A little more than two years ago, professional rider Cassandra Kahle of Redfield Farm suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) when her horse fell during a jumper class at HITS Ocala’s Post Time Farm.
On Sunday, the last day of the 2024 winter series there, she returned to the ring where she had her accident and rode around a small course built so she could chase her demons by clearing those fences.
After her fall, she was in a coma for 18 days and had lost her ability to walk and talk. She recovered only after endless physical therapy and extreme determination, with her mother, Natasha Brash, always at her side to help.
Handling that special course at HITS was an incredibly emotional moment, not only for her, but also for her family, friends and fans at ringside who knew what she had been through, and what it took to bring her back to her life’s work.
Cassie at Devon several years before the accident. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Her employer, Emil Spadone of Redfield, was among those who had helped the 31-year-old native of British Columbia along the way.
On her Facebook page, she recounted what it was like to return to the scene of such a life-changing event and conquer her demons.
Cassie explained, “I have been struggling and find myself at a loss for words to warrant the gravity that this post deserves.”
She thanked announcer and judge Matt Brayman for his support, and the team at HITS “for organizing this incredible momentous moment for me. I have dreamt of the day I could return to the show ring since my fall two years, one month and 25 days ago.
“But I have had the goal of this particular class and this particular moment for the past five months. Since I set this goal, I have had this burning desire inside me that I knew I had to complete it.”
Cassie and her supporters. (ESI Photography)
She continued, “I can talk about the struggle and work I have done every day to achieve this moment, but that is another story. What feels important in the moment now is to simply say thank you. First of all, to the team at HITS and what you did for me was so much more than what I had hoped this moment would be. At the end of the last day of the 10-week circuit, a .65-meter course was built in the stadium where I had my fall. It has been my personal goal to overcome such a traumatic event but also to change the way I look back at the ring that has symbolized my home base for the past 10 years. I did not want my last ride in that ring to be a tragedy.”
“When I stepped through the ingate and saw the crowd that had gathered to support me and heard Matt’s voice announce my name and my longtime partner’s name, Pyrenes De Louzes, like so many times before, a realization came over me that was singular to that moment. I couldn’t be nervous because I had already won.
“I was riding the most important horse of my career through the gate where my life had so changed, with a crowd of the most amazing supporters backing me. To the team at HITS, I thank you.
“To everyone who was there and to everyone who has offered their support one way or another over this long journey, my gratitude is forever yours. To my family for flying out to be here with your unwavering support so you could be there to experience this with me, I am filled with so much love for you. To Emil, Darby and Maari, thank you for caring for my Pie so he was ready to carry me to another major victory. To my boyfriend Willem, thank you for being my lighthouse and lighting my way on this journey. And to the Pie. I have wondered what I would do when we landed off the last jump and crossed the finish line, would I pump my fist in the air? Would I cheer?”
Actually, she simply hugged her horse’s neck.
“The only feeling I had was a heartfelt gratitude and a knowing that it was all for you. You have seen me through thick and thin, taught me the ups and downs of the game and what it takes to be a true horsewoman and a good sport. We experienced my lowest lows in competition but you also carried me to my most precious victories. Thank you, Pyro. for being my horse. I can’t imagine a more beautiful moment to wish you a happy retirement.
And so, one book of my life is closed and it is time for another to open.”
Cassie Kahle has a special smile. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Cassie had cited what Matt Brayman wrote, so here it is: “Sometimes we get to remember why we do what we do. I remember judging a class a couple years ago when Cass had her accident. I remember thinking nothing but `get up, Cassie. Get up.’
“That moment will never leave me. I quit judging for a month or two after that, but never stopped following her story. Every day. `Get up, Cassie, get up.’
“I don’t mean to compare my struggle with hers. I’m a millionth, at best, of the struggle and the fight she’s endured. I’m not sure there’s anyone I admire more following the road back. And the courage this lady showed coming back in the ring where it all happened. And here I was judging it again.
“Cassie, I can’t comprehend the work, the courage, the persistence it took for you to do what you did today. I’m not going to lie. Going across the ring in that area (fence 3) stopped my breathing, stopped my heart. I didn’t think it would be as emotional as it was. I had a great speech planned but couldn’t speak after word three or so. But in the end, it was all worth it.
“Understand in the end you not only chased your demons, you chased all our demons. Thanks for your will, thanks for your work, thanks for being you.”
