COURAGEOUS equestrian Isabelle Taylor completed a stunning return from injury, beating British Olympic star William Fox-Pitt into third place at Windsor International Horse Trials, just ten months after breaking her back in two places, writes Sarah McQuillen.

The 20-year-old, who was recently taken on as third rider at John Johnson's Landford Common Stud, and is more accustomed to testing young mounts and preparing horses for events, was competing in her first ever international two-star event.

She finished a remarkable second overall, after registering faultless clear rounds in both Saturday's cross country and Sunday's showjumping aboard Flurry Knox V.

But only last summer, Taylor's blossoming career looked likely to be cut short before it had really begun.

In July, she fell from Flurry Knox during an event in Lummen, Belgium.

She was bed-ridden for six weeks and faced a lengthy recuperation period.

Bravely, she took a risk and opted for immediate surgery, fighting her way back to fitness.

By Christmas she was riding again and this spring, she resumed a full schedule of eventing engagements.

She said: "I spent a lot of time lying on my back in hospital and a lot of people seemed to assume that I wouldn't ride again.

"But, for me, there was never any question that I would.

"Having time to think only made me even more determined to compete and be one of the best."

The two-star debutante's decision to return to competition was justified in spectacular style at Windsor when she finished ahead of a host of international riders including Pippa Funnell and Zara Phillips.

Her nine-year-old horse Flurry Knox also went into the prestigious event with little experience of high level eventing.

Taylor said: "I have had a half share in him since he was four.

"I always believed he had the talent to do well but you can never really expect anything with horses.

"As it happened, I couldn't have asked for more."

Great Britain's Polly William-son was the overall winner at Windsor, finishing nine points clear of the rest of the field.

Later this month, Taylor is back in action in Scotland, riding eight-year-old intermediate mare Opposition Gazelle at the Burgie two-star event.

She is also confirmed as a competitor in this month's Wilton Horse Trials on June 13-14.