“With my diagnosis, I got what I called my death sentence: no more riding.”
new stage in my recovery,” Alyson says. The experience reaffirmed her determination. “I will ride again,” she says.
“I’m not sure my surgeon, Dr. Christoforetti, knows about that,” she adds with a laugh. “But I think he does!” The experience also taught her something else. She realized she simply
couldn’t stay away from horses. “I need to be involved in the equine community,” she says. And, despite her sadness, she realized how grateful she was.
“I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me through my
recovery process. As I said before, if this is the battle I face in life then I will consider myself lucky,” she explains.
Changing Goals Alyson is now preparing for the trainer certification process through the U.S Hunter Jumper Association. “Even if I can’t ride again, I’ve had enough training and experience to help out young riders—just as people helped me,” she explains. “And I really love working with the kids.” She plans to submit her application to the USHJA in the coming months. If it is approved, she will attend a series of clinics before taking her certification exam. Alyson has known for months that she will likely need additional
surgery, but is determined if at all possible to avoid the derotation procedure, which she says would involve several months in traction and a full year of physical therapy. Ready to launch her career when she graduates in a few months, she says she simply can’t afford to lose a year in that way. “Dr. Christoforetti is confident he can adjust my hip to my femur instead of the other way around (which is how it’s usually done),” she says. In mid-January, Alyson was back to see Dr. Christoforetti. “We decided
From the Top: (1) Doll House Sadie, owned by Doll House Farm. Courtesy Alyson Furey (2) Arlen All The Rage, owned by Alyson. © Casual Creation Photography (3) Dutch Warmblood Ringo, owned by Emil Spadone/Redfield Farm. © David Bell (4) Alyson on Arlen All The Rage. Courtesy Alyson Furey
38 March/April 2012
that I will have another surgery this summer, mid-May, to tighten the ligaments in my hip to hopefully create more stability and prevent it from dislocating,” Alyson reports. “But I did get good news as well. Until the surgery I am released to do whatever I want, riding included! I am very excited to have a few months of freedom with the hope that I will be able to return to normal shortly after my surgery.” At the end of January, with much anticipation, Alyson sat on a horse for the first time in more than a year. The experience has left her cautiously optimistic—and determined to make riding and competing a regular part of her life again, even as she prepares for her next surgery. As she said of herself as a youngster in the show ring, “I always want to win. That’s just my mindset and that’s what I’m going to go do.” For Alyson, losing is simply never an option.
[Editor’s note: Alyson Furey is happy to discuss femoral anteversion with readers who have additional questions. She can be reached by email at
afurey@mix.wvu.edu.]
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