Georgina Bloomberg, fractures spine after falling from horse

The 27-year-old billionaire heiress, Georgina Bloomberg suffered a concussion and fractured her spine when she tumbled from her mount Friday (05/11) evening at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, according to her equestrian spokesman, Kenneth Kraus.

“Despite the injury, she is resting comfortably,” Kraus said. “She's going to have a full medical evaluation. We'll know more then.”

Bloomberg, considered one of USA's top show jumpers, is no stranger to riding injuries: She has previously broken her back, her collarbone, two wrists and an ankle, and has suffered at least three concussions.

She was dressed as a witch for the high-speed “Gambler's Choice” event – the highlight of the show, in which costumed riders attempt as many jumps as possible in 50 seconds – when her saddle came loose and slid left as her horse Radio City neared a jump.

“As she approached the fence, you could kind of tell that she was getting a little unbalanced,” said Natalyn Giverson of Syracuse, who was sitting right in front of the fateful hurdle. “I didn't think it looked like something she couldn't recover from; I was somewhat surprised that she actually fell.”

Bloomberg was knocked out when she hit the floor of the indoor arena and lay motionless as EMTs rushed to her side.

“I figured at the time that she was just keeping still as a precaution, since the fall hadn't looked too serious,” Giverson said.

The audience, which went quiet when Bloomberg fell, gave her a cheer when she got up and limped away, looking “shaken but okay,” Giverson said.

Krause said Bloomberg didn't seek medical attention until she woke up in pain on Saturday.

Mayor Bloomberg attended the New York City Marathon ceremonies as usual. “The mayor, of course, is very concerned, like any father would be,” said mayoral spokesman Stu Loeser.