Thursday, July 20 started out like any other day for Moree’s Emma Botfield.
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The 22-year-old was riding her beloved horse Norton during her regular early morning ride which she enjoys most days before heading off to work as a veterinary nurse at Moree Veterinary Hospital.
However, during this routine exercise, the unexpected happened and Emma fell from Norton.
Despite wearing a helmet, Emma suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting in a fractured skull, brain bleed, and severe swelling.
Emma’s brother, James Botfield, said no-one knows exactly what happened on the ride that morning, and that it’s unlikely that Emma herself will remember it.
“She goes out and rides every morning before work,” he said.
“There was nothing out of the ordinary that morning.”
Emma was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle after the accident where she underwent surgery for the swelling on her brain and has since been moved to Rankin Park Rehabiliation Centre where she has begun the long road to recovery.
Mr Botfield said Emma will now remain in rehab for an unknown period of time.
“It’s like climbing a mountain every single day,” he said.
“There’s been lots of positive signs so far; she’s making good progress.”
Emma has enjoyed representing the district, and state, in many show-jumping events across Australia over the past 15 years. This representation has included being a member of the championship-winning NSW Pony Club Junior Show-Jumping Team in Victoria in 2011 and winning at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show.
In order to lift her spirits during her rehabilitation journey, Emma’s friends and family came up with the Jump4Em hashtag, encouraging people to show their support for Emma by posting a photo of them jumping, whether it’s horse jumping, or just literally jumping in the air.
“The idea is for people to share photos to show they’re thinking of her,” Mr Botfield said.
“It helps her along and keeps her spirits up.
“She’s enjoying the support – her face brightens when she sees all these photos.”
Mr Botfield said the family would like to thank everyone who has supported them so far.
“A very special mention must go to the first people to arrive at the scene of the accident; Ambulance Service NSW Moree who arrived so promptly and took immediate action; the brilliant, skillful professionals at Moree Hospital; the Westpac Rescue Helicopter team who flew Emma to Newcastle; the operators of the chartered flight Emma’s parents hired to Newcastle, arriving within five minutes of her; the exceptional medical team at John Hunter Hospital; and the wonderful and specialised care of the staff at Rankin Park Rehabilitation Centre,” he said.
“All of these factors have combined to give Emma the best possible chance of recovery. The family cannot thank all of these people enough. We reflect on the actions of everyone and know that these steps and actions have given their girl the best chance, along with her strong will and fighting spirit.”
#Jump4Em Charity Campdraft Weekend
As Emma Botfield undergoes rehabilitation following her devastating horse accident, her family and friends have rallied to support her in every possible way.
The horse riding community has been particularly supportive, and with the help of Emma’s cousins and closest friends, have organised a Jump4Em Charity Campdraft Weekend to raise money to support Emma and her family.
“So many people were asking what they can do to help,” Emma’s cousin Amber Barnett said.
“The idea of the campdraft is not just to raise money, but trying to create a positive community event in the name of Emma.”
Ms Barnett said money raised will go towards the costs of Emma’s rehabilitation, which is likely to be long and costly, especially as her parents take turns being with Emma in Newcastle.
“Rehabilitation is an expensive road and [Emma and her parents] will be away from home for a long time,” she said.
The family would also like to contribute some of the money raised to an organisation which has helped her along the way.
The Jump4Em Charity Campdraft Weekend will be held at Warialda Showground on October 13 to 15 and will include a dinner, entertainment and auction on the Saturday night.
If you would like to donate to the auction, or to Emma’s rehabilitation, contact Amber Barnett on 0427 869 617.
For more information on the campdraft contact Stacey Duff on 0488 923 958.