A Suffolk Conservative parliamentary candidate’s sister is in intensive care after falling from a horse during a international eventing competition.

East Anglian Daily Times: MP Matthew Hancock rides at Newmarket. Picture: GREGG BROWNMP Matthew Hancock rides at Newmarket. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Emily Gilruth, the older sister of West Suffolk candidate Matt Hancock who has served as MP since 2010, fell from her horse at the Badminton Horse Trials on Saturday.

Mrs Gilruth was rushed by air ambulance to Bristol’s Southmead Hospital and is now said to be a stable condition.

Mr Hancock, who trained as a jockey and represented the home of horseracing at Newmarket as MP, is from Cheshire where his sister Mrs Gilruth lives.

A statement issued by British Eventing on behalf of the family on Monday said: “Emily’s family would like to thank all the many well-wishers for the lovely supportive messages that they have received.

“Emily suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) when falling from her horse at the third fence at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials on Saturday May 6.

“She was airlifted to Bristol’s Southmead hospital. The doctors are pleased with her progress. She has had a stable night and remains under sedation.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Badminton’s medical team, for their efficient and very caring service, also to the staff in the intensive care unit at Southmead.

“We ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this time.”

Fellow eventer Gemma Tattershall was at the Gloucestershire event and saw Mrs Gilruth fall.

The British Olympic team rider said on Facebook: “Very encouraging to hear, saw her fall and my blood ran cold. Keep fighting Emily...your eventing family are behind you.”

Mrs Gilruth is an experienced and talented rider, who grew up riding horses along with her brother Mr Hancock.

She has competed in British event competitions for 18 years and runs her own yard.

She first competed at Badminton last year and was riding one of her favourite horses Topwood Beau, who she has been competing on since 2008.

Only the top 80 riders in the eventing world qualify for the Badminton Horse Trials, which are held in the village of Badminton. The horse was unharmed during the incident.