BEST wishes for a speedy recovery to Bernie Foley who, last Thursday fortnight, found out the hard way that there is only ever going to be one sufferer when a human face collides with a horse’s hoof.

“I was sick of riding in the mud so I thought I would just give (Kiltubrid) Danny a lunge that day instead,” said the Dressage Ireland List 2a judge. “I have no idea what happened but I got a kick straight in the face and the pain was absolutely shocking. My jaw was shattered on both sides and I had a lot of loose teeth.

“My friends called for an ambulance which brought me to the Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where they kept me overnight. The next day I was transferred to the National Maxillofacial Unit at St James’s where they operated on me on the Saturday and let me go home three days later. I have to say, the surgeon did an amazing job.

“Though I really don’t know what happened I keep getting little flashbacks and, the more I think about it, I realise how lucky I really was as things could have been a lot worse. I had the stitches out last Friday and don’t have to go back for a check-up until March 22nd.”

South Munster Dressage Starfinder Competition at Millstreet, from left, Bernie Foley, Judge; Kara Madden; Niamh Verkade, Jessica Grogan (Winner); Siofra Marsh; Joan Aherne, Judge; Marie Hennessy, Chair South Munster Dressage

While she is taking it easy, recuperating at home, the cooking skills of her husband Gerry haven’t been put under any kind of pressure. “I’m on a liquid diet for six weeks,” said Bernie whose many friends, from all sectors, have rallied around to provide her with anything she needs. She hopes it won’t be too long before she is back out judging.

“I was hoping to go to the British Dressage premier league show (March 5th to 10th) at Myerscough (College) for judges’ training but that won’t be happening. However, I should be fine for the Dressage Ireland winter finals in early April.”

In addition to judging, and eating properly, Bernie is also looking forward to swinging her clubs on the golf course and, after that, getting back into the saddle before too long.