Rider in hospital after fall at A&P show

A rider injured while showjumping at the Maniototo A&P Show in Ranfurly yesterday was in a serious condition in Dunedin Hospital intensive care unit last night.

Zara Crutchley, a horse steward at the show, was competing in a jumping class in the Maniototo Domain about 2pm when her horse Just Dusty ''seemed to spook and ploughed straight through a jump'', a spectator said. Ms Crutchley was thrown off and landed on the grass.

St John ambulance officers, including her mother Glenis Crutchley, Maniototo station manager, were already on site and treated her at the scene before she was transported by ambulance to the Maniototo Hospital. From there, Ms Crutchley was flown to Dunedin Hospital in the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter.

During his speech at the opening of the show, Maniototo A&P Association president Chris Steele said his thoughts were with the Crutchley family and he hoped for a speedy recovery for Ms Crutchley.