Nicholson on the long road to recovery

Andrew Nicholson is said to be on the road to recovery following surgery on his neck after a crashing fall at Gatcombe on the 9 August.

The fall

Andrew fell at the final fence while competing in the CIC3* riding Cillnabradden Evo, a horse he also fell from at Barbary Horse Trials earlier on in the year.

Andrew was then taken to the John Radcliff Hospital in Oxford where he underwent surgery on his neck and was said to be up and walking unaided within a few days.

Recovery

Andrew has now released the below statement commenting on his recovery and thanking staff and well wishers.

“I am very pleased to be back at home and wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone myself for their kind messages and support which have meant a lot to me and my family” he wrote.

“In terms of my injury I realise I have been incredibly lucky.

“My surgeon, Mr Jeremy Reynolds, told me that the injury I sustained to my neck would have caused paralysis at the time of injury, in 98% of cases. I was extremely fortunate this did not happen.

“I underwent an eight-hour operation where they repaired the fractures and stabilised my cervical spine. This procedure in itself was not without risk, and I cannot thank enough, the team of spinal surgeons at the John Radcliffe hospital, for what they have done.

“Obviously I won’t be riding again this season as it will take some time to fully recover. Whilst I have to take things easy, I am up and about and fully mobile, and look forward to getting back to full fitness in due course.

“Thank you in advance for allowing my family and I some privacy and time to rest and recover.”