Scots rider injured at horse trials

A SCOTTISH rider was discharged from hospital yesterday following a fall at the prestigious Burghley Horse Trials.

Eventer Nicola Malcolm took a dramatic tumble from her grey gelding McFly during the cross-country phase of the four-star event.

Competition stopped for around an hour yesterday afternoon when the 22-year-old, from Renfrewshire, was unseated at the Birch Hedge.

Ms Malcolm was given the all-clear yesterday after undergoing scans on a head injury.

She is believed to have come unstuck after her mount struck the 19th fence with its back legs.

Course designer Mark Phillips said: "My information is that the horse stood off a little too far, hit the fence with its hind legs and the impact catapulted Nicola into the air."

Ms Malcolm, who was treated at the scene in Lincolnshire, was later airlifted to a hospital in Coventry. Her horse was not injured.