Former Dutch Olympic team rider Tineke Bartels severly injured herself in a riding accident yesterday noon. Bartels was hacking an experienced 8-year old horse, which never caused any problems before, when he spooked from something simple and took off.
She couldn't regain control over the horse and decided to steer it into a tree, but the horse jumped away from the tree and Tineke hit it hard.
Bartels was transported to the Sint Elisabeth Clinic of Tilburg were the doctors diagnosed her with three broke spines of the neck vertebrae and a big cut on her face. Bartels did not loose her sense of humour, though, because when the doctor stitched up her face, she joked, "You don't have to be so precise, I'm already off the market."
Bartels will need to wear a brace to support her neck for three months. Though she has some severe pain right now, she will not stay permanently injured. The recovery will take quite some time.
Source: Bartels Academy / Horses of the Dutch
Photo copyrighted: Phelpsphotos.com
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