My trainer was there, she said his lower leg was snapped in half, I can’t imagine he DIDN’T have surgery. People (Jimmy T) said you could see the bones, but he tends to exaggerate (eyeroll)
Thank you all for your updates. I was hoping for the best, but it seems grave. Hugs, hopes, and best wishes for all of those involved in injuries this week. Our sport is a dangerous one - yet, we love it all the more. An interesting dynamic, to be sure.
Hardin is showing three horses at WEF this week so hasn’t disappeared. It’s horses. Things change.
Its a firm confirm that she is no longer with Hardin. They began parting ways unofficially late last year.
Ok disappeared is hyperbole but you know what I mean
Ouch! Poor guy! My neighbor broker her leg, they put a metal rod in. She’s still recovering and she broke it around Christmas time. Guess he’ll have an extended “vacation”. Hope he heals fast and gets back to his winning ways asap!
Too bad…I was hoping he would have a shot at WEGs this year. I am sure he is devastated.
I feel bad for Kent. He is a fun rider to watch. I hope he has a speedy recovery.
Any thoughts on how long it takes for a recovery from a full break? does he have a chance at WEG or is that completely out at this point?
Yikes! That looks like a nasty break.
It depends on how bad the break is and a person’s age on how fast it will heal. When I was 16 I broke the tibia while riding. It was a non displaced fracture and I was in a cast for 3 months.
I recently broke my pelvis in two places in October from a fall at a show. It has been 5 months and I still can’t ride. I have another month or maybe two before I can ride again. 
I can say I know how it feels not to be able to ride your horse or show.
I wouldn’t count him out for WEG yet. It depends how well he heals. A mid shaft tibia fracture with a rod to fix it would heal faster than a shattered kneecap and McLain made it back from that in time for the Olympics (or was it WEG?). Kent is young ish and fit and a real competitor. I’m sure he will give it his best to be there! Fingers crossed. He’s one of our favorites to watch. My daughter has a big crush on him and the way he talks my husband might too lol
1 Like
I was thinking the same thing about Mclain making it back in time for the Olympics after getting hurt around the same time of year, give or take a week or two. Obviously very different injuries, but the WEG happens a little later in the season, so that would give Kent a bit more time. Fingers crossed for him.
I don’t know off the top of my head what might happen as far as the selection process for the WEG.
I’ve been watching the Chronicle story for an update and am finding the lack of one to be worrying. I am sure he is receiving excellent medical care and wish him the quickest, most successful recovery possible.
2 Likes
Lol I know but it really is just the horse business. People change trainers all the time. It’s a shame it was one of Evergates Kent came off. Darn it!
…Grave? It’s an orthopedic injury. It sounds like a nasty fracture and it is a HUGE bummer to hear that he will be out for several months, but he will be just fine! Kent is probably one of the the toughest riders on the circuit. He won’t let this slow him down for long.
4 Likes
Yes, “grave” is an odd word for any injury that is not life threatening, perhaps not the best description.
This is just too bad. It was nice to see him doing so well in competition. He’s still youngish right? I hope he heals up quickly.
The older you get the longer it takes to heal up. 
Best wishes to Kent, from Colorado.
2 Likes
Many years ago I worked on a product that assisted bone regrowth after surgery (like 10 years ago now). This stuff wasn’t cheap, but it could regrow enough to knit a fracture in something like 10 days. Since then I know a lot of research has been done and there’s other similar options that work in a lot of different ways, be them chemical or physical to speed healing - I can only assume that Kent has access to the best of care given who he rides for and he may well be up and going a lot sooner than the rest of us mere mortals would be.
3 Likes
As an Olympic medallist/ probable member of the next team he presumably has access to the US team doctors, I know that the eventers do.
When a Pro rider/trainer gets hurt or seriously ill, there is an additional complication…their clients. They have been known to jump ship if recovery runs any length of time. Sounds harsh, but losing your rider for an extended period of time or questioning their fitness to return if the horse is having a good year or trying to qualify for something leads to very, very difficult decisions. Clients will usually stand behind their trainer and whatever temporary substitute is arranged…for awhile.but at some point might need to make other arrangements.
Nobody ever talks openly about this but its very much a concern for the injured rider whether elite level or average level trainer. Can push some to try to return earlier then ideal regardless of level.
Just something to think about and be prepared for which I’m sure Kent is.
2 Likes
It’s bone putty as my vet says. My cat had major ortho surgery to repair a 30% displacement in his leg. He also had to have a plate put in too. The putty helps the bone heal faster and correctly. I had to keep kitty in a closet without movement for 6 weeks. That was 4 years ago. Hopefully Kent gets better soon. I always say when he makes it to the jump off, he puts the after burners on and is uncatchable.
