Reine back in the saddle after accident

AFTER a three months absence due to an injury, horse rider, Reine Marshall, made a comeback to the equestrian world, and won two classes at the Oxford Equestrian Centre’s show jumping competition on Sunday 16 February.

Reine, who lives in Pinetown, first started riding when she was four years old. She began competing in show jumping events at age five. Reine was awarded her provincial colours for show jumping at the age of 10 and was the youngest in the provincial team. For the first time in 27 years, KwaZulu-Natal won the SA Pony Riders’ Competition that year.

While she celebrated her achievements as a young show jumper, little did Reine know what new challenges lay ahead of her.

The 11-year-old was competing in the Equestrian Sports Products (ESP) show jumping event at Durban Shogweni Club on 13 October last year, when her pony, Cherokee, tripped over the jump and got the pole trapped between its hind legs. She stayed on the pony when the pony somersaulted with her. Reine broke one of her vertebrae in her back, displaced one and compressed another.

The Grade 6 pupil at Winston Park Primary School was unable to attend school for the rest of the year and had to remain in bed for six weeks. Dr Ravel Ramlakan, an orthopaedic specialist, initially said Reine would not be able to ride for the next six to 12 months, but eventually gave her the go-ahead after three months.

Determined to get back in the saddle and compete in show jumping again, Reine trained every day and competed in her first show jump event after the accident, at the Oxfords Equestrian Centre on Sunday 16 February. She won two classes on her pony, Chardonnay Pizzaz.

“I thought my pony and I jumped well and I’m excited to be competing in show jumping events again,” said Reine.

Reine thanked her best friend, Sydney Swanson, coach Graham Swanson and sponsors, Alan and Margaret Hirsch, for their support.