31 October 2011 Richard Hawkins- mucking in (and out!) at the family yard as recovery progresses
by Carolyn Tanner
Richard Hawkins, who suffered serious head injuries in a fall at Taunton in April, is reported by his mother Trudy to be making very good progress as his recovery continues at their Somerset home.
"He's walking well, and his speech is getting better, although his right hand, and his right side generally, are not yet 100%," she said. "He's got to be doing something the whole time - he's never been able to sit still," she added, and so he's happily back on mucking-out duty at the family's yard!
Richard, who spent a week at Oaksey House, is hoping to get his driving licence back in the near future, but riding will have to be put on hold a little longer. Although he would like to get back on a horse, it has been recommended that he wait a year from the time of his accident, but such is his determination that he has a slightly earlier date in his sights.
Richard is not the only member of the family currently grounded, as elder brother Giles has joined a growing list of jockeys on the sidelines - not because of a whip ban but due to breaking his collarbone in a recent Chepstow fall.
The Point-to-Point community has closely followed the progress of Richard, and that of Isabel Tompsett, also seriously injured in a fall at Fakenham in May, and has generously supported fundraising efforts around the country in aid of the pair and the Injured Jockeys' Fund. The Amateur Jockeys' Association Christmas Dance at Cheltenham on December 3rd will be held in aid of both Isabel and Richard, ensuring a night of fund-raising and frivolity! Further information can be found here.
