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In our annual Yearbook Issue Chronicle reporter Martha Drum caught up with Irish Olympian Kevin Babington and spoke with him about the community’s reaction to his life-changing accident on August 30. That’s the day he fell from his grand prix mount Shorapur at the Hampton Classic (New York) and suffered a spinal cord injury at the C3-C4 level.

News of Babington’s injury spread quickly through the show jumping community, and friends immediately set to work rallying support. Sissy Wickes created a Facebook fundraiser, which raised more than half a million dollars. Kathy Gilbert established a GoFundMe account that has collected more than $140,000 so far. A group of his fellow professionals established the Kevin Babington Foundation with the goal of generating funding for Babington on an ongoing basis, and support has come in from around the world, with groups auctioning off horses and stud fees, among other things, with the proceeds going toward Babington’s recovery.

In the Chronicle’s fourth episode of the podcast, Babington opens up about his day-to-day life, his plans for the future, and much more. Click below to listen or search The Chronicle of the Horse wherever you get your podcasts.

For more conversations about hot topics in the equestrian world visit coth.com where you’ll find articles, blogs, a community bulletin board and much more. The Chronicle of the Horse, founded in 1937, is the leader in sport horse news through our two magazines, website and podcast. We’re also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @chronofhorse.