100k in 10 days on horseback

On 18th April 2024 was a normal day for Lily. After school, straight to the ponies to exercise them. Just finished with one pony, and onto the next. All was going well, then the pony spooked making 10yr old Lily loose her seat and came over the ponies shoulder, but she didn’t fall! Her foot got stuck in the stirrup, and the the ponies horror bolted kicking out in dispare trying to run away from what was hanging from him. Lily was dragged around our 20x40 arena twice with the pony going spare kicking out and rearing in every corner. On the last stretch Lily was still attached dragging on the floor, the pony jumped a jump which thankfully released Lily’s foot from the stirrup! We later discovered Lily’s riding boots which had elastic laces (very common boots for all equines to wear) had got caught on Lily’s safety stirrup.

there is a video demonstrating this on Instagram @team_hollingsworth_equestrian

Please please beware if you are wearing both these combinations in riding! We found out the hard way.

Lily was the bravest little girl I know. Not a tear in sight, just laid calmly asking if her leg was okay. I thought she had head injuries because she was so calm.

we called the ambulance straight away and once the ambulance team assessed her, it was clear Lily needed the Specialist medical team straight away, who arrived by helicopter within minutes. They made myself and Lily at ease and kept the conversation going, calmly and assured us everything was okay. The team pulled & straightened her leg and knew exactly what they were doing. They took us straight to hospital where Lily first had a CCT scan to be sure there was no internal bleeding. Thankfully it was just a broken femur (the biggest bone in our upper leg, and in-fact in our whole body), a fully grazed back from shoulder to shoulder and down to her bottom, grazed elbows, a black eye and a bruised chin. Lily had an operation the next day and had two wires inserted which will be removed in February 2025. We remained in hospital for a further week. Lily was extremely lucky it was just a broken leg, but unfortunately has been wheelchair bound for 6 week’s missing out on school, and now on crutches trying to get about as much as she can.

Lily is back in the saddle just in walk on her original pony (not the one she fell off) and gaining her confidence back up slowly. Lily lives and strives from her ponies- she has deeply missed riding, but ultimately she’s had many panic attacks since being around them. She is now on a whole new journey to gain her confidence back, her strength back and to overcome these panic attacks over something that was once such an huge part and love of her life. She’s determined!

We will be doing a 100k hack in 10 days to raise £500 for GWAAC

They saved Lily from what was the most traumatic thing I’ve ever witnessed, and did a fantastic job around of assuring she wasn’t in pain, relaxed and in safe hands.

Please help support us on our challenge from August 9th - August 18th covering 10k on pony back! All funds raised go straight to GWAAC and will help them save another little girl, boy or even member of your family.

We need them, and they need us!

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Great Western Air Ambulance Charity: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) provide a critical care and air ambulance service for 2.1 million people across the counties of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset and parts of Wiltshire. The charity has been operating for 10 years. Our crew attend the most critical incidents across the region by helicopter or by one of our two critical care cars. When someone is seriously ill or injured time is of the essence, and they need expert help