TIPPERARY show jumper Kevin Babington is reportedly doing well after a five-hour surgery yesterday (Tuesday) following a spinal cord injury sustained in a fall at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in America last Friday, August 30th.

The 51-year-old was attended to by medics at the scene and was airlifted by helicopter from the showgrounds to Stony Brook University Hospital. He was later transferred to New York University Langone Medical Center in Manhattan.

The Chronicle of the Horse reported today (Wednesday) that Kevin is stable following the surgery. He is breathing on his own and is no longer in a collar.

His wife, Diana, posted a heart breaking update on her social media while her husband was in surgery. “Today I sit in this hospital living the darkest hour of my life. Kevin is enduring a five hour surgery to stabilize the bones in his neck. He has suffered a complete injury to his cervical spine and today is to prevent him from living in a cervical collar. My hope for him is focused on quality of life and that there will be clinical trials to help him move forward.”

She urged her friends and the wider show jumping community to continue to donate in order to help her family move forward.

“The cold reality is we are desperately trying to raise money for medical and rehabilitation which I have been told can be staggering. It will be a long, challenging, journey ahead. I want to thank everyone for every prayer, kind word and thought and every dollar that has been donated so far. I remain hopeful that as the body heals his condition will improve. Please keep praying that as time passes we will receive a miracle,” Diana said.

Kevin is one of Ireland's top international horsemen and is one of the most popular and well regarded horsemen on the USA international circuit. He finished fourth individually at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games with Carling King.

A Facebook donate page has been set up to help with the medical costs. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.

We send Kevin and his family every good wish at this time.