A RIDING school has vowed to raise funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity after it came to the rescue of an instructor who suffered a horror fall from her horse.

Steph Eden, 32, from Bingley, works part-time at an instructor at Harden Grange Riding School, Harden, and was left needing hospital treatment for a catalogue of serious injuries following the traumatic accident three weeks ago. She and a friend were training at an equestrian centre in Epworth, Lincolnshire, when disaster struck with her horse, Harry.

Miss Eden, who works as a veterinary nurse, was unconscious for four days and can’t recall much of the incident, but said it was a rotational fall where the horse falls forward and the rider falls with it.

The incident left her with a broken collar bone, a broken rib, a head injury and pneumothorax, which means there is a tear in the lung and air escapes into the chest cavity.

She said: “My most recent memory is waking up. The air ambulance took me to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. I was told I was unconscious for four days - when I woke up I felt really, really confused about what was going on and what had happened. It just felt like a bit of a dream.”

Miss Eden was in hospital for two-and-a-half weeks and had to undergo surgery and cognitive tests.

But there was relief when she was reassured by doctors that there are no long-term concerns over her head or brain. Now, she is on the road to recovery, along with Harry the horse, but it will be a few weeks before she can take to the saddle once again.

Harden Grange Riding School are recognising the charity with a gala-style day, which will be packed with activities for all to enjoy.

“I can’t thank them enough for what they have done,” Miss Eden said.

It will be held on Monday, August 28, at Harden Grange Riding School, from 12-3pm. There will be pony rides, a fun dog show, games, stalls, refreshments, an auction and more, with all money going to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

Kerry Garner, West and South Yorkshire Regional fundraising manager for the YAA, said: “We’re delighted to have the support from Harden Grange Riding School - we frequently fly to equestrian incidents and I’m sure the riding school knows all too well the importance of our service. Thank you very much.”