NASHUA - The medical conditions of two men injured Sunday while racing chuck wagons at the Big 4 Fair appear to be improving.

Brent Olson of Charles City and Travis Wangness of Aplington were seriously hurt when they fell from horses during the event. They were in outrider positions, which means they were following their team's wagon when the incident happened.

Wangness is at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn. and Olson is at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo.

Danny Bohlen of Allison, a member of the Chuckwagon Racers of Iowa board of directors, said Wednesday the men were thrown from their mounts.

"Their horses just stumbled. There wasn't a collision or anything," he said.

Bohlen characterized Olson's and Wangness' wounds as "head injuries" and said he was informed the injured riders were responding to medical treatment.

"They both are more alert today, and it sounds like they're making progress," Bohlen said.

Contact Bob Link at boblink@globegazette.com.