‘Like I used to be by no means out of the saddle’: medal-winner driving once more 4 months after severe fall

Irish medal-winning showjumper Trevor Breen has been again on board his famous person Highland President and feeling good, 4 months after a severe fall.

Trevor fractured his decrease neck and again within the fall within the grand prix of Hamburg on 11 Might, and underwent surgical procedure on probably the most severe break. However he has been again within the saddle – and he advised H&H it was as if he had by no means been out of it.

“It felt unbelievable – however very regular, like I used to be by no means off; I don’t know tips on how to clarify it,” he mentioned. “I’m simply going to ease myself into it. I’ve ridden for 4 days now, just one horse every day. Highland President is the one one I’ve ridden, and it feels superb.”

Trevor mentioned for the primary couple of months after his fall, he knew there was no manner he may experience.

“I knew my physique wasn’t proper,” he mentioned. “For the final month or so, I’ve felt I may however I listened to the medical doctors – funnily sufficient, they know what they’re speaking about! – they usually advised me to attend, so I did. And hopefully, I’ll reap the advantages of not speeding it.”

Trevor mentioned he might be following the medical doctors’ recommendation to take issues simple as he will get driving match once more.

“In a few months, hopefully it’ll be within the rear-view mirror and enterprise as standard,” he mentioned.

Trevor was on the Irish group that gained silver finally 12 months’s Europeans with the home-bred Highland President – and he hopes there might be “loads extra to come back”. The horse was offered to Cian O’Connor final 12 months however got here again in March.

“It was eight months, which is the one time he’s ever been away and it was pretty to have him dwelling,” mentioned Trevor, including that the 12-year-old gelding was pleased to be again.

“1,000%, he knew he was again dwelling,” he mentioned. “I went out to unload him, opened up the truck and he checked out me a bit stunned. Then he was cuddling straight into me.

“He got here off the truck and stopped midway down the ramp for about 10 seconds. He seemed round, soaked all of it in, then dragged me straight to his steady. I may have let him unfastened; he knew precisely the place he was going.”

Trevor added that the primary physician to see him after his fall thought he won’t experience once more however the others he noticed agreed he would come again.

“I used to be very fortunate that the place I used to be there have been superb amenities,” he mentioned. “In case you had been to decide on the place you needed to do one thing like that, it was among the best locations to do it!”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all features of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by to worldwide championships.