Lexington, KY ­– Darren Chiacchia of Springville, NY and Ocala, FL suffered a serious fall today, Saturday March 15, 2008, at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, FL.

Chiacchia was riding Baron Verdi at the Preliminary level ­– the pair fell at the fifth cross country fence. Chiacchia was airlifted to Tallahassee Medical Center where he remains in critical condition. Baron Verdi was uninjured in the fall.

“We keep Darren and his friends and family in our thoughts and prayers,” said USEF President David O’Connor who is at the competition.

The USEF will continue to convey information as it becomes available from the hospital.

ENDS

Please contact USEF High Performance Communications Manager, Joanie Morris with questions at: [email protected].