"A year of unbelievable highs and unimaginable lows" for the Rio bronze medallist and USEF Equestrian of the Year in 2016
Phillip Dutton’s step daughter, 23 year old Lee Lee, is making “small but monumental steps forward in her recovery” after a fall from her horse just before Christmas
Phillip, who represented Australia in three Olympics and four World Championships before changing nationality to ride for the USA, and his wife Evie posted a statement on their website on January 14th advising
“... our daughter Lee Lee had a riding accident just before Christmas. Lee Lee was home from the University of Pennsylvania where she is studying to get her Masters in Social Work and was doing canter sets out on our exercise track on an unseasonably warm December day. The horse she was riding bucked and somehow slipped over, and they both went down. The horse got up immediately and was not hurt; however, he landed on Lee Lee. She was wearing a helmet, as she does for every ride”
“Lee Lee was not alone and an ambulance was called within seconds of the fall. Once the ambulance arrived the EMT immediately called for the medivac, and she was airlifted to Christiana Care Hospital in Delaware. After undergoing surgery to relieve swelling in her brain, Lee Lee has been in the Intensive Care Unit under the watchful eyes of the incredible trauma team at Christiana Care. Lee Lee continues to make small but monumental steps forward in her recovery. It will be a long journey to a full recovery but we are encouraged by her strength, determination and will to overcome this horrible accident”
In order to be with family at this time, Phillip has placed his competition plans on hold but hopes to be back on the circuit in February or March.
“2016 was a year of unbelievable highs and unimaginable lows. We are so grateful for everyone’s love and support and request your continued understanding for our privacy as we attend to our most precious Lee Lee”
