Connor injured in Indiana accident

July 05, 2007

Horseman Rick Conner was seriously injured, breaking his pelvis and vetebrae in his back, in a training accident at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis on Tuesday. Conner was jogging a 2 year old when the horse spooked and became hard to control.

First veering to the outside of the track, the horse jumped the concrete barrier around the track and landed straddling it. The jog cart was still on the track. After a struggle, Conner was able to get the horse off of the barrier and back onto the track. However, there was a problem with the bridle, so he was unable to maintain control of the horse.

The horse began bearing to the inside, finally flipping over the hub rail above the tunnel for vehicle traffic. Both Conner and the horse plunged to the bottom. The distance of the fall is estimated to be at least 20 feet.

Immediately following the accident, Conner was unconscious. He was rushed by ambulance to Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis. His blood pressure was extremely low, limiting the amount of pain medication he could be administered.

A series of x-rays and other tests revealed Conner's pelvis was broken in four places and his right elbow was shattered. He also has two broken vertebrae in his back (one upper and one lower) and torn ligaments in his right foot. In addition, he sustained a severe shoulder injury and damage to disks in his neck.

The doctors were very concerned about his internal bleeding, as it was difficult to locate the source. The origin of the bleeding needed to be identified before any surgery on the broken pelvis can be performed. Further tests showed the bleeding was from his kidneys, which had endured a great amount of trauma in the fall.

Conner's blood pressure is returning to normal and he is now able to be given regular doses of pain medication. He remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit, as the doctors wait for him to regain some strength. Metal rods are being used to immobilize his legs and elbow until the eight-hour surgery is performed on Monday, July 9.

Connors is expected to be out of action for six to eight months. He has trained such notables as TG's Director p,3,1:52.4 ($247,047), Stunning Sahbra p,4,1:54.4 ($96,829) and GUR Stunning p,5,1:53.4 ($96,818).

Cards may be sent to his home address: Rick Conner, 829 W. 500 N., Shelbyville, IN 46176. (courtesy Hoosier Hoofprints)

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