Emma Bennett, a 31-year-old mother of three from Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, suffered a broken neck after a horse riding accident during a 40mph gallop. The fall occurred on Monday, May 11, while she was riding a thoroughbred mare that bolted uncontrollably.
Split-Second Decision to Jump
Bennett, who had left her office job to pursue a career as a freelance rider at a racing yard, was forced to jump off the horse to save her life. The bay horse reached speeds of around 40mph, and Bennett made a split-second decision to leap into a bush. She lost consciousness and was rushed to A&E.
Initially sent home in a sling, Bennett returned to hospital after experiencing intense pain that left her delirious. A CT scan revealed fractures in her neck and spine. Doctors told her she had broken three vertebrae in her neck, three more in her spine, and fractured her shoulder blade.
Hospitalisation and Recovery
Bennett spent a week in hospital in a neck brace, unable to move. She has since been discharged but must wear the brace for 12 weeks. Medics warned her that a similar fall could leave her paralysed. She said: "One morning I was going up the gallops on this horse and it just bolted. There was nothing I could do to stop it. I just thought 'this isn't going to end well'."
Bennett recalled that adrenaline masked the severity of her injuries: "I think I was briefly knocked out and then people came over to see if I was okay. I was in a lot of pain. I think the adrenaline was in full force but my shoulder really hurt, I couldn't move my arm and my neck was sore."
Long-Term Consequences
The main fracture was in her C6 vertebra, which can be dangerous for spinal cord injuries. Bennett said: "I was very lucky not to damage my spinal cord." Surgeons advised her never to ride again, a prospect she described as devastating. "I've got a lot of things to think about with the children and life because it's not just me that I've got to think about," she added.
Bennett now rests at home with regular CT scans to monitor her recovery. She said: "I'm not scared to get back on my horse but other horses, I'd be more wary now. The surgeon did say that I could be at high risk of being paralysed if I had another fall like this. It's very scary to think that doing something I love could have cost me my life."
