Irish Olympic dressage rider Abi Lyle suffered a fractured vertebra in a fall while preparing for an arena eventing competition. The fall occurred when her horse, Francesca II, surged up a hill and threw in a buck, causing Abi to fall off. She is currently on box rest and waiting to hear from the spinal clinic about the next steps, with a potential recovery time of four to six weeks.

Despite the injury, Abi hopes to be back in time to compete Francesca at regionals but is being cautious not to rush her comeback. Her fiancé and a showjumper will keep the horses in work while she recovers. Abi remains determined to pursue her dual-discipline goals, including competing in a BE80 and an inter II on Francesca, once she is fully recovered.

Abi emphasizes the importance of following medical advice and not rushing the recovery process, even if she feels okay at times. She acknowledges the potential risks of pushing through an injury and is focused on returning to competition when she is fully healed. Abi’s positive attitude and determination to achieve her goals despite the setback demonstrate her resilience and commitment to her sport.