It has become abundantly clear that nothing is going to stop paralyzed jockey Alyssa Selman from riding again.
Three years ago, Selman, who was based at Assiniboia Downs, was paralyzed from the chest down after having been involved in a racing accident. The determined Selman started to drive a car again in January of 2017. The fierce rider worked her way back into a saddle this past fall.
Now, according to an update by the Manitoba Post, Selman is stretching out her trips.
Writer Scott Taylor caught up with Selman for an update earlier this month. What he discovered is that the driven ex-jock isn’t just riding on her farm near Carman.
Alyssa Selman, pictured leading her small group on an extended ride (Image courtesy Alyssa Selman / Manitoba Post)
“The other day, we did a full country block – one mile by one mile by one mile by one mile,” explained Selman, who goes on her journeys with her Paint-Belgian cross. Along with her sister, Selman also rides with her 10-year-old son, Amar.
“For me, the best thing is that I’ve started to gallop,” Selman said. “When I get bouncing around, it’s pretty tough because I don’t have my legs to support me and my insides get bouncing up and down, but it was nice to be able to do it. Riding is just so much fun.”
Even though she has made substantial progress and has overcome so much, Selman admits that it’s hard to watch races without wanting to be right there in the irons.
“It’s just really hard,” she explained. “It’s hard to watch. I’d so much rather be on the horses than watching them.”
(With files from the Manitoba Post)