Claire Hitch’s Road to Recovery
When Claire Hitch walked into the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) Taunton hub with just her hiking poles, it was a powerful sign of how far she’s come since her life-changing fall in December 2023.
While riding the day after Boxing Day, Claire suffered a serious spinal injury after an unexpected fall. It was over an hour before she was found, lying in the rain, barely able to move. She was treated for both hypothermia and a spinal injury at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital before being transferred to Salisbury’s spinal unit.
Recovery was tough. At first, Claire couldn’t even feed herself. With the support of the ‘Injury Armour’ physio team—sometimes up to four times a week at IJF Taunton—plus week-long residential stays at Oaksey House, she began to see real progress. Gentle yoga sessions, adapted for her wheelchair, became an important part of rebuilding strength, balance, and confidence, complementing her intensive physiotherapy and keeping her motivated through the toughest days.
Claire talked about her experience and said:
“I have just been determined that I am going to do it. It hasn’t been easy, and my husband, Ed, has probably been through hell and back, but I haven’t sworn at him too much lately! If you are in sport, you probably have more determination, but every time I went to Oaksey House, I felt like I came away having made progress. They have the pool there and the anti-gravity treadmill, and I even did a couple of yoga classes.”
Claire’s recovery reached a special moment when she took her first steps by the side of the Taunton rugby pitch, holding the spectator rail and assisted by Jason and Ed. It was then, 10 months after her fall, that Claire could walk unassisted with her hiking poles
Since that pivotal point in her recovery, Claire has made remarkable progress —walking again and returning to her passion for training horses. Refusing to let adversity define her, she set her sights on rebuilding both her yard and her future. With ongoing physical challenges, Claire recognised the need for extra support to manage the demands of a busy yard.
She reached out to Sheldrake Training, known for expertly matching apprentices with the right placements. We introduced her to Olivia Little, a local young woman with a strong hunting background, who has now begun her Level 2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship. Impressed by Olivia’s dedication and growth, Claire has since enrolled her young jockey, Janielee Edworthy, on the Level 3 Senior Groom Apprenticeship. Olivia and Janielee’s apprenticeships have shown Sheldrake coaching staff just how valuable these placements can be, creating a strong, productive, and lasting partnership between Sheldrake and Claire’s Racing Yard.
With the support of her husband Ed, the IJF, Sheldrake Training, and her local community, Claire continues to push ahead. She has trained a winner, regained her strength, and proved that resilience and the right support network can lead to remarkable recovery. She is a role model to our equine apprentices and the wider Sheldrake team. We applaud her unstoppable determination to achieve her career goals. More information about Claire Hitch Racing can be found on her website https://www.clairehitchracing.com.
Image credit:
Top left: Claire Hitch and Davy Stratton, Sheldrake Racing Development Lead
Top right/bottom left and bottom right: Sheldrake Apprentices JanieLee and Olivia
Bottom middle: Olivia Little riding a grey