Thibault Fournier Returns to Competition

Thibault Fournier and Siniani de Lathus. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

French eventer Thibault Fournier suffered a crushing a fall on cross country at Pompadour Horse Trials in France on October 13, 2019. The fall left the now-25 year old rider in a temporary coma with a grueling recovery path laid out ahead of him. That path came to a head this weekend as the made a remarkable return to competition in the jumper ring at Montcontour.

Thibault competed in two classes, a 1.15m division with Clairon du Bisson, an 8 year old Selle Francais stallion who was competing at the CCI2* and CCI3* levels at the time of Thibault’s injury, and a 1.10m class with Cibisk’Huit, an 8 year old Selle Francais gelding also competing at the CCI2* and CCI3* levels.

Thibault was riding Chactas Chalonges, a now 8 year old Selle Francais gelding, when he fell in October and was subsequently airlifted from the venue to CMU Limoges. The fall and its subsequent head trauma had damaged his health, but never his spirits. We’ve followed Thibault closely as he’s made his remarkable recovery, slowly getting himself back in the saddle and taking small steps toward competing again.

In April, Thibault posted a video update showing his progression to riding. “I’ve been riding for several weeks!” he wrote. “After taking back my marks at the obstacle with my faithful Ronron, I was able to find Chactas under the eye of Bérengère! A real pleasure to follow a little journey with Chouki (the chance to live and be confined with my horses). This is an opportunity to thank all my partners, who have continued to support me over the past few months … it is in the hardest times that you see the real supporters! Obviously I also have a big thought for all of you who follow me, and sent me hundreds of messages of support. I hope your strength will continue to carry me until I get back to the full competition fields!”