Whiteroseequine

30/06/2024

“I caught up with Laura Burrell who is well and truly on the road to recovery after a nasty accident that saw her hospitalized for weeks. Laura and Classie wanted to show people that she is ok and will be back on horse back soon but also that horses can be dangerous.”

Thank you Paul Campbell

29/06/2024

Thank you Paul Campbell for your time yesterday was lovely to see you as always ☺️❤️

27/06/2024

Injury update-

I’m out of Hospital and have been out for 1 week, I have been loving being out and about and back in the real world. I still have a lot of recovering left to do, especially with my walking.

Last night Parklane (Parker) won his race one of Luke’s geldings, was such a thrill! So proud of them both, feels like an understatement.

It’s so nice being able to do stuff with the horses again! Can’t wait to be back in New Zealand next week!

27/06/2024

❤️❤️

23/06/2024

So thankful and lucky is an understatement ❤️

22/06/2024

Front cover .. oops!

So grateful to the Ballarat courier for such a wonderful interview experience

21/06/2024

A track rider and stablehand kicked in the head by a racehorse in Ballarat eight weeks ago has finally been discharged from hospital, and returned home to a big surprise.
Laura Burrell was flown to hospital and spent a week in a coma and a further five weeks 'asleep' following the incident at the Ciaron Maher Racing stables in Miners Rest on April 30.
She had moved from New Zealand to Australia just four weeks earlier to take on a new job, leaving her beloved ex-harness racing horse Classie behind with future plans to fly him over to join her.

This week she returned from the Royal Melbourne Hospital to her Ingliston home, near Ballan, and found her partner, harness racing trainer Luke Tabone, had flown Classie over as a welcome-home surprise.

The pair were reunited on Thursday June 20, just hours after she was discharged.
That night she also travelled to Shepparton to watch a horse Mr Tabone had running, and on Friday morning she travelled to Ballarat to visit the stables where her accident happened.

"I just want to get back to normal," she said.
Ms Burrell was kicked in the face while working in the stable, leaving her with extensive facial and head injuries. "Every day that I wake up I can feel my body get stronger. It's a positive, if anything. It was a freak accident that has made me so grateful."
She was in a coma for a week, then classed as 'asleep' until about two and a half weeks ago.
"I was talking to my family, my parents, flatmate and cousin but I can't remember that. I was conscious but what they class as asleep and can't remember anything until about two and a half weeks ago," she said.

The accident has left her relying on a leg brace to walk properly "because my brain has forgotten how" and some weakness in her right hand. She has a scar from her eye to her nose following surgery, and one eye appears smaller than the other though her vision has recovered. Her memory has slowly returned, though she has no memory of the accident and the two days before.
At first she could only remember a trip to Luna Park that she took a week before the accident, and thought her injuries must have resulted from a fall from a roller coaster. "My head has started to piece things back together from what people have said, and what my partner told me, but essentially I don't remember anything up to two days before. I'll eventually ask to watch the CCTV but not right now," she said.

The freak accident has left Ms Burrell "more thankful than ever" for her life and determined to continue working in the industry she loves.

"It made me realise life is so short and I want to be employed doing something I love - and that's riding and dealing with horses," she said.

"I really want to take this accident as a wake up call and hope it's a wake up call for everyone.
"I think we become so comfortable around horses when we are with them that we forget they are capable of hurting us just as much as they are capable of hurting themselves," she said.
Ms Burrell had only moved from New Zealand to Ballarat at the start of April. "I've spent more time in hospital than outside hospital," she laughed.

She will continue to undergo physiotherapy and start occupational therapy but is expected to make a full recovery.

Walking next to her as she recovers will be her beloved Classie, who until Thursday night she had not seen since the end of March.
"He's my best mate and I love him to pieces. The fact he's in Australia is so crazy ... it was the surprise of a lifetime," she said.
"I plan on just hanging out with him as we both settle in to routine.
"Doctors haven't really advised me of a particular time (before I can ride) but I'm going to wait ... I'm going to give myself plenty of time to heal. I'm very impatient normally but I'm patient now and I'm just so grateful to be here but my standardbred Classie is the perfect horse for me."

Classie, who was a harness racer in New Zealand racing under the name Classie Brigade, won 21 races including the Kaikoura Cup three years in a row and won close to $600,000.
When he retired in 2022 Ms Burrell retrained him as a riding horse and together they advocate for the lives of standardbred horses (harness racers) after racing.
"I'm always always so proud and excited to share our adventures together. To even potentially have the opportunity to continue our story is beyond surreal," she wrote on a New Zealand fundraising page.
She does not blame anyone, or the horse, for the accident and believes everything happens for a reason.
"We don't take things for granted any more," she said. "I was sitting with my cousin in a cafe (on day release from hospital) and it was such a big deal ... I realised we take so much for granted but not any more."

21/06/2024

My accident;

A woman hospitalised after she was kicked in the face by a horse at a Ballarat racing property remains in a critical condition.

Emergency services responded just before 10am on Tuesday to a horse kicking a 22-year-old New Zealand woman in the face at the Ciaron Maher Racing property in Miners Rest.

A statement from Ambulance Victoria said Advanced Life Support and Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedics assessed one patient at the scene.
The woman was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

On Wednesday morning, the hospital confirmed she remained in a critical state.
A spokesperson for Ciaron Maher Racing said the company did not wish to comment yet.

Ciaron Maher’s brother Declan referenced the incident after their horse, Alakahan, won the first race at Warrnambool on Tuesday.

Maher said he wished the young woman all the best, saying she was kicked in the face by a horse.

He described it as a very nasty incident, and that the stable’s thoughts were with her and her family. “Unfortunately there’s a person over the road from our stable at Ballarat this morning got a little kick, got a bad kick from a horse in the face,” he said.

“She’s not in a great place and best wishes to her family and all (her) stable and even our stable because they were there working this morning and they’ve witnessed the whole thing.

“Thoughts are with them and hopefully everything works out.”

Emma Fouchard from Forge Lodge, a different stable in Miners Rest — and where the injured woman works — said she was thinking of her employee and hoped she made a speedy recovery.

It’s understood the woman was visiting the Ciaron Maher stables when the incident occurred.

WorkSafe will investigate.

21/06/2024

Fresh off the press

My accident has been major news in Australia so a newspaper came out today to do an article with me. Here are some images they took.

Every time I see Classie out the window I feel like I’m in a dream! So surreal. Safe to say I have the best boyfriend getting him on a flight for me.

Classie flew from New Zealand to Australia on Wednesday.

20/06/2024

Today I was discharged from hospital and I arrived home to a very special surprise Mr Classie bear.

I am so very short of words to say, I’m absolutely shocked.

Thank you to my partner Luke for arranging such a special surprise and all that were involved! So so shocked!

Welcome to Australia Classie ❤️

16/06/2024

Hello everyone,

I’m planning on coming back to New Zealand for a week in a couple weeks! There are so many people that I’d love to see/ would love to see me.

Would it be easier if I;

(A) arranged to have a ‘get together’

Or B

(B) did individual meetings with people

Kind regards, Laura.

15/06/2024

❤️❤️ Crawford Hill - Equestrian Jewellery

12/06/2024

Not the photos I wanted to share but I think it’s important for people to release the severity.

I’m so thankful for my life, more thankful than ever. Shoutout to my incredible family for flying over from New Zealand to Melbourne when I had this accident and to my partner Luke for his ongoing incredible support.

Unfortunately at the end of April I was kicked in the head by a horse and helicoptered to hospital where I was put in a coma, I was ‘asleep’ for 6 weeks.

I am still in hospital but hoping for release soon.

Love you all a lot. Laura

10/06/2024

Hi guys its Laura,

Unfortunately I was involved in an accident and have had a severe head injury, I was unconscious for 5 weeks but have gained consciousness.

I don’t remember much, but I know that I love you all a lot. Thank you for the messages means the world.

Lots of love, Laura.

16/04/2024

How cool are these photos from today 😍!

Victoria is so beautiful ⛰️.. this arena has serious views!

Featuring Sheriff (one of my clients horses) he’s a quarter horse who has been showing some behavioural issues, so is stuck hanging out with me for a little while.

He’s such a cutie 🙌🏼..

📸// EJD Photography (Thank you so much!)

15/04/2024

Turns out I have an accent 👀..

Loving the change in Country.. but not too sure if the country loves me, very few seem to understand me 😂..

Brb off to put my horses ‘duvet’ on and give him some grass hay

11/04/2024

You know how I moved to Australia.. and was thinking my rehoming ex racehorse days may be over..

Well.. 👀

Well..

Introducing Mavis (Brown standardbred) & Stella (Chestnut Thoroughbred) 😍..

I was very fortunate to find a fantastic woman in Ballarat who has amazing facilities and a beautiful herd of rescued horses that she would like to find homes for! Will keep me very busy!

Can take the girl out of the country.. but not the ‘love of rehoming’ out of the girl.. 🙌

Oops.. exciting times continue 🫶

06/04/2024

Safe to say Classie is making the most of his down time back in New Zealand 🇳🇿

Rocking the Dad bod..

How lucky is he to be getting so well looked after by Mae ( Adrenaline Equestrian ) !! So so so thankful he couldn’t be in better hands !

While Classie is chilling back home I’ve been busy working at my new stable and trying to navigate Victoria 🇦🇺🙌.. been a great first week!

04/04/2024

A happy girl and her over sized pony,
can’t wait to have Classie over the ditch with me 🇦🇺🫶

📸// .williamsphotography

02/04/2024

Forever counting my lucky stars that I have this beautiful boy,

Little did I know starting in the harness racing industry (Diamond Racing Stables) would lead me on such a special journey, introducing me to my best mate. The most wonderful wee horse ‘Classie Brigade’

I’m very impatiently counting down the days till I can have him back outside my window 🇦🇺🫶.. so incredibly thankful for the support and generosity Classie and I have received in getting him over to Australia. It’s unreal.

Classie and I were fortunate to win a shoot with the incredibly talented Neil Williams Photography last month.

We decided to do the shoot at a place that means so much to the two of us ‘Woodend Beach’ -where Classie trained as a race horse and where I have spent the past two years working (with the gallopers & trotters) and of course where Classie and I have spent most weekends 🌊❤️..

Huge thank you to Mae Reeves / Adrenaline Equestrian for glamming us both up and running around after us both all evening. Legend! 🫶

and to the amazing Crawford Hill - Equestrian Jewellery for decking me out in some of your beautiful gold range! Beyond spoilt.

31/03/2024

24/03/2024

Had a productive week in Melbourne.. arrived here to confirm a job and leaving with a starting date.

Currently heading back to Christchurch before heading back to Melbourne next Sunday.. as I start work in Ballarat on the Monday 🏇.. (crazy!)

Classie will be spending at least a month at home (in Okuku) without me 🥹.. being looked after by my incredible friends.. until I am settled/ feel like it’s a good time for him to fly over ✈️

Thank you to everyone who contributed to helping me be able to bring him over, I’m so so so overwhelmed and thankful! We are very lucky.

Terrified is an understatement.. but so excited.. the reception I have received in Australia so far has been incredible ❤️🇦🇺

Life’s too short not to take risks/ jump at new opportunities ..

See you again very soon Melbourne 👀🇦🇺..

18/03/2024

If anyone is looking.. 👀

My wildtrak will be officially hitting the market within the next week

2017 4WD Ford Ranger Wildtrak
100,###kms
Serviced every 10,000kms

🥹🎻.. ✈️🇦🇺

13/03/2024

Thank you for all the lovely Birthday messages 🥰..
(2️⃣3️⃣🫣..)

Been a busy ‘Birthday Week’ feel so fortunate to be surrounded by so many incredible people 🫶! I’ve been so spoilt.

Spent the day riding around on the racehorses, surrounded by my fantastic work colleagues 🥰.. and the evening with family.

Busy week far from over- as heading back to Melbourne on Sunday ✈️..

12/03/2024

Fear not equestrians… turns out holey boots and dirty clothes may be ‘in trend’ afterall 🤷🏼‍♀️🫣😂..

11/03/2024

This absolute dude is still waiting VERY patiently at our stables for a human 🥹🥰..

11/03/2024

Early last month my rehabilitation mare ‘Zanny’ also landed herself the most perfect home.

*please note she didn’t retire off the track in this condition*

Rehabilitating horses is always a risky game, it took months.. and months and a huge village of support!

Tons of good feeding ( Seahorse Supplements ), kind neighbours who donated their grassy paddocks, hours spent combing out lice and pampering her coat, taking her on hand walks.. and huge generosity from good friends who donated rugs, hoof trims and time 🫶

It’s always a huge financial and emotional burden taking on these projects, but she is the sweetest, most beautiful mare! I am so pleased with the turnaround she made.

Zanny landed herself the most FANTASTIC home where I receive regular updates, she has begun her ridden work (I never rode her) and as expected is being the most perfect pony.

She left me still as a rehabilitation project, she still needed some more meat on her bones and A LOT of muscle, but her new owner couldn’t have been a better person for her.

With Zanny landing herself a home, it means I have rehomed/ rehabbed 2️⃣8️⃣ horses on my ‘own’ (from home) the wonderful ‘ Copper Creek Quarter Horses ‘ since leaving Stable To Stirrup/ alongside working full time!

I’m so thankful to the many people who have supported my journey rehoming ex racehorses, it has truly been the HARDEST but most rewarding work I have done in my career.

The support I have had in the world of rehoming has been insane, from the incredible racing stables/ race horse owners/ breeders, to the lovely people who follow me, to my amazing friends who donate so much time! To the lovely people who purchase these horses and offer them the best retirements.

We don’t give racehorses enough credit, they make the most FANTASTIC hacks/ sport horses.

I will always love watching them excel in their racing careers but I’m going to forever be as equally passionate about helping them on to their retired journeys 🫶

Incredibly thankful to the Dennehy family Copper creek quarter horses for allowing me to bring so many extra ponies home with open arms!

I’ve gone from having an average of 8 horses at home, to just my boy Classie, it’s the most surreal, empty feeling! (I think he’s loving all the extra attention though 🫣🥰..)

I’m sure this isn’t the end of my rehoming days, in Australia I’ll still be very involved in the racing industry.. we know how bad I am at saying ‘no’ to retired horse.