Positive attitude

A jockey who had been set to ride in this year’s prestigious Cheltenham Festival
five years after sustaining a brain injury in a fall has had a second set-back
but is retaining her positive attitude.

Following her second serious head injury in five years, Jess Westwood, 21, was airlifted after a Cothelstone fall in mid-March. But she is retaining a positive attitude
and although she no longer holds a licence to ride professionally she already
has clear plans for her future.

Jess was originally injured following a fall from a horse when she was 15. She had
had a remarkable recovery and was set to race alongside against horses
including those owned by the Queen and other high profile owners.

She was to do so on a horse which she bought with her parents and was due to
compete in the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase – which is considered to be the
amateur version of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It is run over the same course and
distance as the professional race. Jessica had been successful with Monkerty
Tunkerty and they won their first race together in December 2010. The
nine-year-old gelding then went on to win three of his next four races, which
saw him qualify for the Foxhunter Chase on the final day of the Cheltenham
Festival.

Unfortunately pair didn’t have the chance to repeat their success at the Festival as a bruised foot for Monkerty Tunkerty meant he was withdrawn from the race.

Her second brain injury occurred in March and Jess will no longer be able to hold a
Jockey’s Licence. But having already trained and ridden a winner under Rules,
Jess has now set her sights on training and is hoping to take out a permit in
due course.

It has been reported that Jess will undergo specialist treatment at a neuro
rehabilitation clinic in Germany and plans to return to work as soon as
possible.