German team gold medal winning Young Rider Anna Christina Abbelen sustained a severe concussion in a riding accident that left her hospitalized for a day on Tuesday 10 October 2017.
The 21-year old Abbelen, who recently won team gold and double silver at the 2017 European Young Riders Championships and who was the 2014 European Junior Champion, was in a riding accident during a daily training session.
Abbelen, who is in her last year as a young rider and who will be making the definite transition to Under 25 level in 2018, was launched from the saddle of her number one horse First Lady (by Florencio x Donnerhall) when the mare suddenly jumped forward and stumbled.
Abbelen was immediately brought to the hospital for a check-up and had to stay overnight as she was diagnosed with a severe concussion and some bruises.
"I got a major headache, and I think my helmet broke. We will check that tomorrow. I also have a small injury to my back, one of the vertebrae, but I'm OK," Abbelen told Eurodressage. "I can still laugh and Lady is fine too, so everything is alright. I think I can't thank the invention of the helmet enough!"
"It was a big shock yesterday but I came out of it with just a scratch," Anna continued. "This was the sixth time that I fell of a horse this year."
Photo © Astrid Appels
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