Denis Glaccum, organizer of the popular Plantation Field Horse Trials in Unionville, Pa., is recovering at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia after undergoing a seven-hour heart surgery on Jan. 3.

Glaccum, 71, underwent the scheduled operation to repair an aortic aneurysm. “The heart operation was a huge success. He had the best doctor in the area performing the surgery. He’s receiving the absolute best of care. Everybody that knows Denis knows that he’s a fighter,” said his wife, Bambi.

Denis, a member of the U.S. Eventing Assocation Hall Of Fame, is expected to make a full recovery, but Bambi is unsure when he’ll be released from the hospital.