Courtney King-Dye, 2008 U.S. Olympic dressage team rider and frontperson of a global helmet awareness campaign, is pregnant with her first child. She and her husband Jason Dye are expecting a baby girl at the end of February.
Courtney King-Dye was one of America's most exciting, upcoming Grand Prix riders, showing amazing feeling and skill in the saddle. An unfortunate freak accident in March 2010 abruptly ended her international high performance career. Courtney was not wearing a helmet when her horse tripped and fell, and she suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. She spent 4 weeks in a coma and 3 months in in-patient rehabilitation re-learning how to walk and talk.
"When Jason and I were trying, anxiety tainted my desire. I feared feeling like an incomplete mother," she confessed. "I'm not going to be able to dress the baby, do its hair. change its diapers, hold it, ever even be alone with it. What made me try is simply the realization that regret at not having a child would cause more sadness than would be created by my inability to be able to be completely involved. But as soon as I knew I was pregnant, all anxiety disappeared. It's done, I'm pregnant, we'll make it work because there's no choice! Pure happiness is my only companion."
Courtney King-Dye was the recipient of the 2012 FEI Against All Odds award.
Related Links
Courtney King-Dye on her Incredible Trip to Receive 2012 FEI Against All Odds Award
Courtney King-Dye Getting Ready to Ride
Courtney King-Dye Admitted to Kessler Rehabilitation Institute
Courtney King-Dye Severely Injured in Riding Accident
Courtney King-Dye, Happiest About the Recurring Moments of Luck in her Life