CELEBRITY BODYGUARD SAYS HORSE GAVE HER LIFE PURPOSE AFTER STROKE

MUMSHAYNET EXCLUSIVE

Danielle Curzon has the kind of past that Hollywood films are made of.

Born into aristocracy if not wealth (her father is the 4th Viscount Scarsdale), she was a junior HOYS winner who enjoyed training sessions with such greats as Ian Woodhead and Laura Fry before falling out of love with the sport by the time she was 21.

Following the colourful divorce and life decisions of her parents, Danielle had a modest upbringing, taking up martial arts after horses, which led to a job in close protection.

For a few years, she worked as a bodyguard to celebrities such as Emma Watson, Goldie Hawn, Jodie Kidd, and Elijah Wood, before becoming a private investigator.

But then, a little over two years ago, Danielle’s life came to an abrupt halt, when the mum-of-one suffered a life-changing stroke, aged 38.

“I was sat on the floor in my bedroom, emptying out a cupboard full of hoodies,” recalls Danielle. “My right side then went totally strange. I couldn't feel it, from my head to my toe, but I could see it, if that makes sense?

“I emailed the doctors and asked my GP, and the doctor rang back immediately. Minutes later an ambulance was arrived.”

Difficult

Suspecting either a transient ischemic attack or a stroke, Danielle would ordinarily have been taken to hospital so that medics might administer a ‘stroke cocktail’ to normalise brain fluids and restore movement. However, paramedics ended up spending four hours at her side at her home in Market Rasen, Lincs.

“I suffer with stress-related anaphylaxis to any medications and toxins, which makes life in general really difficult,” explains Danielle.

This meant, Danielle could only wait and see how much movement she might get back, which happened to a degree some four hours later.

From an initial loss of 70% mobility that day two years ago, Danielle now has weakness measured at 30% - partly thanks to a GP who fought for her to get the physio she needed and a horse named Pleasureland AM, stable name Play.

“I had permanent muscle, nerve, and ligament damage in my right shoulder,” Danielle told MumsHaynet. “It was a nightmare, so I went to Malta for three months to try to recover, and that's where I reignited my passion for horses and fell in love with my stallion.

“I met Play at the Montekristo Estate in Malta almost as soon as I arrived. Imported from Italy, his owner didn't particularly get on with him, and he had sustained a small injury jumping. So, he was to be used mainly for dressage.

“I remember being in the outdoor arena at Montekristo, helping some of the Maltese riders, when Play came in. My jaw just dropped. It was instant love, instant connection. I just knew from that day forward that I had to have that horse.”

With her mind and heart set on the 12-year-old stallion, Danielle said she was ‘gifted’ the horse, and she brought him back to the UK that December.

Based in a competition yard in Lincolnshire, Danielle credits Play – whose grandsire For Pleasure was an Olympic gold medallist – with not only reigniting her equestrian ambitions, but also turbo-boosting her recovery.

Wobbly

“He was instrumental in rehabilitating my right side,” says Danielle. “He was so very patient and he would stand quietly as I struggled to lift my arm to put his head collar on. He forced me to retrain my right side.

“It was really challenging, but without Play I don't know what I would be doing now or where I would be.

“With Play by my side, I gradually did a bit more each day, and tried that little bit harder. He still helps me now. If I'm having a wobbly day on my right side, he almost leans into me, to prop me up.

“I can't tell you how incredible he is. He’s my absolute rock.”

As Danielle grew stronger – aided by the love and support of Play – her equestrian ambitions also returned.

“I only ever had rehab on my mind when I brought Play home, but then I was like, I want to get my Union Jacks.”

Having had a highly successful equestrian career as a youngster, Danielle began looking for ways she might represent her country again, seeing an opening in talks about a potential autism classification in para-equestrianism.

“I'm based at Hill House Equestrian Centre, which is a competition yard and fabulous. It holds British Dressage competitions and non-affiliated jumping, and I’ve got the most amazing trainer who really works with you.

“So, I started competing again about a year ago, on my loan horse Dizzy Rascal, and we qualified for the medium regionals and winter regionals.

“While it felt strange to be back competing after all these years, it has made me more determined to get stronger and better, and compete with Play, with the goal being to compete for my country again one day.

“Through riding and great training, I have overcome a huge number of challenges, and I have to credit Ayurvedic treatment as well for the part it has played in my recovery.

“But the biggest gift that life has given me is Play. I owe him everything.”