We’re sending our love today to Julia Norman, a British 5* athlete who has sadly announced the end of her eventing career after a traumatic brain injury left her with long-lasting effects following a fall during training.
“The fall left me unconscious tor 45 minutes, as I had suffered a traumatic brain injury,” Julia wrote on social media. “The MRI also showed I had already sustained damage from a couple of falls 2 years ago… Another fall would likely be life ending or extremely life changing, forcing an unexpected and very sudden end to my riding career, well before I would ever have been ready to stop doing what I so loved. I am not going to lie, it has been a tough few months, and a lot to come to terms with. But, as I have to keep telling myself, I’ve been lucky to be able to get up and walk away, with my two little boys Max and Harry, and my amazing husband Tristan.”
We’re wishing Julia all the best. It’s devastating to have your career and love of competition taken away, and we can only imagine how difficult this has been for Julia and her loved ones.
U.S. Events This Week
None! But there is the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, which kicks off tomorrow. You can follow along and find more information here.
News & Reading
Ocala’s International Airport is moving forward with some hefty expansion plans over the next 20 years. Chatter on the local equestrian community’s social media indicates that some things have been missed in the approval process for these expansions, including a lack of noise testing and other considerations. You can read more on the plans and a recent meeting held for community members regarding the changes here.
Australian rider Oliver Barrett sits well atop the FEI Young Rider World Rankings after a banner year, and his goals of representing his country on the international championship team are ever closer. You can meet Oliver and get to know this rising star for the Aussies here.
FEI World #2 dressage rider Isabell Werth is heading stateside this winter! Isabell will be competing in Wellington, FL for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival during Week 7 in February, so if you’re planning to be in the area it might just warrant a trip down to Welly World! Read more here.
Video Break
Safety is only as good as your fit, and Charles Owen helps some contestants from the Blackfort Equestrian All-Star Academy in this H&C+ video:
