Recovery

It’s been quite a big climb back to fitness from 5th August when I had a fall in Lier, resulting in 4 broken ribs and a pneumothorax. So not a very exciting time for competing, but hopefully this is a bit of insight into steps I’ve found helpful to get back to competition.

I had three sessions at Oaksey House, starting with some basic physio in week 2. In week four I had a strength assessment which identified my left ankle, which I broke 10 years ago, as a surprising area of weakness, together with a bit of weakness in my right knee which was only injured two years ago. I was sent off with some strengthening exercises, and finally in week 7, I was signed off and advised to find a personal trainer to continue the good work. I’ve always been quite disciplined with myself about fitness, and about straightness when riding. I’m not much of an athlete, so I have to work hard at having a good technique and be fit to ride well. I’ve always enjoyed swimming and running, but recently various aches and pains have left me less enthusiastic, and I felt that my increased falling off was perhaps a lack of strength as well as a sign of aging. I’m immensely grateful to everyone at Oaksey House for their help which has really helped me take control of my fitness again.

I spent the two weeks of the Autumn show at Hickstead helping clients - I seemed to be more of a hex than a help, but it was great to be back at a show, and to be busy and feeling involved.

I did wonder how I’d feel about getting back on a horse, and had quite a lot of well meaning advice about quitting, but I felt so happy to be back on board Arietta & Breakdance after 4 weeks. With the lovely weather they were still out at night, and we all got slowly fit together.

We had a wonderful week in France, two days in Ile-de-Re where we overlapped with Sophie and her in-laws and four near La Rochelle in the beautiful Manoir du Plaisance. Leaving the horses and Twiglet in the very competent care of Holly White.

Once we were back home I stepped up the work for both myself and the horses. Just riding & caring for two horses isn’t really enough to be competition fit, so I try to do something extra every day, Pilates, swimming or weights. I’m working with Emma Varley on strength which I am absolutely loving, and slowly upping my swimming

Both horses have come back into work really well. Especially Breakdance who looks absolutely fabulous, and feels so much stronger and much less worried than before.

Unfortunately just as I was starting to jump them my back started to really hurt. After about 5 days it became clear I had an abscess which needed draining under general a aesthetic. This has been a very tedious and painful set-back, but luckily we’re all up and running again now. Holly White and Alice Bradford were brilliant at stepping in to help in a bit of emergency.

Finally I got back to a show at Felbridge last weekend. Just starting with small classes, but both horses felt very happy to be out, and jumped very well. Once I’d jumped a couple of fences I felt confident and strong. So hopefully back with a good start.

For many years I’ve known that I don’t always have the greatest mindset when competing, and recently I have really lost any competitive edge. Clearly having a bad fall is not helpful so I am working Jenni Winter Leach at Flying Changes Coaching . I’ve just had one session and have found her very insightful, and am wishing I sought a bit of help earlier, and looking forward to having someone to work this out with.

We’ve just returned from a lovely, laughter filled, weekend in Polzeath in Cornwall with great friends, leaving the horses with Holly and Alice Bradford. So I’m hungry to get back on and get jumping again.