British grand prix rider in hospital with severe concussion after fall

Dressage rider Fiona Bigwood is recovering in hospital after a fall at Keysoe Premier League show on Saturday (26 April) left her severely concussed.

The competition was temporarily halted after the former British team member fell from her grand prix horse Sir Donato while exercising him.

She was initially taken to Bedford Hospital, but was discharged and returned to her base in West Sussex.

Her condition later deteriorated and her partner, Danish international rider Anders Dahl, took her to Brighton Hospital.

He told H&H: “She is still suffering from double vision, but her condition has improved significantly today [Monday] from yesterday and her scans have come back clear, which is a huge relief.”

Anders, who was at home at the time of the fall, added: “Sir Donato is such a quiet horse — more placid that some of Fiona’s other rides — so I can only imagine it was one of those freak things.

“The helmet she was wearing now has a large split in it, so it is dreadful to think about what might have happened if she hadn’t been wearing one.”

Fiona, who had already notched up 2 wins at the venue prior to her accident on the up-and-coming Atterupgaards Orthillia (in the inter 1) and Cashmir (in the prix st georges), had been due to leave this morning for Saumur CDI, where she was to ride Sir Donato.

Full report from Keysoe Premier League show in Horse & Hound magazine, out on 1 May 2014

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