Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen 'Bucked Off Horse' and Hospitalized Ahead of the Holidays

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pellen is in the hospital after getting injured horseback riding.

The first-term Republican governor, 68, was “bucked off a new horse and injured” while out riding with members of his family over the weekend, the governor’s office said in astatementreleased on Sunday, Dec. 22.

Pillen was transported to Columbus Community Hospital and then to Omaha’s University of Nebraska Medical Center where he “is expected to remain for several days” and possibly over Christmas, his spokeswoman Laura Strimple shared in the statement.

The governor’s injuries were not disclosed, however, his office said he was taken to the hospital “out of an abundance of caution.”

“The Governor is alert and is in continuous touch with his team,” Strimple said.

Pillen pictured in July.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty

The incident occurred in Northeast Nebraska, according to theNebraska Examiner.

PEOPLE has reached out to the governor’s office for further comment at this time.

Conservative Republican Pillen began his position as governor in January 2023.

Before entering politics, he worked as a veterinarian for several decades having graduated as a doctor of veterinary medicine from Kansas State University, per the governor’swebsite.

The Nebraska-born governor was raised on a farm in Platte Country and returned to the farm business as he established Pillen Family Farms while working alongside his family in 1993. He and his wife Suzanne share four children and seven grandchildren.

Nebraska welcome sign.fotoguy22/Getty

fotoguy22/Getty

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Pillen’s predecessor, U.S. Sen. Pete Rickettswroteon X (formerly Twitter), “Nebraskans, please join Susanne and I in praying tonight for a speedy recovery for Governor Pillen.”

The Nebraska Republican Partyaddedon X, “We extend our prayers for Governor Jim Pillen and his family.”

source: people.com