Injured girl conscious

Press, 18 May 1982, Page 2

Injured girl conscious

PA Auckland The Otapiri girl injured in the New Zealand Pony Club team championships at Howick on Saturday, has come out of a coma at Auckland Hospital. Riding for the Southland- ’ Otago side, Linda Hammond, aged 16, was the fifth rider to fall at jump 20 during the cross-country event. Her mount, Shamus, rolled on top .of her.

The team hostess, Mrs Dawn Carter, of Papakura, yesterday said the weather was to blame for the condition of the course.

“It was a thinking course, but the rain had just turned jump 20 into a mudslide,” she said. “Linda rode the jump perfectly well, but the horse simply could not get footing."

Miss Hammond was taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital, but was taken to Auckland Hospital's intensive care ward when she became comatose on Saturday night. “She is pretty confused, but things are looking brighter today,” said Mrs Carter. After Miss Hammond’s fall, spectators stood in front of the jump preventing any more riders, from going through. Course officials then agreed to lower the height of the jump. The president of the championships committee, Mr John hitching, of Howick, said nothing was wrong with the course, but some of the horses were unfit and the riders were taking the jump too quickly. Competition results, p 27.