Madonna hospitalised after fall from horse at country retreat

MADONNA is in hospital with serious injuries after falling off a horse while celebrating her 47th birthday.

The singer has three cracked ribs, a broken collar bone and a broken hand as a result of the accident.

She was expected to be released from hospital late last night, according to her spokeswoman.

The star was celebrating her birthday with husband Guy Ritchie and their two children when the accident happened yesterday afternoon at the 1,200-acre Ashcombe House, the Material Girl’s country residence.

The singer’s spokeswoman, Barbara Charone, said: “Madonna fell off a new horse she was riding late this afternoon at Ashcombe House.

“She sustained three cracked ribs, a broken collar bone and a broken hand but is expected to be released from hospital later this evening.

“The star was celebrating her 47th birthday with her husband, film director Guy Ritchie and her two children, Lourdes and Rocco.”

Madonna has reinvented herself as an English country wife since meeting the Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels film director.

She is reported to have recently turned to horse riding, booking lessons in south-west London.

She was also reported to have borrowed two horses from the stables to ride at her country estate.

Madonna’s other outdoor pursuits have included clay pigeon shooting.

Ashcombe House is Madonna’s mansion outside of London.

Recently the star won her bid to keep ramblers from walking across most of her £9 million (€13m) country estate.

Stag Riding Stables, where Madonna recently borrowed horses, said they were not involved in the accident in any way.

Proprietor Julie Gatt said the singer had returned the horses after a few days, after borrowing them around the time of the Live 8 concert in early July.

“She had a few riding lessons here with us,” Ms Gatt said.

“She borrowed a couple of horses but she’s not been in since then.

“She’s a lovely lady and we’re very sorry to hear about her accident,” Ms Gatt added.