Gosh thats sounds really serious, I hope she is all right.
I can't help wondering if she had a hat on, I'm terrible for not bothering. We were at the sunshine tour today and not many were hatted up there either.
Dressage people please WEAR HATS!! The reason I always wear one is because I've been on a horse when it has fallen over...when cantering a 20m circle. It was not fun but I was wearing a hat. Even if you don't think you'll fall off, just wear one incase!! Dressage might be low risk but it certainly isn't no risk!
I understand it's a little unsympathetic but my first thought was "HAT?"
If it turns out she was wearing a hat, then I am gutted for her and her family. Unfortunately if she wasn't then, it's still a horrible thing to happen and I wish her nothing but the best, but she wasn't taking proper care of herself.
There is definitely an attitude, especially among dressage riders that:
(a) you don't need to wear a hat because you're not jumping
(b) you don't need to wear a hat because you're not going to fall off because you are the world's most incredible rider
(c) you don't need to wear a hat because it's more important to look pretty and show your pony tail bobbing about
Would we ride our horses in ill-fitting tack? Neglect to put boots or bandages on? Ride in a totally unsuitable bit? Gallop on hard ground? No: yet some of us choose to take the least care of the most important part of all: our brains.