LUCINDA Fredericks is looking forward to a return to her favourite event – the Barbury Horse Trials which started today – after completing her recovery from a horror fall earlier this year.

The 47-year-old Australian Olympic rider, based in Little Cheverell, underwent surgery and spent two weeks in hospital after suffering six broken ribs, a broken collarbone and punctured lungs following a hefty fall from novice horse Rovello at Tweseldown in March.

“I’d never had anything like that happen before and never had a situation where I almost wasn’t here anymore – it makes you think about things,” said Fredericks, who rides Prada in the main CIC three-star section, The Navigator in the CIC 2* and Shelter Cove in a Novice section.

“It did take a long time to come back physically and mentally. I realised I always need to think about my daughter (Ellie) and I want to carry on being successful and safe.

“I did probably come back a bit quick but going to Luhmühlen (last month, where she finished tenth) was a big step forward and it was important in terms of qualifying for the World Equestrian Games (in 2014).

“I felt like I got better week by week and any pain now isn’t worth writing home about. I’m not really in the hunt for the top places in the three-star at Barbury but I’m definitely looking forward to it because it’s my favourite event.

“The course is brilliant and it’s a fantastic event for spectators.”

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