Dutch Dressage News

Anky Recovering In Hospital From Riding Accident

January 21, 2002

Anky van Grunsven is recovering from the 3-hour surgery she had to undergo after falling off her horse in the morning of January 17, 2003. That day, Van Grunsven had a severe riding accident with Gestion Joker, who bucked so hard that Anky was launched out of the saddle, and fell hard on her back. She sustained a complicated upper leg fracture, which had to be operated in the hospital of Veghel, The Netherlands.

The head surgeon placed a metal bar against the bone so that it would be fixated and able to heal. Anky needs to stay at least five days in the hospital as she is in severe pain. "She has a shortage of iron in her blood and she is very tired. Normally she's a very energetic person, but now even fysiotherapy is the hardest job for her," Sjef Janssen explained.

Anky will need to rest her leg for three months and then can gradually start using it again. It will probably take about five months for Anky to reappear on the show scene.

You can send post cards to Anky at the address: info@anky.nl

Image copyrighted: Dirk Caremans - Anky van Joker at the 2000 CDI-W Mechelen.

Related Link
Anky van Grunsven Breaks Leg