NIKITA BERIMAN BACK AFTER A FRUSTRATING, SEVEN MONTH INJURY ENFORCED LAYOFF

By Graham Potter | Monday, January 29, 2024

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 ... that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman has been out of the saddle with a shoulder injury.

That’s a long time in the life of a jockey, but, like most riders, how long an injury takes to heal is merely part of the process to get back into the saddle with that end result seldom being in question.

Beriman is no exception, although if you asked her how she was doing as recently as Christmas you would not have received a particularly positive answer.

“Christmas day, I couldn’t lift my arm, and I was like ... book me in for the surgery,” said Beriman.

“I had been avoiding surgery. They wanted to shave the bone to stop the impingement ... cut my bicep and reattach it to the bone ... but that would have been twelve months off, and I don’t have twelve months to spare.

“Between July and Christmas. I was back and forth to the specialist. I did not touch a horse ... couldn’t even lead a horse because I had only twenty percent rotation in my arm. I couldn’t twist from my elbow outwards.

“But then, a week after Christmas ... don’t ask me how ... I woke up one morning and I was fine and ready to go.

“I never thought I’d be out that long. I think I said at the time it would be three weeks and I would be back, but shoulders are obviously a tricky thing.

“I feel I’ve been pretty fortunate though because I’ve had a couple of other injuries that have taken its toll on me over time, you know I’m older now and mentally I can cope with it a lot better, whereas, before, racing consumed me so much.

“After having a four-year break and having my daughter, it put things in perspective, and it doesn’t consume me as much now ... that’s for sure.

“It was a last-minute decision to accept rides and comeback on January 26. I was excited to see how I would handle it and how my shoulder would go.

“I knew my shoulder felt good enough to come out and ride ... but nothing compares to race fitness. My first ride was over 1200m, and I had to ride it out from the 1000m, so it really tested my fitness.

“I was a bit rusty the first day. I was much better my second day.

“I’m feeling very good. I’m feeling fantastic actually.

“I’ve pulled up really well ... and I’m thankful that I’ve got support from trainers already.

“I just love horses ... and I’m an ultra-competitive person. I love competing so it is great to be back. When it is in your blood, and you love it so much ... you can’t get it out.

“Horses give you a will to live ... just everything about a horse is incredible. They are just magnificent animals.”

More articles