On track to recovery

DESIREE Gill might be sick of yoghurt and mashed potato and would kill for a steak, but the jockey was thanking her lucky stars.

BACK IN THE SADDLE: Gympie jockey Desiree Gill is recovering well after being kicked in the face by a horse. Picture: Craig Warhurst / Gympie Times

DESIREE Gill might be sick of yoghurt and mashed potato and would kill for a steak, but the jockey was thanking her lucky stars she was wearing a helmet when kicked in the head by a horse she was saddling two weeks ago.

The horrific accident happened on July 20 when Gill was saddling Burnett Dancer a horse trained by Gill's husband, Barry.

Unexpectedly, Burnett Dancer bit Gill and then swung around and kicked out.

Gill's jaw took the full impact of the horses hoof, smashing it. The force of the kick propelled her through the stable door and the back of her head slammed onto the concrete floor.

The hoop was flown to Royal Brisbane Hospital to have reconstructive surgery.

In a three-hour operation she had six titanium plates inserted in her jaw, but said things could have been a lot worse.

Gill said her skull cap protected her head as it smashed into concrete after being launched across the stable.

“It saved my life, I would have had serious head injuries,” she said.

Yesterday, Gill was itching to get back in the saddle and showed little outwards signs of the recent drama.

“The surgeons have done a marvellous job,” Gill said.

“There is not much scaring they did key-hole surgery.

“If you didn't know what happened, you wouldn't know,” she said.

Gill's main problem is a few missing teeth and the fact she can't eat steak for another six weeks, but she did wish to thank everyone who sent their best wishes while she was in hospital.

“I have had so many calls and flowers,” she said.

Originally published as On track to recovery