Every body is an equestrian body, which is why August is focusing on size inclusivity on YourDressage. As we share the stories, struggles, and triumphs of plus-size equestrians from across the country, our friends at Horse Dazzle and Kerrits Equestrian Apparel have graciously partnered with us to sponsor a #DressageForEveryBody2026 giveaway for three lucky readers!
By Wynne E. Smith
2025 was a very bad year for me.
It started on January 2, when I was notified that my job was going to be eliminated. As a single woman rapidly approaching 64, that was not how I had envisioned my life going. A job hunt at my age was not in the plan.
On my last day of work, after shipping my laptop back and fighting back some tears, I decided to go riding. I knew that there was nothing like a nice ride on my horse to help me feel better.
I tacked up my pony mare and got on. We were working on 20-meter circles, and I remember trying to get her to give me a little more “go.” Just as she moved forward, she tripped extremely hard, somersaulting completely over. I was thrown off, and I remember seeing her left hip headed for me as I hit the ground. We both laid there for a bit trying to figure out what had happened.
In the end, I had a broken rib and collarbone, and she had a sore hip and back. We were both lucky, since it could have been much worse.
Collarbones and ribs heal in four to six weeks when children break them, but at my age, recuperation takes a lot longer. It’s more like four to six months.
I had a boarder horse named Romeo, who I used to lease. Romeo is a retired Warmblood with a sweet attitude. With his owner’s permission and my trainer’s help, I began to ride him as often as I could. I set my sights on a show in May to help me achieve my goal to “get back” into riding. (The pony mare who fell had been sold, partly to pay bills.)
After a show in May 2025, I was so proud of Romeo! He took such good care of me, and we scored in the 60’s in Introductory Level Tests B and C. I felt like I was “on the way back,” and had a great partner who had graciously come out of retirement to help me get back in the saddle.
In that same spring, I purchased a German Riding Pony/Welsh colt. I set my sights on bringing him along as my last big project – my long term goal. Showing Romeo in the short term, and later Dan (Dandelion D’or) became my new plan.
Fast-forward to August 2025. Baby Dan was home at my farm, and I was consistently having productive rides on Romeo.
One afternoon, I was cleaning hay out of the back of my pickup truck. I had been using the hose on it and the tailgate was wet. I made an ill-thought-out decision to jump off the back of the tailgate, slipped, and landed all wrong on my left leg. As I hit the ground, I heard an awful popping sound.
My boyfriend took me to the ER (again!), where we got x-rays. When they showed three broken bones in my left leg and ankle, it was clear there would be an emergency set in my near future. This happened on a Friday, and they set up surgery for the following week. However, the day of the surgery coincided with the day Dan was to have his breed inspection in Tryon! Nooooo!
As luck would have it, my doctor was also a rider. When I explained the situation, he agreed to put off the surgery until after Dan’s inspection (priorities!). I attended the inspection in a temporary cast and using a walker. Dan’s breeder was able to be there to present him, and he went home with a Premium designation and Site Champion.
The surgery on my leg had an estimated six-month to full year recuperation. I had plates and screws in three places. I was lucky to have many people help me with my farm and the horses over the next six to eight months. As breaking five bones in one year is NOT normal, I had a bone density scan done and found out that I have osteoporosis.
Once I was finally cleared to ride (I was not going to let the osteoporosis stop me!), I began to have trouble with the inside of my leg. The screws in my ankle had started to back out. I couldn’t wear a boot – or any shoe that touched those pieces, so I had to have another surgery to remove the screws. In the meantime, I rode in a low shoe or tennis shoe on the left side, until it became just too painful.
The offending screws are now out, which was another six-to-eight week recuperation period, and I am now back to riding– mostly walking, but some trot work. I have discovered that my leg is numb in parts from the knee down, and if I ride longer than twenty minutes, my whole left leg goes numb. But I am determined to work through it!
With Romeo as my trustworthy partner, we look forward to competing in Training Level by the fall. We may stay at Training Level for a long time, but that’s OK! Dan is my fun project, who will keep me working towards my future (more lofty) goals.
I’m now 65, retired, and happy to be riding again. For anyone who is going through a difficult period and feels like their body has suddenly betrayed them, keep the faith! You can do it! With the help of your most trusted horses, a great trainer, and a fitness coach, riding again is possible.
Just DON’T jump off the back of the tailgate!
