Former U.S. team rider Katherine Bateson-Chandler took an unlucky start of the 2023 season, having broken her foot in an accident in the barn on Valentine's Day.
The rider took to Facebook, "happy Valentine’s Day to me. My first broken bone because I just entered some horse shows!!! Will be back at it as soon as physically possible."
Bateson told Eurodressage that it was a fluke.
"I was taking a head collar off a horse in the stable and they spooked from something outside and smashed my foot," Katherine explained. "Wish it was a more exciting story!! I’m lucky to have a few people helping me out riding all the horses! It’s so frustrating though. Such bad timing!"
Katherine had scheduled to compete Jennifer Huber's 11-year old KWPN mare Haute Couture in this weekend's CDIO 3* Wellington, their first international since their debut CDI in March 2022.
"I’m so lucky I can still teach although I already miss riding so much I will try to be a good patient," she wrote on Facebook. "I did leak a little tear when Lonzie (Alcazar) was tacked up today and it wasn’t for me to ride but I’ll be back in no time. Thank you to Alex Garrett, Helga Meeuwsen, Ashley Holzer, and Ali Brock for stepping in to help."
U.S. Grand Prix rider Katherine Bateson-Chandler represented the U.S.A. at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington on Nartan. Her last international Grand Prix horse was Jane Clark's KWPN gelding Alcazar (by Contango x Ferro), which she last rode down the international centerline in Wellington in March 2022. The black is now 18 years old.
Fortunately, Katherine's foot is healing quickly as she is already moving around in a hock boot.
Related Links
Haute Couture Sold to U.S.A. as 2022 WEG Team Hopeful for Katherine Bateson-Chandler
Alonzo, New Ride for Katherine Bateson-Chandler
Katherine Bateson-Chandler Retires WEG mount Nartan