“I Felt Trapped in My Own Body”: 35-Year-Old Equestrian Who Was Once Crushed by Horse Regales Her Incredible Tale of Recovery

Sometimes the very thing that can help you achieve your dreams can also result in them being shattered. An example of this unfortunate situation is the 35-year-old equestrian, Hacia Atherton. Before a terrible fate befell her, Hacia was a competitor in dressage and wished to represent her country, Australia, on an international level. However, that soon proved to be an impossible task after her 1300-pound horse fell on her and completely crushed her in 2017. As a consequence of the accident, Atherton injured her pelvis and fractured her hips and spine.

With such extensive injuries, walking alone seemed far-fetched, forget about riding. Doctors told Atherton, who was 29 at the time, that she may never walk again. However, she was not ready to listen to them. Over the next few years, she showcased such sheer determination and willpower, that no adversity could stand in her way. This is a story of broken dreams snatched afresh from the claws of afflictions.

How a female equestrian defied all odds

Indeed, Hacia Atherton’s recovery was not one without its own set of challenges and setbacks. Even though she was determined to get back on her feet, her wish was delayed by depression and anxiety that plagued her after the accident. However, she persevered. According to a report by Daily Mail, the Melbourne resident said, “I never accepted the idea that I wouldn’t be able to walk again. It simply never entered my mind. I was incredibly determined to get back on my feet, and this determination was a driving force in my recovery.” It was this vigor that ensured that she was able to not only walk, but run marathons as well.

The painful incident took place in 2017 when she was preparing for a qualifier for World Equestrian Games. During an exercise, the rider felt that the horse was getting tired, however, her trainer decided to push the horse further. In protest, the horse reared up and threw Atherton off its back, a moment when, as she describes, time slowed down. She said, “I knew in that instant that this would be the end of my riding career, and the heartbreak was immediate.” The equestrian barely managed to push her horse, CC, off of her, and she army crawled from under the heavy weight to avoid getting crushed further.

Read more: “He Came Home and Passed Here”: Family Forced to Euthanize Their Horse After Tragic Accident

Sadly, the damage was already done. She further described the scary aftermath, and said, “I couldn’t breathe or move my legs, and I kept thinking I had broken my spine. It was a terrifying moment.” After X-rays, she found out her spine was millimeters away from being broken, though luckily, that did not happen. However, she could not put any weight on her legs for 3 months. Her lack of mobility weighed heavily on her mind. She said, “I felt trapped in my own body with no escape.” It took her 6 months to even try to walk, after months of continuous therapy. To date, she has undergone 25 surgeries and will be needing more in the future. Nonetheless, she has not let the situation dim her spirit.

Where it all began

When Hacia Atherton received a pony named Honey Babe for her 7th birthday, she immediately fell in love with all things equestrian. As she grew up, she started working toward her dream of representing Australia in dressage. However, an equestrian training exercise that turned into a nightmare changed everything. It’s been more than 5 years since the horrific accident took place, and Atherton has come a long way. Even though her experience was a traumatic one, the CEO, courage coach, and leadership speaker has learned to turn the negatives into positives. Atherton’s husband Simon was a huge support and inspiration for her, and she set a new goal for herself.

She wanted to carry herself down the aisle on her own two legs, a goal she readily achieved. In the interview, she thanked her husband and said, “Simon has been by my side through every moment of my recovery, and all the recoveries since. I honestly don’t know how I could have done this without him.” Another thing that kept her sane during this ordeal was throwing herself into exploring new passions. She studies Masters of Applied Positive Psychology and used it to grow her profession as a motivational speaker. Needless to say, her quick thinking kept her alive, but her courage is what taught her to live again.

Watch This Story: Equestrian Who Won Three Medals for America Sadly Passes Away at 81