As the 2016 Ontario Racing Under Saddle season begins RUS Ontario finds itself short one rider. 2014 Mohawk race winner Anna Humphris was seriously injured in a freak accident.
Earlier this year she was jogging a RUS prospect under saddle when the horse stumbled and knocked Anna askew in the saddle. As the pair struggled to regain forward motion Anna was pitched forward and her knee struck the track resulting in a shattered tibia plateau.
Humphris was taken to hospital where she learned how serious her injury was. The attending Doctor ordered immediate hospitalization, and surgery was scheduled quickly. With the best orthopaedic surgeon in Georgetown looking after Humphris she was given a sobering prognosis; she was facing 6-8 months of recovery and physiotherapy.
For a ‘go getter’ horsewoman like Humphris the prospect of not working and being house bound for the upcoming summer was tough enough, but the final statement from the surgeon was a punishing blow to the heart of a talented rider. Her chance of riding again in any saddle is very slim but her chance of racing under saddle is non-existent.
Humphris has spent years in the Standardbred business working for noted trainers like Ben Wallace, but her knowledge of horses goes much deeper. Humphris has exercised Thoroughbreds, showed Quarter horses and Dressage horses, and most recently run a successful breeding program.
For the 2016 RUS Ontario season Humphris will be watching from the sidelines. To be told you can no longer be a part of something you are passionate about is a tough blow for anyone, no matter what you do. And until healed she will be unable to continue working in the physically demanding industry she is a part of. She will be dealing with the ripples of this injury for a long time.
Friends of Anna have set out to help her financially by starting a ‘Go Fund Me’ page in order to get her through the next few months. As well, RUS Ontario will be organizing a fundraiser for late spring with all proceeds to benefit Humphris.
(RUS)