Skeeter Johnston is in critical condition after being trampled by a horse during a Wednesday morning practice at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Fla., according to the Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
   The son of Summerfield Johnston, former CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises, has competed in three U.S. Open finals, most recently in 2005.
   Johnston, player-sponsor for the Skeeterville team, was playing Catamount in preparation for today’s Stanford U.S. Open game when he collided with another player and was trampled.
   Teammate Julio Arellano told the Sun-Sentinel that Johnston was flown to Delray Beach Medical Center, where he underwent surgery late Wednesday to alleviate swelling from the brain. Arellano said Johnston suffered two broken legs, a broken pelvis, a dislocated hip and a broken jaw.
   Johnston is co-founder of the North American Polo League and principal partner in a new high-goal polo facility, the Flying H Polo Club in Wyoming.
   His sister, Gillian Johnston, player-sponsor of Bendabout, did not play in Wednesday’s match so she could be by her brother’s side along with other family members. The poloplaying family owns the Bendabout Farm outside of Cleveland, Tenn.

This story was published Friday, April 06, 2007