British 2010 WEG team bronze medallist Fiona Bigwood has made a stunning come back to the international big tour aboard her new horse, Atterupgaards Orthilia, after a challenging year that had put her at the brink of quitting riding. One year ago Bigwood suffered a fall from a horse which left her vision seriously impaired. Last weekend Fiona persevered and won the Grand Prix Special at the CDI Barcelona with scores that put her straight in the running for a British team spot for the 2015 European Championships in Aachen this summer.
On 26 April 2014, Bigwood fell off a horse in a freak accident at a local show and sustained major concussion to her head. After four days in the hospital she was able to return home but her life had changed dramatically. The accident left her vision seriously impaired as an eye nerve got damaged. One year later she still has double vision and has to ride with an eye patch. Surgery later this year might finally bring some relief.
The accident forced Fiona to reduce her riding to just one horse, the 2013 acquired rising Grand Prix horse Atterupsgaards Orthilia (by Gribaldi x Donnerschlag x Rambo). The now 10-year old Danish warmblood mare always gave Fiona a safe feeling in the saddle and the bay mare has kept her going. She was the reason why Fiona's fire remained sparked to put herself back in the big time.
"The accident has left me with very bad double vision," Bigwood explained. "My good eye can now compensate to a degree, but in the beginning I couldn't see properly at all, which takes time to adjust to. 'Tillie' was the only horse that I trusted to ride. Because it was such a bad concussion I had to limit any risk of sustaining another concussion for at least six months and that isn't easy to do when your eyesight is affecting your balance. Tillie is so kind and honest that I felt safe on her."
Climbing Back Up with Anders' Help
Fiona's husband Anders Dahl, a Danish Grand Prix rider, has been her rock in those unsteady times. He took over the ride on the majority of her horses and kept the yard going as Fiona recovered slowly.
"There have been moments where Fiona was ready to give up and sell her horses, but I tried holding it back as much as I could," Anders told Eurodressage. "I believe Fiona is an amazing rider and I always hoped she would come back and compete again. I am so happy now. She has given me three lovely children and she would have been in the ring last year if it weren't for the accident. She has only competed at a very few shows since the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Now she is back and I believe better than ever."
Fiona is not afraid to admit the accident rattled her confidence and drive to ride.
"Last year I had a lovely string of horses to campaign which I have trained up since having my last child and when that was stopped so suddenly, it really knocked me," she confessed. "I got very depressed and found it really hard to come to terms with the situation, but Anders was amazing. Adapting to riding with one eye is very strange as you lose that 3D-vision and it is hard to judge distances. I also can't see anything on the right as I have a patch on so when other riders are with me in the school it is much harder for me to be aware of where they are."
Blooming Partnership with Orthilia
Despite being green at Grand Prix, Atterupgaards Orthilia has been Fiona's equine saviour and the mare made a jaw dropping impression in Barcelona at her international big tour debut. After a safe Grand Prix test, which gave them a score of 69.357% and ranked them fourth, Fiona and Tillie amazed in the Grand Prix Special with exceptional passage and extended trot work. The judges unanimously put her first with 74.132%. The victory made Fiona very emotional.
"There are not many tests that I have ridden where I have tears rolling down my cheek on the last centerline but this was one of them," she said. "Tillie was the only horse that I would ride after my accident last year and she has kept me going. I also have to say a huge thank you to Anders who has done more for me than I can ever thank him for."
Anders recommended Fiona to make her CDI come back at the professionally organized Barcelona Dressage Tour in sunny Spain, where he achieved amazing success last year sweeping the small tour aboard his rising Grand Prix horse Selten HW (by Sandro Hit).
"It was my goal to start the season in Barcelona," Fiona explained. "In the Grand Prix it was quite windy, so she was a little tense and reacted to the plastic blowing in the bar area, which was a shame. For the Special I just wanted her more relaxed and to have a clean round. As soon I did that first extended trot I knew that she was with me and wanted to show everyone what she could do, so I went with it. I adore this mare and she has really pulled me through this last year. She is a real friend to me."
Big Dreams for the Future
Orthilia has given Fiona a reason to dream again of greatness in her competitive dressage career. With a 74.132% score in their first Grand Prix Special ever, the pair immediately propelled itself as a clear British team candidate for the 2015 European Championships and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. While Orthilia certainly has all the qualities to make it onto the British team, Fiona does not want to rush into anything.
"Of course I am aiming for Rio with her - who wouldn't - but I want to enjoy her as well and will only do what she is ready for," she said. "Life is too short and we need to enjoy it. With this mare I can!"
Fiona's 2015 show schedule includes the CDIO Saumur at the end of April, probably followed by the CDI's in Windsor and Hickstead.
"I will speak with the selectors and discuss it with them as I don't want to do too many shows with her, especially as she is only in her first year," she concluded.
by Astrid Appels - Photos © Rui Pedro Godinho
Related Links
Scores: 2015 CDI Barcelona
Fiona Bigwood Returns Home from Hospital
Fiona Bigwood Hospitalized with Concussion After Fall
Fiona Bigwood Acquires Rising Grand Prix mare Orthilia
First Big Tour Winners, Spain and Britain Take the Podium at 2015 BCN Dressage Tour
Fiona Bigwood Makes Show Come Back with Sir Donato at 2014 CDI Addington