Well since my last blog I feel like life has been a little bit of a whirlwind. If you’re just catching up, I broke my collarbone schooling a young horse on March 1. As you can see in the picture, I busted it up pretty good.
But I was lucky enough to get in with Dr. Craig Ferrell, who’s been the U.S. Olympic equestrian team doctor since 1996 and is a rider himself, so he knows what we’re dealing with. Even though the original doctors gave me a three-month recovery time, Phillip was right when he said I’d probably be able to get back in the saddle in a few weeks.
Dr. Ferrell cleared me to ride on the flat (on my horses that don’t pull). Needless to say I was very thankful to hear that, because it meant I didn’t have to skip the team training session yesterday at Three Runs Plantation in Aiken.
I know it might come as a shock to some people, since it’s been such a quick turnaround, but I trust Dr. Ferrell, and though there is risk in everything, he considered the risk to not be too great. He also spoke at length with Mark Phillips about my injury and what I am allowed to do. So to be on the safe side, I won’t be competing at Southern Pines next weekend. But I’ll be back to ride at The Fork in April!
I actually had some really great rides yesterday at the training sessions. Ping went great, and I was thrilled with how solid he feels even after a couple weeks of taking it easy. I was a little rusty in the beginning, but I got things together by the end.
ADVERTISEMENT
Even more exciting, Walkabout and I actually had a breakthrough lesson, and Mark was really, really helpful with him. Working on the connection and getting him more uphill is definitely the way I need to be riding him, and he was going the best he’s ever gone. He was also working on the lead changes as well at the end, and although I have a long, long way to go with him, it was nice to feel like I am getting somewhere.
Hope all is well,
Jennie
