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a crushed pelvis that collapsed on the left side (over four breaks and fractures) and a broken wrist. We had attempted to jump a hay bale, which Fendi clipped and somersaulted landing on top of me. She didn’t get up straight away but luckily came away


The comeback kids O


By Emma Flockhart


n the 7th July 2019, my horse Fendi and I had an accident leaving me with


with nothing more than some stiffness and a fright. I’ve never been so terrified in my life.


I had major surgery on my pelvis which involved pins being secured in place and a 20cm metal rod fitted across my lower stomach. I remember coming out of surgery and thinking I would never ride again.


I had major surgery on my pelvis which involved pins being secured in place and a metal rod fitted across my lower stomach


With my surgeon’s permission at my six-week post-op follow up, I was riding before I was out of crutches. It felt surprisingly normal and no pain at all. The physios were shocked at how quickly I had recovered.


It's so good to be back competing


I know what happened was a freak accident and something I should never have asked of my horse. This wouldn’t have happened doing our usual activities, so I had to accept that and let go of the fear. My horse Fendi is the horse of a lifetime. She has had no fear since


tumbling, she was off for more than six weeks, let me clamber back on her and get back into the swing of things and has never once put a hoof wrong. She was my motivation the whole time to get better and get back into doing what we love.


Ten weeks post-op we made it out to Forresterseat Hunter Trials and jumped around clear to finish in third place. I am very lucky to be alive and still have my angel of a horse by my side. We hope to continue our eventing journey in 2020!


Report by Gillian Lapsley, Photos by Adrian Sinclair


ebecca Lapsley and Thistledown Angel Eyes were crowned the Howe


A surprise win at Highfield at Howe R


Supreme of the year 2019. Rebecca has only had Angel


since December 2018 when Angel was still green to showing. They had a few knockbacks with Angel having to have surgery in June for a fractured tooth.


Every year Highfield at Howe run their showing shows and competitors gain points for placings, which puts them into a final section depending on the amount of points won, sections being gold, silver and bronze. Competitors must also attend at least three out of the five shows. We loved supporting the Howe shows during the year as they are so friendly and you get great advice from the judges.


Rebecca and Angel went supreme champions


Enjoying their lap of honour


Rebecca was fortunate enough to gain enough points to put her in the gold supreme section and take second place for the


4 SCOTTISH RIDER DECEMBER 2019 | For advertising telephone 01380 734373


total points achieved. The prize for the supreme champion of the year was £500 and £500 for your chosen charity. Well never in a million years did Rebecca expect to win, but she did. Rebecca decided to donate her charity prize money to Equi-power Central Scotland RDA as she has a friend Millie-Boo Smith who attends there for vaulting as well as riding lessons.


Rebecca would like to thank the Myles family from Howe for her prize and the beautiful trophy she is custodian for a year.


© Adrian Sinclair


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