A horse which helped his North Yorkshire owner regain a normal life after she lost a leg is in the running for a top award.

RIDE ON: Judi Fisk back riding out again with her Welsh gelding Copper

Judi Fisk, 49, of Lockton, near Pickering, was riding her beloved Copper, a Welsh gelding, when she was kicked by a mare at her Mistling Croft Riding Centre.

She endured 22 painful operations over four years to try to mend her shattered left leg, but it had to be amputated below the knee late last year.

Only three weeks later, Judi put her trust in Copper and took up riding again. Her husband James invented a special leather pouch to support the stump of her leg, and the design was made up by a local saddler.

Judi, who was forced to close her riding holiday business following the accident, said:

"Copper has always been there for me and has helped me through all the pain.

"After I had my accident, Copper stayed close by me on the moor while I waited for the ambulance."

Judi added: "Copper is my friend and he has been so patient, giving me the confidence to ride again. He has had to adapt to me riding differently, but he has been brilliant."

Her heroic horse has now won a place in the final of Horse magazine's Horse of the Year competition. Amanda Stevenson, the magazine's editor, said: "Getting back into the saddle after such a terrible accident takes a lot of courage and Judi has been able to put her faith in Copper." Readers will be asked to vote for their choice of 12 finalists In the August issue of Horse magazine, and the winner will be announced in September.

see COMMENT 'Gold for copper'

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