Anderson girl hurt in horse rollover, returns to rodeo

Determined:
Rodeo drill team rider Corey Loomis returns to rodeo riding days after her horse, Sage, rolled over her during a practice session.

June 12th at approximately 8 p.m., Corey Loomis of Anderson was training for an upcoming performance with the Redding Junior Rodeo Association drill team.

Corey's horse, Sage, stumbled in the arena and Corey was catapulted over the horse's head with the horse then rolling over on her.

Sage was instantly back on her feet, coming back around to make sure her rider was okay. Sage was caught by another team member before she reached Corey.

Corey lay motionless on the arena floor, which had been well plowed for the night's practice.

"I laid there and couldn't move my hips, it really hurt. I can remember a split second of flying through the air." stated Corey. "The ambulance was brought into the arena to get me."

Corey was taken to Mercy Medical Center where she remained for three days. Each day she grew a bit better and stronger until she could walk again, although with a bit of stiffness.

Corey was released from the hospital at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 14. Within two hours, she was back on a horse and getting ready for a drill team competition in Reno set for Friday, June 19.

Corey's horse, Sage, was taken to a local veterinary clinic with the possibility of a fractured neck.

Lacking the money or time to take Sage to the Davis Equine Center, Sage will remain in her stall healing at the family's ranch until Oct. 1.

The Loomis family and the local veterinary clinic will see then whether Sage can remain pain free enough to ever again be ridden.

Sage's stall has been changed around so that she is not being strained in any way and doesn't have to lean down even to eat and drink. She is also constantly wearing a fly sheet and fly mask so that no irritation occurs.

Corey is now riding the assistant drill master's horse during practice sessions and in competition while they wait for a determination on Sage's injuries.

Corey has been riding on the Redding Junior Rodeo Association Drill Team for the past five years. She also has been barrel racing since age 5, participating in local rodeos.

Corey said she is looking forward to continuing riding with the drill team. In the fall, Corey will be a junior at Anderson High School. She is the daughter of Kate and Clif Loomis of Anderson.

"I am really lucky to come out of this accident as well as I did. Most riders that have a horse roll over on them get hurt pretty badly," said Corey.