Thibault Fournier,24, is a professional rider from France. On 28 October 2018, he became the youngest rider to win the “Les étoiles de Pau CCI***, the only four-star event in France. Unfortunately, nearly a year later Fournier was injured really bad in a cross country fall at Pompadour Horse Trials. The ambulance aircrew rapidly airlifted him to a hospital in Limoges but he fell into a coma immediately whilst his seven-year-old gelding was not injured.
Ten days after the accident occurred, Fournier’s mother updated fans all over the world with the good news: The rider was no longer under respiratory assistance and was making little improvements day by day. In Les étoiles de Pau CCI***’s event of this year, all the competitors wore orange armbands for the final showjumping phase to honor the talented young rider.
Updates following the french rider are posted regularly on his Facebook page. On 2nd November an update said that Fournier had started walking by little steps and his rehabilitation had already begun. Thibault Fournier said: “Thanks again for all your kind regards, your words, and all these orange armbands that made him whisper ‘c’est trop gentil’ (it’s too gentle).”
The brilliant rider has been in a coma since October, but progress updates posted on his Facebook page are always showing that he is making positive steps. These past days Thibault has been very tired but he couldn’t resist going to the stables to say hello to his horses.This was an incredible moment of emotion and happiness for him but also his family and fans all over the world.
