Top New Zealand eventer Andrew Nicholson is out of the hospital and back home following a fall at the last fence on course at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park CIC*** (Great Britain) on Aug. 9. Nicholson’s mount, Cillnabradden Evo, was not injured. 

Nicholson released a statement noting how pleased he is to be back home (he’s based in Marlborough, Wiltshire, U.K.) and how much the outpouring of support from fans has meant to him and his family during his stay at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. 

“In terms of my injury, I realize I have been incredibly lucky,” he said. “My surgeon, Mr. Jeremy Reynolds, told me that the injury I sustained to my neck would have caused paralysis at the time of injury in 98 percent of cases. I was extremely fortunate this did not happen.

Nicholson said he underwent an eight-hour operation to repair fractures and stabilize his cervical spine.  

“This procedure in itself was not without risk, and I cannot thank enough the team of spinal surgeons at the John Radcliffe Hospital for what they have done,” he said.

“Obviously I won’t be riding again this season, as it will take some time to fully recover,” Nicholson’s statement continued. “Whilst I have to take things easy, I am up and about and fully mobile and look forward to getting back to full fitness in due course. Thank you in advance for allowing my family and I some privacy and time to rest and recover.”