Oliver Townend sustained a serious fall at fence 20, the entry into the Hollow, off of Ashdale Cruise Master. He was transported by helicopter immediately after the fall to the University of Kentucky Hospital Trauma Center. Ashdale Cruise Master was up and walking around after the fall.
Half an hour after the fall, the announcer said over the loudspeaker that Townend was conscious at the hospital.
Ashdale Cruise Master appeared to hang a leg at the log at the top of the combination coming into the Hollow, and then he fell down the bounce bank—two steps down—onto Townend. The pair was sitting in sixth after dressage on 46.2. The British superstar came into the competition with two horses hoping to win the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam.
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Two other riders fell in a similar place at the Hollow—Kristi Nunnink with R-Star and Tara Ziegler with Buckingham Place. Nunnink and Ziegler walked away from their falls.
We’ll post updates as they come in on Townend’s condition.
