Eventer Emily King is recovering from a fractured rib and torn lung sustained in a fall at Thoresby Park earlier this month. She has resumed competition, placing strongly in dressage at Burnham Market last week while aiming for the Mars Badminton Horse Trials. Her mother, Mary King, confirmed the injuries and detailed her recent progress.
Emily King suffered a rib fracture and a small tear in her lung during a showjumping warm-up mishap at the Eventing Spring Carnival CCI4*-S at Thoresby Park on April 3-5. She had completed dressage with Valmy Biats but could not continue. On April 8, King described the incident as a “mischievous little curveball,” adding, “I made an unscheduled exit in the showjumping warm-up – leaving a few things not quite where they ought to be.” Her partner, Sam Ecroyd, took over riding her horses during her recovery, which her mother Mary confirmed involved support from the British Equestrian World Class programme and a specialist visit that cleared her to compete two weeks later, aided by painkillers and strapping. At Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market on April 17, King rode Valmy Biats in the CCI4*-S and Jackpot in the CCI3*-S, achieving first and third places respectively after dressage. Mary King noted a double clear round with Jackpot but a run-out early on the cross-country with Valmy Biats, which she used as schooling ahead of Badminton. Ecroyd secured three top-10 finishes, including with King Louis (Dobby), a horse Mary had previously developed. King now has her sights set on the Mars Badminton Horse Trials as her next major event.
