A Team GB Olympic equestrian who was severely injured after falling off her horse eight years ago has won gold in team eventing, and described the win as ‘beyond words’.
Stroud News And Journal report that Laura Collett achieved her dream at her Olympics debut alongside team members Oliver Townend and Stroud resident Tom McEwen.
She said: “It’s always been a childhood dream to be at the Olympics so to be sat here with an Olympic gold medal around my neck is beyond words really.”
After her fall eight years ago, Laura spent six days in a coma and was blind in one eye, as well as puncturing a lung, lacerating her liver, a fractured shoulder, and two broken ribs.
Her mother, Tracey Collett said that the first few days of her hospitalisation were the worst days of her life, and she has tried not to think about it since.
Laura, before heading to Tokyo said she was determined to fulfil her potential.
“A lot of people questioned whether I would and whether I had the mentality to want to get back on a horse after such a bad accident but all of that just made me want to prove everyone wrong,” she said.
The first person she called after the victory was her mum, who said: “When she phoned me just after Oliver had jumped and she just said we’ve won a gold medal mum
“She was just crying, there was a lot of tears at this end as well, but of happiness.”
It is Great Britain’s first Olympic team gold in eventing since Munich 1972, while Australia took silver and France bronze.
Decorations have been put up at Laura’s yard near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire as her team prepare to welcome her home.
If you’re looking for livery yard services, talk to us today.