Injured jockey Richard Gilliard of Hollywood is improving after being thrown from his horse

Richard Gilliard, the 27-year-old jockey from Hollywood injured in a horse race last week, is "getting better" but remains in critical condition, his sister said Tuesday.

Gilliard is still in intensive care at a hospital in Indianapolis. He was thrown from his horse Aug. 23 at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind.

"Everything is still wait and see," said Regina Gilliard, who visited her brother and is back home in Summerville. "We're just taking it day by day. He's responsive, but not really alert. He's in and out."

Gilliard's parents, Richard and Shirley Gilliard, are visiting their son now, Regina Gilliard said. She said officials from Hoosier Park have been visiting daily, as well.

"He has a lot of support from the Hoosier Park community," she said.

Richard Gilliard, who weighs about 115 pounds, was thrown from his horse, a 2-year-old in just his fourth start, about 30 yards past the finish line of a quarter horse race Aug. 23 at Hoosier Park, 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis. He suffered severe head trauma and multiple limb fractures, the Daily Racing Form reported.

Gilliard began riding as a boy when his father bought him a horse. After graduating from Baptist Hill High School, he earned his license as a horse trainer in Virginia. His sister said he's done well as a quarter horse jockey.

This was Gilliard's third season racing quarter horses at Hoosier Park. In 2010, he won a $100,000 stakes race. So far this season, he's won $108,503, according to the American Quarter Horse Association's website.