“I wasn’t thinking about managing. I was terrified I’d never ride again”

When Jemima Green was paralysed from the waist down after a car crash, she thought she’d never be able to ride again. She was wrong – this is her story.

My passion for riding started when I was just two years old. I had a very fluffy 12.2 Welsh pony who took me through pony club and many open fields and embedded my love of horses. I knew this was how I wanted to live my life, and so chose a career working in eventing and producing my own horses. I worked my way up to my dream job as head girl and second rider for a top 4* eventer (Jodie Amos). This all changed in 2015 when I was involved in a very serious car accident, which left me paralysed from the waist down. My parents, brothers and family were, of course, devastated. I too felt the same – but I wasn’t thinking how I was going to manage my new life. I was terrified I would never ride again.

Hard climb back
I started with the fantastic Riding for the Disabled (RDA) charity, which supported and encouraged me
(with hours and hours of walking round next to me while I just tried to stay upright in the saddle. I had
no idea it was going to be this hard).
The fabulous RDA horse, Pandora, was so patient, and looked after me even through our first wobbly
trot strides. I had little confidence that I was ever going to be able ride properly again but each time we
got me on there was always a step further and the confidence built.

Competing against the best After months of hard work, I managed to finally progress to a different pony, Bubbles, and we managed to start my para dressage competition experience. She was the perfect stepping
stone to get back to what I felt was normality, and to prepare me for the years ahead.
In the near seven years since I became a paraplegic I have managed to compete against the best. I have won international competitions, and I am now supported by the world class programme.

I am looking ahead to the European championships in 2023, which I am focusing my training on, and I cannot wait for the season ahead.

Follow Jemima’s season on her Facebook page Jemima Green Para Dressage