Polly Williamson improving slowly following fall

The long-term prognosis for event rider Polly Williamson remains unclear, although her condition continues to improve.

Polly, 41, suffered head injuries and three broken vertebrae when her horse spooked in high winds and fell on her at her yard near Malmesbury last month.

She was wearing her crash hat at the time.

Her sister Tory Jowett told H&H that Polly was making “steady progress”.

Mrs Jowett said: “She is recognising family and friends and is very chatty, asking often about her children Freddie and Jack and wanting to know if everything is running smoothly at the yard at Charlton Park.

“She told me she was bored the other day and the nurses say she keeps trying to get out of bed.”

Doctors at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol put Polly into a coma after the accident on 8 December to allow the fluid and bruising to her head to subside.

Polly, a former young rider European champion, was transferred from the high-dependency ward to the rehabilitation unit at Frenchay last Thursday.

She is expected to stay there for some months.

Mrs Jowett said: “Some of her horses may be sold, as she is unlikely to ride again in the near future, but the door at Charlton Park is being kept open.

“It is hoped that, in time, Polly will be able to utilise her excellent teaching talents and experience in other areas of the sport.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (12 January 2012)

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