Der Reitunfall

I had to go to Jarlaheim, and Jamie wanted to come along.

Gillian: “It’s nice of you to ride with me to Jarlaheim. We could grab something to eat while we’re there.”

Jamie: “Well, now that’s what I call a very direct invitation to a date. It’s about time, too.”

It was a pleasant ride. Just before reaching Jarlaheim, we saw a horse galloping ahead of us.

Gillian: “What’s that up there? Oh no — the rider has fallen! She’s tangled in the reins. Jamie, quickly! We have to stop the horse!”

Jamie: “We need to hurry, Gillian. That doesn’t look good! I’ll try to overtake him and cut him off!”

Jamie raced after the horse. At a fork in the road, he managed to stop it.

Jamie: “Whoa, easy, boy… it’s alright. Calm down. You’re safe now.”

Gillian: “The rider’s unconscious. I hope she’s still alive. I’ll call an ambulance and take care of her. You check on the horse and try to calm him.”

The rider was a teenage girl. She was unconscious, had severe abrasions — especially on her face — and one leg looked badly twisted. Hopefully she hadn’t suffered any further serious injuries. Thankfully, the emergency doctor arrived quickly, treated her, and took her to the hospital.

Gillian: “I’ve never seen anything so terrible. Thank goodness she’s alive. I hope she’ll make a full recovery.”

Jamie: “Sometimes something happens in a split second that you never expect. Let’s hope for the best. We’ll take her horse with us for now.”

The parents had to be informed. Maybe Claire knew something — the horse surely came from the Jorvik Stables. I called Claire immediately. She knew the horse and the owners — the Middleton family. The injured girl was their daughter, Lisa. She wasn’t allowed to ride out alone, but who doesn’t know how that is… a girl and her horse — together they feel unstoppable. I used to do things as a horse girl that my parents still don’t know about. But I doubt that mattered to Lisa’s parents now. We put Boulder into a stall for the time being.

Gillian: “He really is from Jorvik Stables. His name is Boulder. Claire has informed the parents. I hope we hear something about her condition soon. Boulder is extremely nervous. He won’t eat or drink.”

Jamie: “He’s traumatized. Imagine what it must have felt like — the rider, the one guiding him, suddenly gone. Instead, there’s a weight hanging in the reins that he can’t get rid of. He tries to run from it, but he can’t escape.”

Claire later spoke to the Middletons. Lisa had been very lucky. Apart from a broken leg, heavy bruising, and abrasions, she had no further injuries. It would take a few weeks, but she would recover completely. A huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I had to tell Jamie immediately.

Jamie: “Finally… fly into my arms, dearest Gillian!”

Gillian: “Stop that nonsense! Claire called — Lisa is going to recover. I’m so relieved!”

Still, I realized how quickly something can happen that changes everything. So Jamie got his hug after all. Claire offered to work with Boulder and treat his trauma so that he would be ready to be ridden again by the time Lisa recovered. Claire began working with him — calmness training to rebuild trust. It took time before Boulder started to open up. Eventually, he began approaching her on his own and seeking her closeness.

Claire: “I don’t think you’ve ever been this calm, Boulder. You can trust me.”

Gillian: “He’s nothing like he was during the first days after he arrived.”

Claire then asked me to ride him. I was hesitant, but I did it anyway.

Gillian: “Why should I ride him? I don’t really feel comfortable.”

Claire: “Exactly for that reason. I’ve worked with him on the ground for weeks and ridden him myself. When Lisa starts riding him again, she’ll be insecure at first. He needs to learn that this isn’t something to fear.”

Lisa came to visit Boulder. She still couldn’t walk because of her broken leg. The abrasions were healing but still clearly visible.

Lisa: “Oh, Boulder… I miss you so much, my boy.”

Gillian: “I’m so glad you’re feeling better, Lisa. Claire has worked a lot with Boulder, and we believe he’s ready for you.”

Claire: “And when you’re fully healed and ready for him, you’ll come back — and we’ll work step by step until you’re riding him again. Until then, you can visit him whenever you like.”