American Guenter Seidel's WEG hopes were dashed when he fell off his horse UII on 13 June 2010 and fractured his pelvis. Seidel was operated on in Germany and then flew to California to recover.
The process has been a slow one, but Seidel is determinated to get back into the saddle and contend for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.
Three weeks ago, the German born Seidel was back in Germany for another operation. In June a physician cut a 7-inch incision in Seidel's lower abdomen to place a plate in front of his pelvic bone. A smaller incision in his back was made for a screw to hold it in place. This plate was removed nearly a month ago.
Unable to walk without crutches for more than two months, Seidel is on a recovery plan that includes daily swimming and physical therapy with weights, balls and bands. "This is the longest I've ever been not on a horse," Seidel told Gary Warth of NC Times. "Often times you want to get back on, but you can't. So it's difficult. But I'll get back on again."
Seidel said he plans to be well enough to ride in the next Dressage Affaire in Del Mar next March.
"It's a very slow process, obviously," he said about his recovery. "I'm sure there's going to be a lot of painful moments, and it's not going to be easy to get back."
"I'm not going to be unrealistic about that, and if I fall off again, it could be the end of riding," Seidel said. "But overall, I don't have any reservations about getting back on the horse."
Read a full interview with Seidel on his recovery at NC Times
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