Grassroots eventer makes miraculous comeback from freak accident to win
(Image credit: David Kennedy)
BARELY four months ago, Rebecca Wood was bracing herself for the possibility that her partner of 12 years – and the winner of BE90 section O at Shelford Manor (2), Notts – On The Buzz, might have to be put down.
In May, the gelding – who was bred by Rebecca’s mother out of her thoroughbred mare and by the coloured pony stallion Honeypot Sporran – was so poorly that vets were doubtful he would pull through.
It wasn’t until Rebecca insisted on an X-ray of the gelding’s jaw that the vets discovered a small fracture.
“I spent weeks cutting up hay for him so that he could eat – he wasn’t digesting food properly, which was leading to problems in itself, but once he started eating properly he picked up and I was able to start riding him in a hackamore.”
Since their comeback, the pair has enjoyed a remarkable BE90 run, finishing sixth at Aston-le-Walls (4) at the beginning of August and following this up with a win at the Aspen Cooling Ltd Solihull (2) before their victory here.
“The only tell-tale sign now is a lump on his jaw – otherwise, it’s like nothing ever happened,” said Rebecca.
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