ABLE to joke about the incident yesterday (Friday) saying she had a ‘trout pout’, Heidi Hamilton suffered damage to her mouth and teeth at last week’s Ballindenisk International Horse Trials when trying to release one of her horses who was caught up in a haynet in her lorry.

“He got me with a front leg and I found myself at the bottom of the ramp with my two front teeth and lots of blood in my hand,” said the Co Wicklow rider. “I have to say the eventing community is one large, extended family as everyone rallied around to help me – I was really overwhelmed with the support.

“While some looked after my horses, Ailbhe Fell (married to event director Peter Fell), brought me to Cork hospital where, having been alerted in advance, a team from the maxfac (oral and maxillofacial) unit were on hand in A&E and they got my front teeth back in. Unfortunately, as I really don’t like going to the dentist, I will need work done on my bottom teeth.

“I haven’t been allowed ride this week – although I am able to muck out and lunge my horses – so Noel Dunne has been in to ride The Sequel to keep him fit. He has been selected for the seven-year-old class (CCI3*-L) at Le Lion and I really want to get there with him.”

Olympian Joseph Murphy was also in the wars at the venue.

The Co Down-based rider suffered an injury when falling from Barberstown Castle Rehy in the CCI4*-L. The Irish Field was not able to contact Murphy for an update before going to press.