Kent-based dressage rider and trainer Alex Wyatt suffered a stroke at a competition in June, which temporarily left him partly paralysed. Despite the sudden health crisis and concerns about how to manage his business and care for his horses, Alex was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from friends and strangers alike, who raised nearly £10,000 through a JustGiving page to help keep his yard running. His recovery has been encouraging, with significant progress in mobility and function, and he has recently returned home and even sat on a horse again.

Alex highlighted the mental challenges of his experience as being harder than the physical ones and praised the community support that helped him through. He expressed hope that the equestrian community could foster more ongoing support networks to combat isolation and negativity within the industry. The generosity and kindness he received have been a vital part of his recovery, both practically and emotionally, reinforcing the importance of solidarity in the equestrian world.