Equestrian hero Jonty Evans and his beloved ‘people’s horse’ Art is set to make an emotional return to Belton International Horse Trials, at Grantham in Lincolnshire, on Saturday 30th March, less than a year after a horrific riding accident left him in a coma that doctors said he might never recover from.
The winner of the 2018 Lycetts Grantham Cup at Belton Horse Trials suffered a serious brain injury in a fall on the cross-country course at Tattersalls in Ireland, on 3rd June last year. He spent six weeks in a coma and medical professionals warned he might not survive, let alone walk or ride again.
But just eight months later Jonty has made a remarkable recovery. In September, his supporters were amazed and delighted when he made a walk-on appearance as the guest of honour at his own fundraising event, An EQuestion of Sport, at Osberton International Horse Trials, where BEDE Events raised over £10,000 for Jonty’s rehabilitation.
Jonty now raises funds for the David Foster Injured Riders Fund.
The popular Irish eventer previously hit the headlines in 2017, when he successfully crowdfunded £500,000 to buy his Rio 2016 Olympic horse, Cooley Rorkes Drift (aka ‘Art’) when the former owner decided to sell. It took just four weeks for fans to raise the money and Art now has thousands of devoted owners.
Stuart Buntine, Managing Director of BEDE Events, Organiser of several leading equestrian events, including Belton and Osberton, paid tribute to Jonty: “Jonty is a true legend and we are delighted that he has made such a remarkable recovery. We are looking forward to seeing him back at Belton. Eventing is a thrilling, but dangerous sport. We aim is to ensure we have provision set up for when accidents such as Jonty’s occur.”
