Fearless after her fall - Female jockey Fletcher determined to keep riding after suffering dangerous injury

Having suffered a near-death experience when she was kicked in the side by a young horse during an early-morning workout on Boxing Day, female apprentice jockey Samantha Fletcher said she is now even more determined to follow her dreams of becoming a top rider in the country.

The horrifying incident took place after Fletcher fell from and was then kicked by her mount during exercise at Caymanas Park.

The 27-year-old suffered an injury to her kidney and was hospitalised for four days before being released on Monday.

“I knew from day one when I entered into the sport that I should expect anything and so this is just a part of it and I won’t let this stop me from riding and pursuing my career of being a top jockey,” Fletcher told The Gleaner.

“I am a very confident person and so this injury will not affect my career, because I am going to go back much fitter and stronger,” she said. “I have dropped off horses many times, but this is my first serious one.”

Fletcher, who began riding competitively in September 2018, has ridden 10 winners so far in her young career. She noted that the doctors have advised her that her injury could take up to a month to fully heal.

“They (doctors) said it is not a really dangerous injury and it can heal by itself, but it will take some time and so I have to be patient with it,” said Fletcher.

“It will give me a setback, but I still have the potential to do whatever I want to do and if trainers give me the rides, then I know that I will do my best at all times,” she added.

Fletcher, who recorded eight wins last year, won her last race aboard EYE CANDY on December 7. She noted that her aim this year is to be among the leading riders in the race for the Jockeys’ Championship.

“My intention is go back very quickly to ride and this injury is going to make me go a lot harder than before,” Fletcher said.

“This year, my plan is to make it into the top 10 of the (Jockeys’) championships and nothing is going to stop me from doing that,” Fletcher declared.