Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse in the CIC3* at Carolina International, prior to falling later in the day with Cristano Z in the Advanced division. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Caroline Martin experienced all the highs and lows of eventing on Saturday at Carolina International in Raeford, North Carolina.
After four foot-perfect cross-country runs early in the day, finishing second in the CIC2* with Jump Jet and piloting all three of her CIC3* rides to finish in the top 20, she fell with Cristano Z at the first water complex on the Advanced course. A stud in the horse’s hoof made contact with Caroline’s foot as he scrambled to his feet.
“He tried really hard to miss me but stepped on my foot when he was getting up,” Caroline said. “I walked off the course and got into the ambulance on my own, but unfortunately I am going to be out of the tack for a bit recovering.”
Cristano Z, a 9-year-old Zangersheide (Chippendale Z X Nalan VH Schoterhof, by Omar) owned by Caroline, was uninjured in the fall.
Caroline said she is unsure as to how long she will be sidelined by the foot injury. Her coach, Leslie Law, will help keep her horses going in the meantime, as will her team at home, led by the dynamic duo of Andrew McConnon and Sally Robertson.
“I have a fantastic physical therapy team at home in Ocala and will be working really hard to get back to competing as soon as I can,” she said.
Caroline has a big spring season planned, including Kentucky CCI4*. She also received a Karen Stives Eventing Endowment Fund Grant to compete both Pebbly Maximus and Danger Mouse in England at Houghton Hall CICO3* on May 24-27 and the Bramham CCI3*-Under 25 on June 7-10.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent messages. The support means so much to me,” Caroline said. “I also have to thank everyone at Carolina, who were all extremely helpful, and Dr. Mark Hart for getting me in to see a great team of doctors.”
Please join the EN team in sending get-well-soon wishes to Caroline!
