In this interview, we speak with Hayden, a sophomore in high school, who shares the intense moments of a fall at the Nationals competition, resulting in her tailbone being injured. From overwhelming stress before entering the show ring to the lessons learned from the injury, Hayden's journey through recovery reveals the mental and physical challenges athletes face.
Horse riding competitively is extremely dangerous, Hayden states, "...you're working with a 1200 pound animal that doesn't speak your language. It's a hard thing to learn." She goes on to answer questions about her experiences.
1. What was your mindset before starting the barrel pattern at the Nationals?
My mindset before entering the show ring this year was very hectic. I started off ready, but as soon as my number was called, I fell into a lot of stress and pressure. I was really overwhelmed and, at that moment, had no interest in running my horse that day
2. Can you walk us through the moment you lost your balance and fell?
I had been running to my 3rd barrel, and at the second, I was not prepared for it. The moment I lost my balance was actually mid-turn on my last barrel. I was at the midpoint and sat too far forward. I realized I had lost my stirrup after 3 strides around the turn. I made it halfway down the ring before tensing up, and my horse crow-hopped because I accidentally kicked her in the flank. Next thing you know, I was on the ground.
3. How did you feel immediately after the fall?
When I fell, my adrenaline was going so fast that honestly I don’t remember half of it. I remember the pain of landing on my tailbone and crying in pain. I blacked out at that moment. Then, once I regained consciousness, I realized I was unable to get up by myself. My legs were shot with pain, and my head was pounding.
4. What kind of care did you receive after the injury?
The care I received for this injury was less than you would have thought. For tailbone injuries, there’s really nothing you can do. I took lots of painkillers and wasn’t allowed to do anything that involved bending over, riding, lifting anything heavy, etc. The no riding took a big toll on my mental health during the 2-month healing process. Walking was a struggle for me, so I stopped showing up to school for about 2 weeks. There was no way for me to get comfortable, and it became super irritating, but I continued to rest.
5. What lessons did you take away from the experience?
The lesson I took from this experience was really just to never let my guard down. I should’ve known better than to run my horse while I was so amped up in my head already. I put us both in a very dangerous position, and I’m so grateful we both walked out safely. She really tries her best to take care of me when we are showing. I will always ride with purpose now. Knowing I could’ve ended up with something broken, paralyzed, or even dead haunts me.
Hayden’s experience at Nationals wasn’t just a lesson in physical recovery—it was a reminder of how important mental preparation is in any competition. The fall, which could have had far more serious consequences, taught her the value of staying focused and never letting stress take over. As Hayden continues to heal, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the risks involved in the sport and the importance of always riding with purpose.
Reach her Instagram:
@iheartdrpep
It is important to stay focus in sports with horses because horses are powerful and fast, they could injure the athlete easily.