Teen Injured in Horse-related Accident at Princeton Show Jumping

By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | July 6, 2026 (Updated on July 7, 2026)

A 15-year-old girl suffered a traumatic injury after a fall from a horse at Princeton Show Jumping in Skillman on July 5 at 9:29 am, according to Somerset County dispatchers. Initial reports stated the patient was unresponsive. Montgomery police said the horse fell on the rider after she was unseated. Local firefighters established a medevac landing zone, but luckily the patient regained conscious as the helicopter touched down. The local EMS were able to transport her to the hospital.

A New Jersey State Police medevac helicopter landed on a field by Princeton Show Jumping on Sunday morning, but ultimately the local EMS was able to handle the call.

Photo by T Kevin Birch.

Princeton Show Jumping requires an EMT and an ambulance or equivalent emergency medical personnel to be on standby on the show grounds for the duration of every competition, according to Montgomery Police Lt. Jason Larson. Because it is a sanctioned USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) event, these medical services must be on-site to ensure the safety of all participants.

If an emergency requires additional care, the show's official contact protocols designate the following facilities:

• Nearest Hospital with an Emergency Room: University Medical Center of Princeton

• Nearest Level 1 Trauma Center: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

Montgomery police said the patient was rushed to the New Brunswick hospital, but did not know the status of the patient.

Princeton Show Jumping is located along Burnt Hill and Skillman roads, in the Skillman section of Montgomery Township.

Photo by Barbara A. Preston

Riders at Princeton Show Jumping are required to wear protective headgear at all times when mounted on the show grounds. It must meet or exceed ASTM standards for equestrian use, carry the SEI tag, and be properly fitted with strap secured.

The Montgomery News reached out to Princeton Show Jumping on Monday, but officials were not immediately available.

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Princeton Show Jumping hosts United States Equestrian Federation rated events April through September. Professional and amateur riders compete for the largest purses offered in New Jersey. The series features USEF National Hunters, National Standard Grand Prixs, USHJA Hunter Derbies, USHJA Championships for Junior/Amateur Jumpers, Young Jumper Championships, USHJA Outreach competitions, USHJA Festival, and the Princeton Equestrian League finals. 

Andrew H. Philbrick developed both Hunter Farms and Princeton Show Jumping, both located in Skillman.