Chronicles of the Horse forum, "He had a minor rotational fall at the water jump, and was thrown clear of the horse, landing in the water relatively unscathed, but when the horse scrambled to its feet, it stepped on Ryan's face and did some significant damage. He will most likely have to have plastic surgery to repair his nose, eye socket, and jaw. But he was conscious and talking to the EMTs when they took him off the course to the hospital. He had been in great spirits all day long prior to this fall (which occurred at the end of the day), and was a delight to have in the showjump arena on his multiple rides."

Ryan did not lose consciousness and that although his facial injuries are very severe they are not considered life threatening. He has a punctured lung but is not in immediate danger. He will be re-assessed today and initial surgery performed. He will need re-constructive surgery on his face.

His mother Joan will leave Sydney today due to the generousity of one of our members. She will be with Ryan on Wednesday Sydney time.

Claudia Graham and Dom Shrand were with Ryan yesterday and will keep us all in touch with the situation today.