A woman rider was airlifted to hospital following an accident during the Staffordshire County Show.

The 31-year-old rider suffered spinal injuries after she fell off the horse she was riding during a showjumping display, when it reared in the main ring of the County Showground.

It is the first time the Midlands Air Ambulance has had to land at the event at the Weston Road site during its long history.

They landed in the main ring, arriving within eight minutes of the receiving the call and the rider from Lancashire, who complained she had no feeling in her legs, was taken to University Hospital of North Staffordshire for further treatment.

Clare Crook, a county nurse officer for St John Ambulance who were the first on the scene after the accident, said: “The rider was entering the arena when the horse reared after being spooked, although we are not sure by what. She was thrown off her horse and landed extremely heavily on the ground.

“St John personnel went immediately to her and because of the type of injury we felt it was necessary to contact the air ambulance.

“It is the County Show so we are prepared for every eventuality and geared up to deal with all sorts of incidents from the minor to the extremely major.

“As far as members are concerned while it was unfortunate this happened, they acted quickly and very well together.”

County Show organisers from the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society also praised the response.