In July 2022, while competing at Buckminster Park, event rider Rebecca Page suffered a devastating fall at the penultimate cross-country fence. The accident left her with two broken legs – a Pilon fracture in her left leg and a complex break on both sides of her right ankle joint. Doctors warned that she might never walk properly again, let alone ride.
Following emergency surgery at Nottingham Hospital, Rebecca faced a long and uncertain road to recovery. The severity of her injuries made weight-bearing impossible, and the prospect of regaining full mobility seemed slim. Determined to defy expectations, she knew she needed specialist rehabilitation to have any chance of returning to the sport she loved.
With support from the British Eventing Support Trust, Rebecca was referred to the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) rehabilitation centre in Newmarket. Her treatment began with six weeks of hydrotherapy, using a water treadmill to regain mobility without strain. As she progressed, gym-based strength and conditioning work became a key focus. The expert team at IJF set a realistic goal: that she would not be back on a horse until December.
However, thanks to targeted rehabilitation and Rebecca’s unwavering determination, she exceeded expectations, receiving the green light to ride again in November a full month ahead of schedule.
Rebecca’s pre-season training looked different from previous years as she worked on regaining confidence as well as physical strength. But with the continued support of IJF and the British Eventing Support Trust team, she gradually rebuilt her fitness and mental resilience. Today, she continues to train at the IJF gym twice a week, ensuring she stays at her best.
“Instead of planning where to take the horses, I am seeing where the horses take me.”