Hysterectomy Recovery to Reserve Regional Champions in just 8 weeks!

On Wednesday 20th November 2024 I underwent a full Hysterectomy. There was no right time to have it done, not being certain on the recovery time afterwards. Having spoken to many other people within the equestrian industry regarding my recovery I was put more at ease that I wouldn’t be out of action for a prolonged period of time. I was told by the hospital not to do anything or lift anything for four weeks and that I would hopefully be able to ride again in around four to six weeks depending on how I was feeling and 30 days later I was back on board, immediately I could feel a difference in how I sat. After being careful for the first few rides I was then confident to get stuck in and carry on training.

Before the operation we sat down and made a training and competition plan. The aim was to be back riding and competition fit for the Winter Regionals at Mysercough towards the end of February, 12 weeks post surgery. Just five and a half weeks post surgery that plan changed! We decided to reroute to Onley, the first of the Winter Regionals.

On the lead up Regionals I had a number of training sessions with Paul Fielder. We both felt like I was riding and sitting so much better, that I could now sit deep in the saddle and wrap my legs around the horse again, also helped by our new dressage model the Lincoln, something that looking back on I had found quite difficult to do over the past few years.

Feeling motivated, confident and stronger we went to Onley Winter Regionals on Wednesday 15th January, eight weeks post surgery, to contest the Advanced Medium Gold and Advanced Medium Gold Freestyle, feeling very under prepared! No pre Regional competition, no test riding practice and no time to check whether the music still fits due to over a week of snow, which meant our last outing was in September 2024.

Despite all of this we had a great time, I could not have been happier with the results. Both myself and Lenny felt stronger, the music fit perfectly and we gained our golden ticket to the Winter Championships in the Advanced Medium Gold Freestyle becoming Reserve Regional Champions with 72.28%. We also placed 4th in the very strong Advanced Medium Gold with 68.29%, fingers crossed this will be enough for a wildcard!

For anyone considering a hysterectomy and feeling apprehensive about recovery or its impact on your riding, I would fully recommend and encourage you to have it done. I wish I'd had mine done sooner. The positive impact it has had on my life right from the start of recovery has been amazing and I now feel like I have many more years ahead of me riding!

Sue 🐴 🇬🇧