British event rider Bubby Upton won the CCI4*-L at Defender Bramham Horse Trials last week for the second year in a row. The 27-year-old spoke about her third back surgery in November 2025 and ongoing recovery from a 2023 injury.
Upton suffered serious spinal injuries in a fall in August 2023. She underwent her third back surgery last November after a rod in her back snapped in July.
She credited surgeon Dr Ivan Timofeev with performing all three operations. Upton said she now relies on muscle strength through Pilates and gym work to maintain function.
Upton described feeling like a new person since the latest surgery. She is riding nine to 11 horses a day pain-free and is off painkillers for the first time in two and a half years.
The accident occurred away from competition, which helped her separate it mentally from the sport. Upton noted the horses provided crucial support during her recovery.
