Laura Collett has told H&H she’s “feeling good” as she continues her recovery at Oaksey House.
“I’m much better,” she said this afternoon (Wednesday 24 July). “It’s been a tough few weeks, but it’s been much more traumatic for everyone else. I just woke up and didn’t feel too bad!”
Laura was released from hospital last week (17 July), after several days in a coma in intensive care following a rotational fall at Tweseldown (8 July).
She suffered serious crush injuries in the fall.
“I was out of hospital a bit quicker than expected,” she added. “But as soon as I was awake I just cracked on and starting walking around.”
Laura has settled in well at Oaksey House, a rehabilitation centre for jockeys in Lambourn, Berks, run by the Injured Jockeys Fund. And earlier this week she even caught up with former top jockey — and IJF president — John Francome (pictured).
“That was cool,” she said. “He was surprised though, he said I looked fine! He was lovely. We had a nice chat.”
Laura’s been back home to her yard near Membury see her horses. Her trainer, British eventing team manager Yogi Breisner, has been working them, which she described as “very nice”, but admitted she found not being able to get on “frustrating”.
“I feel good, I’m surprised really. The next couple of weeks will be testing and I was very lucky so I need to take it slowly,” she added.
“My injuries are more internal — the damage to my lungs and liver was pretty bad — so we’re just playing it by ear. I’m having some physio and massages and slowly starting to build up strength and condition.”
