5-star eventer Louise Harwood returns to competitors

5-star eventer Louise Harwood has returned to three-star motion, two months after she suffered critical accidents in a fall from a muck trailer.

Louise was injured on 15 June when she fell whereas she was emptying a wheelbarrow. She sustained fractures to her cranium, ribs and shoulder blade – and a few vertebrae, on which she had surgical procedure.

Louise spent 10 days in hospital, after which needed to put on a physique brace at residence whereas she recovered. On 8 August she returned to hospital for follow-up X-rays and was given the all-clear to return to the saddle.

“I couldn’t trip that day as a result of we didn’t get again from the hospital till fairly late, however the subsequent day I rode our little outdated pony Rolo, who we now have on mortgage for my niece. We had a stroll and trot spherical the varsity,” Louise informed H&H.

“Subsequent I rode my buddy Georgie Morgan’s dressage pony, Barlcay, and had my first canter. The enjoyment of being fairly small is that I can trip ponies.”

Louise, who has been present process rehab at Oaksey Home, then began using her 15-year-old gelding and prime trip Native Spirit.

“I do know him so nicely, and he takes care of me. I had a soar on him at residence, after which we went to Rectory Farm for some British Showjumping. I used to be bit sluggish within the firstclass and got here sixth, then I put my foot down and got here second within the 1.20m,” stated Louise.

“I believed, ‘I’ve survived that, so now I’m able to do an occasion’ and I went to Wellington.”

Louise and Native Spirit had been tenth within the CCI3*-S, ending on their 32.5 dressage.

“He was a bit excited within the dressage and we had a few errors, however he was superb within the cross-country and we had been contained in the time,” stated Louise.

“It’s good to be again. Folks stated once I went again to the hospital they may inform me that I couldn’t trip, so the worst-case situations had been dangerous however I attempted to remain optimistic and get as match as I might, and it was positive.”

Louise and Native Spirit will subsequent be going to Cornbury (11-15 September), then aiming for Blenheim (19-22 September).

“I’ve acquired a critical quantity of health and suppleness nonetheless to get again, in order that’s what I’ll be engaged on now,” she stated.

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H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and street security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed prime riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fort Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to residence. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting staff for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.