IRISH international event rider Jonty Evans has regained consciousness and is responding well at Connolly Hospital in Dublin, his family have revealed today (Friday).

The statement read: “We are pleased to report that over the past 10 days Jonty’s condition has continued to slowly improve. Jonty has now regained consciousness and is beginning to interact positively with the medical team and his family.

“Jonty is having physiotherapy and rehabilitation sessions, which will continue for the foreseeable future as he regains strength and his head injury continues to improve. Due to the need for Jonty to remain in a quiet and calm environment for a significant period of time, and to continue his recovery as privately as possible, the medical team have advised the family to keep visitors strictly to a minimum.”

Jonty’s family thank everybody for their kind thoughts, continued support and best wishes and asked the public to respect the hospital request that no calls regarding an update should be made directly to the Connolly Hospital. It is not expected that a further update will be provided during the next few weeks, unless there is a significant change in Jonty’s condition.

Evans suffered a serious brain injury in a fall from Cooley Rorkes Drift in the CIC3* at the Tattersalls International Horse Trials on June 3rd last and spent close to six weeks unconscious, first at Beaumont Hospital and later Connolly Hospital Dublin.

It was announced this week on ‘Art's Amazing Family’ Facebook page that Cooley Rorkes Drift (Art), who was purchased for £500,000 through a crowd funding campaign this time last year, will move to Andrew Downes’ yard until Evans fully recovers.

British rider Andrew Downes is based is Staffordshire and has competed up to three-star level internationally. However, Art will not be competed by Downes. According to a statement on Facebook, Art is there to get back into work and get fit.

MORE ON THIS IN TOMORROW’S THE IRISH FIELD