Almost a year ago, dressage rider Silva Martin was badly hurt in a freak riding accident. The horse she was training tripped and they both fell. Although she was wearing a helmet, Martin suffered bleeding in her brain, resulting in seizures, loss of her ability to walk and talk, and numerous vision problems. After a tough rehabilitation, Martin returned to the dressage scene six months ago. Last week, she won the Draper Equine Therapies Best Foot Forward Award at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington. The German native was humbled by the recognition after such a difficult year.
“I remember watching the horse in the mirror just before she fell, but I don’t remember anything I did that morning,” Martin said. “I was helicoptered to the Delray Medical Center Trauma Center. I spent a while there. I’m pretty much fully recovered except for my eyesight. It could have been much worse. I feel very lucky.”
“The hardest thing for me was learning how to walk, because my balance was so affected,” Martin said. “I had a really hard time. I knew I would ride again, but I didn’t know how good I’d be or how much I’d ride. No brain injury is the same and the doctors can’t really tell you what’s going to happen. No one could tell me if I’d recover all the way. There were a lot of ups and downs for me because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.”
Learning to ride again was easier than any other part of her rehabilitation. Martin grew up in Germany, where most children go to riding school the way kids take karate or dance lessons in America. Getting back in the saddle felt natural.
“The first time I got back on a horse, I was so happy,” she said. “Because I’ve done it all my life, it was easier for me to relearn how to ride than it was for me to walk again. My body knew what to do.”
This show season closed a difficult chapter in Martin’s life. She appreciated being recognized by Draper Equine Therapies. The Best Foot Forward Award is given to competitors who show a passion for dressage and inspire others to appreciate the sport. Martin was presented with a Draper Therapies saddle pad, polo wraps, socks, and a scented eye pillow.
“It was nice to be recognized,” Martin said. “I’m so happy that I’m doing what I’m doing. So many people have such hard lives. It was nice to be recognized, but there are so many people out there who deserve it more than me.”
