William Fox-Pitt

MyBoyChe said:
Oh thank goodness for something more encouraging. Like a lot of sportsmen, hopefully his overall fitness and strength will be a huge positive in his recovery.
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Yes, let's hope so. Get well William.

It was nice to see Ben Hobday post pics of himself on a horse again this week. I'm sure his drive and the wave of support helped him. Let's hope it does for William..
 
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This came up on my Facebook 'on this day' thread today...... Pau 2013, proof if we ever needed it how great WFP is.

I doubt we will ever see this again, but still sending all possible positive thoughts for a healthy recovery
 
There are many, many admirers of WFP here in N.America ( in the U.S. and Canada both) and we are, all of us, following the news closely and wishing him and his family (and fans) all the best.

Sending healing thoughts and strength to the all the Fox-Pitts, from the U.S.A.
 
Just posted on BE website

30/10/2015 update regarding William Fox-Pitt

William's condition has improved enough for him to be moved out of the intensive care unit.

He remains in hospital in France. His family remain hugely grateful to the fantastic team looking after him and to everyone for all the messages and support.

This update follows the news that on Saturday 17th October William and his horse Reinstated fell during the cross country phase of the 2015 World Championships for Young Horses in Le Lion d’Angers (France).

For press information please email the BEF press office.
 
Driving home this afternoon I heard the first mention of William on the radio 2 news. They said he had been moved out of intensive care following his fall 2 weeks ago, but nothing more. Such a positive step, his family must be absolutely thrilled and relieved. Lets hope things continue to move on for him now.
 
MyBoyChe said:
Driving home this afternoon I heard the first mention of William on the radio 2 news. They said he had been moved out of intensive care following his fall 2 weeks ago, but nothing more. Such a positive step, his family must be absolutely thrilled and relieved. Lets hope things continue to move on for him now.
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Echo this MBC, I'm still keeping everything crossed by this does sound more positive :)
 
Another update today.

http://www.foxpitteventing.co.uk/news/04112015152239-william---update-4-november/

WILLIAM - UPDATE 4 NOVEMBER
04-November-2015
William continues to make steady progress, and his recovery is going to take time. He remains in hospital in France.

Once again the family are hugely grateful to the team who are looking after him, and also to everyone who has sent messages of support.
 
Thank you for posting that. Im sure I cant be the only one who is worried by the silence :( I know they they have said progress will be slow and if there is nothing much to report updates are a bit samey but we have no idea really of how he is doing. William is such an ambassador for eventing and seems such a lovely person there must be lots of us really concerned and rooting for him to make a full and swift recovery. My thoughts are still with his entire family at this time x
 
MyBoyChe said:
Thank you for posting that. Im sure I cant be the only one who is worried by the silence :( I know they they have said progress will be slow and if there is nothing much to report updates are a bit samey but we have no idea really of how he is doing. William is such an ambassador for eventing and seems such a lovely person there must be lots of us really concerned and rooting for him to make a full and swift recovery. My thoughts are still with his entire family at this time x
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Nothing to add really, let's hope he can be transferred back to England soon to make things a bit easier for his family, must be dreadful for them.
 
It really puts the sport into perspective. I truly hope he recovers well.

I know the fall was in relation to an owl hole obstacle. Does anyone know if that made the fall worse or if it was one of those falls that could have happened at any cross-country fence?
 
I believe some of his injuries where caused by the fact his back safety device failed to inflate, was badly attached or was simply defective I don't know, but it could not have helped the situation
We all hope he is getting better,health care is very good in France, I am sure he is well cared for and my thoughts are with him and his family.
In answer to wether the actual fence was at fault, no I don't think so, just one of those things.....It comes with the job.
 
marotelle said:
I believe some of his injuries where caused by the fact his back safety device failed to inflate, was badly attached or was simply defective I don't know, but it could not have helped the situation
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Where did you get that information from? It sounds like baseless rumours to me. If body injuries were what they were worried about, surely we would have a list of them, like 'William has fractured his x, y, and z and has a ruptured spleen and .... '

My understanding is that his main injury is a head injury, which is why we are not being told exactly what the problems are, because no-one yet knows how serious they will turn out long term.

Best wishes William and family and close connections at this worrying time. I hope you have him home with you soon.
 
marotelle said:
I believe some of his injuries where caused by the fact his back safety device failed to inflate, was badly attached or was simply defective I don't know, but it could not have helped the situation
We all hope he is getting better,health care is very good in France, I am sure he is well cared for and my thoughts are with him and his family.
In answer to wether the actual fence was at fault, no I don't think so, just one of those things.....It comes with the job.
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I'd be very careful about blaming some/all of his fall due to a faulty air jacket - could be seen as slander.
It sounds like a rumour that's doing the rounds.

All we know for sure is that he fell at the owl hole - whether the fence was the cause of the fall we don't know. Considering that Michael Jung broke his leg as a result of a horse slip in the water (i.e. Not connected to a jump) WFP's fall could easily have happened on the flat. For all we know, the air jacket could have saved him from more severe injuries.

They updates are slowly getting more positive and I hope they continue to be :)
 
Glad to hear things are looking on the up, its a long road, but I hope someone with WFPs obvious grit and determination can make the absolute best of everything that he can. I think much of recovery is physical, but a good portion is mental.

Is it just me, or normally are there more details on the fall? Normally its released as a rotational or whatever, but nothing seems to have been mentioned at all about the type of fall - I guess thats probably not important know, but I'm just curious.
 
If difficult to understand how a air jacket ( does WFP wear one ?) would contribute in any way to an head injury .
I hope there's better news soon .
I was told it was a rotational fall at an owl hole fence which sounds awful .
 
marotelle said:
I believe some of his injuries where caused by the fact his back safety device failed to inflate, was badly attached or was simply defective I don't know, but it could not have helped the situation
We all hope he is getting better,health care is very good in France, I am sure he is well cared for and my thoughts are with him and his family.
In answer to whether the actual fence was at fault, no I don't think so, just one of those things.....It comes with the job.
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What a crazy assumption to make!!! I am surprised its been left on here .
Air Jackets are not designed to protect against head injuries, even if they were there are many situations were they will not work and most of these to be totally blunt are when your life is in most danger ie rotational falls! That is why they cannot be your only back protection.
 
stencilface said:
Is it just me, or normally are there more details on the fall? Normally its released as a rotational or whatever, but nothing seems to have been mentioned at all about the type of fall - I guess thats probably not important know, but I'm just curious.
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Perhaps they are still investigating the cause for the fall. I'm not speculating on the cause, but I'd imagine if it was anything suspected about the design or siting of the fence etc having any factor in it, they'd want to conclude any investigations and discussions about that before releasing any information? I think BE in particular have tightened up on their policy about releasing information when there's bad news in recent years. I should imagine FEI would be similar.
Similarly, if it was just one of those things, then there's not much information to impart :(.

Keeping everything crossed for William and his family. He's been such a fantastic ambassador for the sport, I desperately hope for him that he will make a full recovery.
 
stencilface said:
Is it just me, or normally are there more details on the fall? Normally its released as a rotational or whatever, but nothing seems to have been mentioned at all about the type of fall - I guess thats probably not important know, but I'm just curious.
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I wondered this too. A rotational at a brush fence would be unusual but I am only assuming the owl hole would be brush. I'm only speculating because fall information can be so vital in making the sport safer.

Wishing William and his family all the best.
 
Its only because in my head I think tall rider with head injury + owl hole + young horse = overjump and head into the top of the owl hole! Probably completely wrong!

I think they've done well to keep it quiet though to be honest, as its likely there are pics/vids somewhere that thankfully are not public.
 
There was a post from a French couple who saw the accident. Frustratingly, while I think my French isn't too bad, I could not accurately translate it. The horse made a mistake and I "think" it was a rotational fall as the horse hesitated. Then I tell myself what happened is irrelevant and none of my business. There probably isn't a great deal that can be said with a head injury so I prefer to think positively and wish him home, in good health, with his family very shortly. Eventing has not had a great time of it with Andrew Nicholson, Ben Hobday and now WFP. Heres hoping Mr WFP follows the recovery of the others.
 
We had already left, as I had my own horses to attend. This year the Owl was on a very steep descent actually parallel with the cow shed, where horses have to jump off the roof. I am scared just watching them I hope he is soon on the road to recovery. Le Lion is a great event to watch but I hate to see horses or riders hurt.
 
A PS, whilst I know that having him home with family will be good for all. The CHU in Angers is a top class University Hospital. The WHO vote France has having one of the best health care systems in the world. The hospital health care we receive in France equates to the best of NHS and Private Health care combined in the UK...without the waiting lists.
 
Having watched W F-P make a recent and worrying number of novice course errors, and considering this heavy fall and his age, I wonder if retirement from active riding may be on the cards. Such a shame if I'm right, he's an ambassador for all aspects of equestrian life, and I suspect a decent man too. He's most certainly highly respected.

Right, think positive; Come on William, best foot forward!!

Alec.
 
Just a comment regarding him traveling home, as someone who suffered a brain bleed whilst abroad, I know first hand that it is very dangerous to fly someone with a brain bleed/swelling/risk of stroke injury unless it is required for their own safety (eg. they need transferring to a different facility). The concerns are mostly around pressure - sometimes the safest way to do it is to fly at low altitude but that usually requires slower speeds meaning the patient is in air for longer and therefore at risk longer! Furthermore the costs involved are extortionate (private plane, pilot, co-pilot, doctor, nurse and paramedic were needed in my case) and his insurers are likely to prefer him to stay in France where the medical care is perfectly good! He would also need to get a lot of clearance from various people before he could fly on a commercial flight (again I've had to jump through that hoop!).

As ever my thoughts are with William, his family, friends and team.
 
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