Show jumper Carron Nicol suffered broken bones and was left with blood pouring from her face after her horse Rhapsody was spooked by a pigeon, reared up and crushed her underneath
An award-winning show jumper almost died when her horse was spooked by a rogue pigeon, fell and crushed her underneath. Carron Nicol was walking her horse Rhapsody out of a barn when he spotted the bird, reared and slipped on the ice.
Horrifying footage shows the four-year-old grey stallion rear onto his hind legs at 1pm on January 4th, hit Carron in the face and then topple on top of her.
Thankfully, the 61-year-old, who is the company director of horse breeding company European Sports Horses Ltd, wasn’t alone in the yard and a colleague ran to help. The mum-of-two was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed she’d broken her breastbone, collarbone, nose and two ribs.
Shocking photos show Carron’s bloodshot eye and her battered riding helmet with a giant crack down it. Now recovering at home, Carron is urging horse riders to always wear a helmet, as she credits hers for saving her life.
Carron, from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, said: “Watching the clip back is horrible, not like I imagined at all because a lot runs through your mind in the seconds it’s happening.
“I remember the rear, I remember him hitting me in the face, which I think knocked me out, and then I don’t remember anything else.
“I didn’t realise it was quite as dramatic as it was, it was a lot worse than I thought.”
Lowenna Tiplady and Carron’s son Leo Lamb work at the stables and rushed to Carron’s aid when they saw what happened.
Lowenna, 23, said: “I saw Carron on the floor and immediately ran to her. I saw that she was breathing very heavily and was completely out of it.
“I saw blood coming from her eye and I immediately knew how serious this was and got on the phone to 999 and was shouting for some help.
“It was the scariest moment of my life. It was the most scared I had ever been, I thought she was going to take her last breath on me.
“The outer shell of the helmet was all cracked and scraped and dented.”
After being blue-lighted to University Hospital Coventry in Coventry, Carron was found to have broken her breastbone, collarbone, nose and two ribs.
Carron said: “I’m in a lot of pain. I have a lot of bruises on my face, it looks like someone has hit me in the face.
“I still love him [Rhapsody], he’s going to be a champion one day.
“All good horses are a bit lively and spooky, that’s the thing with a good horse. That is what makes them good really, a little bit of life.”
Now resting at home, Carron is urging anyone who rides to wear a helmet.
Carron said: “I would urge anyone getting on a horse to always wear a helmet. Every time you ride without a helmet you are taking a risk and you could end your life.”
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