When William Funnell broke his leg in a fall during the Nations Cup of Sopot, Poland, in June, doctors told the Olympic hopeful that it could be up to a year before he was back in the saddle.
However, the top British showjumper made a welcome return to international competition at the CSI2* Lier, Belgium, last week and is targeting a return to five-star level on home soil at the London International Horse Show at ExCel next month (16-20 December).
“It’s been a tough three or four months not riding,” he says. “I had to work hard to get to this stage. Doctors originally told me it would be six months at least, but could be up to a year before I’d be back riding again.
“There was very little I could do while I still had the crutches, but as soon as they took the cast off I started swimming 1km every morning – I’m probably actually fitter than I was before!“I still can’t run or walk too far, but riding is easier than walking, actually.”
Source: Horse&Hound
However, the top British showjumper made a welcome return to international competition at the CSI2* Lier, Belgium, last week and is targeting a return to five-star level on home soil at the London International Horse Show at ExCel next month (16-20 December).
“It’s been a tough three or four months not riding,” he says. “I had to work hard to get to this stage. Doctors originally told me it would be six months at least, but could be up to a year before I’d be back riding again.
“There was very little I could do while I still had the crutches, but as soon as they took the cast off I started swimming 1km every morning – I’m probably actually fitter than I was before!“I still can’t run or walk too far, but riding is easier than walking, actually.”
Source: Horse&Hound