Andrew Nicholson's recovery on track - but the future remains uncertain
In an interview at his Lockeridge home, the star New Zealand eventer Andrew Nicholson has said that his recovery is going well, but he is not certain when - of even if - he will be back in the saddle.
He is obviously in good spirits and has become an expert ‘couch specialist’ watching the rugby and the racing: “As a matter of fact I’m quite a connosseur on how to ride a race!”
Nicholson suffered a severe neck injury in a fall at Gatcombe Park in the summer that could have left him paralysed.
He told eventer and commentator Jonty Evans: "The surgeon's very pleased with the work he's done and the way I've looked after his work." Now he says it is a matter of being sensible and not rushing to get back in the saddle.
The surgeon has told Nicholson there is no reason why he cannot get 'back to normal': "It's healing well and it is strong."
However as the interview went on, it became obvious that Nicholson's return to the saddle was not a foregone conclusion: "It's whether I've got the commitment to want to do it. At the moment I very much want to ride, but I fully understand I can hop on a horse and I may feel frightened." If that is how it turned out, he said, "I wouldn't do it."
"I don't want to ride to make the numbers up. I don't want people to say I was only doing a good job considering he hurt his neck. I want to be doing a good job and winning. You never know till you try."
He has another scan in two weeks and that will show how well his recovery is going.
The interview is available to watch on You Tube - sponsored by Jumper's Horse Line.