Young rider battles back from serious injury
A 12-year-old rider, who suffered severe head and facial injuries in a riding accident last year, has returned to the saddle to claim fifth place in a BE90 class at Pontispool Horse Trials in Somerset (29-31 May).
Yasmin Sanderson, from Lymington in Hampshire, and her 10-year-old gelding Patrick III were competing against an open adult field of around 40 competitors.
Her accident while riding at home in July last year was so severe, neurological surgeons at Southampton General questioned whether she would even ride again.
Her father Ian said: “Yaz fortunately cannot remember what happened, her physical scars have healed so well, but her biggest challenge having suffered such a trauma was the mental challenge to be able to confidently attack the solid fences of a cross-country course again, so it was a thrill for everyone to see her do exactly that at this level; there were a few tears at the finish.
“There are too many people to thank individually that have helped her get back in the saddle competing, but we particularly appreciate her coaches Claire Moir of BYRDS and New Zealand international Bruce Haskell for her jumping, and the team at British Eventing for their confidence in her.”
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.