Award-winning showjumper, 19, is left looking 'like a goldfish with golf ball eyes' after horror stables fall split her forehead in half and left her needing 17 stitches - because she wasn't wearing a helmet
A teenage show jumper says she was left looking 'like a goldfish' with huge 'golf ball eyes' and a two-inch 'bone deep' gash across her face after a horror stables fall.
Abbi Diamond, 19, was rushed to A&E after tripping and smashing her face into a curb while feeding her Dutch Warmblood, Blue.
The award-winning show jumper, who lives near Edinburgh, Scotland, was rushed to hospital with a two inch cut between her eyebrows - which needed 17 stitches.
Abbi also says her eyes ballooned so rapidly that she was left temporarily blind and looking 'like a goldfish' with 'golf ball eyes'.
The teenager, who was not wearing a helmet when she fell, is now warning other horse riders to use their safety equipment - saying: 'If I'd worn a hat my injury wouldn't be as bad.'
Speaking about the horror injury, she said: 'It was a deep gash from one brow straight into the other one.
WARNING: This article contains graphic content.
Abbi Diamond (pictured after he fall) says she was left looking 'like a goldfish' with huge 'golf ball eyes' and a two-inch 'bone deep' gash across her face after a horror fall
Abbi Diamond, 19, was rushed to A&E after she tripped and smashed her forehead into a curb while feeding her Dutch Warmblood, Blue (pictured here with Abbi)
The award-winning show jumper (pictured), who lives near Edinburgh, Scotland, was rushed to hospital with a two inch cut between her eyebrows - which needed 17 stitches
'It went down to my eyelid as well and I have 17 stitches in there. It took them about 40 minutes to stitch it up.
'There wasn't any surgery but they gave me anaesthetic, though I couldn't really feel anything anyway.
'The plastic surgeon looked at me and checked all my movements - it was quite worrying.
'Both eyes were fully closed for two or three days. It was really strange, it was hard, I worried about losing my eyesight.'
Abbi was out feeding 11-year-old Blue - who she has competed in showing jumping competitions with - last Thursday when she suffered the fall.
She said she was holding on to her rope when she lost her footing and she suffered the fall.
'I tripped on a pot hole or something and I fell,' she said.
The 19-year-old was rushed to A&E by the stable owners and was horrified to discover the 'bone-deep' two-inch cut
She said: 'The cut went down to my eyelid as well and I have 17 stitches in there. It took them about 40 minutes to stitch it up.'
Abbi needed 17 stitches to her forehead following the fall, which took place last Thursday
Abbi said she was holding on to her rope when she lost her footing and she suffered the fall
After three days, one of Abbi's eyes finally started to go down and she was able to film some videos for her followers to explain what had happened'Blue can be quite flighty so I didn't let go of her, so didn't put my hands out to protect my face, and my whole face went straight into the kerb.
'With Blue being so flighty, the reaction is not to let go in case she runs up onto the road - my main priority was to keep her safe.
'I got straight up and looked on my phone to look at it. I had to call the staff to come and get Blue.
'I was like "urm, my forehead is in half if someone can help me". The cut was probably at least two-inches in length and was bone deep at one point.
'I looked like a goldfish with golf ball eyes. A few of my friends have kindly said I look like an ant too.
'At least it's not my permanent face and I don't even look like that now. It's nuts how quickly it's healed.
'We're on day six and I'm borderline looking normal.'
After three days, one of Abbi's eyes finally started to go down and she was able to film some videos for her followers to explain what had happened.
Now she is sharing her story to warn other horse riders to stay safe even while off their horse - urging them to wear hats even when they think they are safely on the ground.
Abbi said: 'One eye slightly opened and that's how I managed to make the TikToks and explain what was going on.
'It's had about 5.1million views which is almost the population of Scotland.
'[Medical staff] said there would be a scar and it would affect my eyebrows.
'That was a bit of a worry as I'm into my makeup. Even [when I'm] not wearing make-up I'm a girly girl.
'It's a little bit scary but they've told me it's such a clean cut that it will be easily covered with make-up.
'One eyebrow is completely fine but the other one is hard to see because I have stitches through my eyebrow. It's a case of waiting to see what it looks like when the stitches come out.
Since her accident, Abbi has resolved to stay optimistic and still hopes to ride her beloved Blue again in the future
Abbi said: 'I'd tell people to make sure they wear the correct footwear and even a hat.'
'I might have to get them tattooed on or draw them on every day. The chances of injury when out show-jumping were high, but I never thought it would happen now.'
Since her accident, Abbi has resolved to stay optimistic and still hopes to ride her beloved Blue again in the future.
Abbi said: 'I'd tell people to make sure they wear the correct footwear and even a hat.
'A lot of people don't put their hat on while handling their horse on the ground, you just think everything will be fine. If I'd worn a hat my injury wouldn't be as bad.
'I've been trying to be as positive as possible about what's happened. It's healing really well. There are people out there who have it a lot worse than me.
'There's a possibility we'll ride in the future. We've got a mark to see if Blue's rideable again in April time, whether that's to take her for a wander or ride in the school.
'I'm hoping to get back on board, I'm desperate to get on.
'It's about being super careful now as I managed to rebook my holiday for January 15th. I'm staying indoors until then because I'm so clumsy.
'The scar will heal over time and people on TikTok have sent me all these lotions and potions to help.
'People have been so lovely and it's so nice to see that side of social media. I've had thousands of comments from people offering support.'
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