2 weekends ago I attended the annual fundraiser clinic at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA. I had planned to do a recap early last week, followed by some scheduled posts while I was traveling at the end of the week and weekend. Unfortunately we had a serious accident and I was injured at the clinic, going to the emergency room, and spending the next few days sleeping.
Hemie and I completely ate it at a small jump that happened to be situated on a hill. We powered up the hill, stalled out, and Hemie attempted the jump from basically a stand-still. His front legs got caught on the jump, and we both fell forward over the jump and then rolled down the hill. I detached from Hemie before hitting the ground, so we each rolled down the hill separately. He did not roll on top of me, but a hoof hit my helmet on the top left of my head.
Hemie is fine. He got up right away, was immediately caught, and came away with just a small scratch on his knee. He was checked out by multiple people, and has since been ridden without any issues.
I am alive and grateful beyond words that my injuries aren’t worse than they are. My head was bleeding and I thought my face was crushed. My left shoulder and neck had severe pain. A friend kept me stabilized until the ambulance arrived, and I was transferred to another ambulance for the trip to a special trauma center in the next town.
Ultimately the diagnosis was: a mild concussion, AC shoulder joint separation, 2 lacerations to my face requiring 2 layers of stitches each, and nerve damage to my face and head, all of which are healing. Nothing broken. The only casualty was a favorite riding shirt which had to be cut off of me. And there’s bloodstains on my breeches that I doubt will wash off.
I was wearing a helmet, impact vest, and air vest. If you do not own an air vest, even if you are a low-level rider like I am, I hope you will consider investing in one. I’m certain it prevented my injuries from being worse – including potentially neck/spine damage.
I’ll get to the actual recap sometime soon. In the meantime, give your horses and family extra hugs.
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| The black eye came the next day. |
You are so lucky! Glad to hear everyone was okay! Those air vests really are something…
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Yikes! Glad you (and Hemie) are going to be okay.
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Oh my gosh, so scary!!! So glad you and Hemie are both ok. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
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Oh my God!! I'm glad you and the pony are ok! Sending you lots of good healing vibes!
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So glad you and your horse are ok! Very scary!
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Oh my goodness!!!! So happy you and Hemie are both alright. Hope you are both feeling great and back at it soon!
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Wow! Glad you and H are ok! Take it easy.
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That is terrifying. Take good care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon!!!!
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Oh my gosh, that is terrifying! Glad to hear you're okay, but I'm sorry you had to go through it at all.
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Absolutely horrifying. I am glad it wasn't worse, but I am so sorry you are hurt at all. Sending lots of healing vibes. Grateful you were wearing your gear *hugs*
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Wow – how scary! I am so glad both you and Hemie are alright. Heal well <3
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YIKES! Good for you for having all that protective equipment on. I'm so glad you weren't hurt worse! Rest up.
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I am so glad that you're okay! These kinds of freak accidents are terrifying, to watch and to be a part of. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and kisses to Hemie.
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YIKES omg I am so glad you will be ok~!
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Whoa! Oh my! I am so glad that you made it out of there without worse injuries, but still, the ones you got are no walk in the park. I hope you heal fast so you can leg up soon!
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Oh crap! I'm so glad you're both okay!
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So glad you are both okay. I pray for a speedy recovery so you can get back to your horse. Sucks about the show shirt and breeches. But you can always buy new ones. And I am definitely considering investing in the air vest. I hope you get well soon and I am for sure giving family and horse extra hugs and a few extras for you.
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Oh and try peroxide, it will help with the blood stains on the breeches. I use it to remove blood and balsamic vinager with 100% results. not sure how much it will get out of the breeches but worth a try. when your up o it.
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So glad you will be ok! BTW thanks for including all the awesome injury pictures…the medical nerd in me loves stuff like that!
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Wow! here's to hoping you have a speedy recovery! Thank goodness for helmets and other protective gear!
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So scary!!! Glad you are going to be okay!!
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omg that sounds terrifying but i am so glad to hear that you are okay! i'm hoping for a speedy reconvert for you, and you're in my thoughts!
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Ugh – scary! Glad you're up and about, pony is fine, and that your safety equipment mitigated the damage.
Try ammonia first on the stain. Wash normally. If that doesn't quite get it, try soaking with hydrogen peroxide – 15 minutes. Air dry, the dryer will set the stain. All about saving the riding duds – I pulled a favorite ottb jacket off over my broken arm to avoid it getting cut in the emergency room ;D
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Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you and your steed are ok (mostly ok – owch!)
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Yikes!! I'm glad y'all are okay for the most part!!
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I'm so sorry! Thank goodness it wasn't worse. I hope that you get better soon!
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So scary!! I'm glad it wasn't any worse than it is, and that at least Hemie came out unscathed. I hope you heal up in no time!!
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Yikes!!! SO glad Hemie walked away unharmed and you weren't hurt worse.
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Oh my God Sarah, I am so, so SO glad you're okay! What a scary accident and such a blessing that it wasn't worse for you or Hemie.
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oh no!! so glad you're ok – and wishing you a full and speedy recovery!
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The first pic had me smile at the crooked c-collar, seriously a pet-peeve. I'm so glad you are ok, that kind of fall could have ended up sooo much worse! I think the vest certainly helped, as obviously did the helmet. Lucky nothing broken, and Hemie is ok.
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I am so glad you are OK but wow that must have been terrifying!
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Holy yikes! Glad you and Hemie are okay, that is super scary.
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Eeeeek! So glad you are (relatively) okay! I hope you have great drugs and are feeling better!
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Oh, Sarah … I am so sorry that happened. I've been busy and haven't been checking in on my friends. I am so glad both you and Hemie are okay. Rest and heal quickly, my friend. I hope to see you soon. I'll be at White on February 28 – March 1.
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Ouch!! I'm so glad you're okay!! I didn't realize you could wear an air vest over an impact vest. Thanks for sharing that.
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