Equestrianism and rider injuries seem to be a never-ending affair. The consequences usually don’t end well for the horse on many occasions, sometimes even requiring euthanization to rid them of unbearable pain from injuries after a fall. Just before the start of this New Year, another equestrian injury was added to that list. While the circumstances weren’t that grim for the horse, Frenchie, this time around, her rider suffered a serious concussion.

It wasn’t the ideal New Year for the British grade IV para rider, Izzy Palmer. Although Palmer, now 22, is feeling blessed to be back on her ride again, things weren’t this bright for the 22-year-old a few months ago after a “freak” accident left her unconscious in her backyard.

Izzy Palmer was knocked out in seconds

“It wasn’t the start of the year that I had planned or expected, it was a bit of a freak accident”, said Palmer to Horse&Hound, recalling the incident from December 2022. The injury didn’t happen at any racecourse or a premier estate. Instead, it was at Palmer’s house when she hit a fence and suffered the fall. She was immediately unconscious.

Palmer, aware of the dangers of horse riding, said, “You know the risks when you do a sport like riding, you just don’t think it’s going to happen to you. I banged my head and was unconscious for a fair amount of time, and had a seizure. I remember seeing the ambulance arrive and having a trip with the blue lights and sirens”.

READ MORE – “They Just Saved My Life That Day”: 25-Year-Old Equestrian Miraculously Overcame a Horrifying Brain Injury Once

The most unadvisable thing to do, when having a concussion, is to fall asleep. Palmer was lucky to have found good medical support at the right time. She credited the World Class program and Jack Berry House, of the Injured Jockeys Fund, in helping her recover.

Palmer is grateful for every little thing

One of the things that helped the medics in that regard was Palmer’s monthly concussion tests before her fall. She used to undergo a SCAT5 test every month (as might be advisable for equestrians to do) which gave the doctors a better understanding to build their work from thereon. She was particularly grateful to her trainer Sophie Wells, who took care of her nine-year-old mare Je Suis Adiva aka Frenchie, while she was healing.

Palmer came out with a fresh perspective on life after her treatment. She felt a greater need to listen to her body and physical well-being before pushing her boundaries. Given that she is all but 22, Palmer has all the time in the world to take it slow and prioritize her health and sport together.

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