coma on his way to the Agricultural Exhibition.

Jason Jones, 21, was in intensive care in critical condition with severe head injuries after falling from his horse en route to the show early yesterday.

Mr. Jones, who lives on Point Finger Road in Paget, was thrown from his saddle and kicked by his frightened horse, De Doctor, just yards from his own home at 7.45 a.m.

He had been due to arrive early at the Botanical Gardens showground, to prepare for the Western Class riding event at noon.

Close family and friends were keeping a vigil for Mr. Jones last night, as his accident threw a cloud over an otherwise happy opening day at the exhibition.

Daniel Greenslade, who won the Western Class event on his ride Rambling Rose, said: "I don't know Jason that well but I certainly know of him and I know his family.

"All the riders' thoughts are with them right now. We were all coming down quite early on to set up and then we heard about his accident.

"We all feel for Jason, his girlfriend and his family. We're very sorry that this happened.'' Just six horses took part in the Westerns parade -- with Jason's horse back in the Seabright stables and not ridden.

During the competition, the stadium announcer told the crowd: "Our thoughts are with Mr. Jason Jones and his family. There was an accident en route to the show this morning and he was to be in this Western period horses class.'' Police were last night trying to discover if Jason had been wearing a helmet at the time of his fall, because Western contestants wear cowboy hats during the event.

And traffic officers are appealing for witnesses after being told Mr. Jones was thrown and then kicked by his horse near the junction of Point Finger Road and South Road.

Hospital officials said Mr. Jones was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit last night. He still had not regained consciousness.

Mr. Jones, a dog trainer and carriage racer, drives a horse and buggy for tourists.

His friend Ruth Tavares, who works at the Spicelands Riding Centre, was too distraught to speak about the accident yesterday.

She said: "There are a lot of his friends here and we're all absolutely devastated.

"We've heard that it's touch and go and we just don't know what's happening.

We're still waiting for some news.'' Peter Truran, Superintendent of Ring Events at the show, said: "We don't know exactly what happened but we think the horse reared up, probably because of the traffic. Jason probably fell backwards. We called the hospital and they said he was in a very grave condition.''