The sun was bright that Saturday afternoon at “La Arabia” as Miguel Gonzalez mounted “La Cartagena” in the courtyard, reins in hand, ready for what was supposed to be a routine ride. The animal shifted beneath him, but Miguel brushed it off, trusting the moment would be like dozens of others before. Seconds later, the horse jolted, and Miguel was thrown hard to the ground. Pain exploded through his arm as gasps replaced the laughter of the family nearby. What started as a simple ride quickly became a memory Miguel would never forget.

The accident was more than a fall. For Miguel and his family, it became a moment that highlighted the importance of preparation, trust, and resilience. A horse that was not properly readied turned what should have been a joyful ride into a painful injury and a long recovery. Miguel’s broken elbow—specifically the radial notch—is now part of his story, shaping how he approaches riding and the lessons he carries with him.

At first, Miguel’s confidence made him believe everything was under control. Miguel Gonzalez, a student and passionate rider who had spent many weekends around horses, explained that he knew how to ride and felt secure in the situation. But beneath the surface, there were warning signs. “So because I don’t know, maybe the person that helped us prepare the horses didn’t pay much attention, and I think that was what really caused the accident,” Miguel said.

Looking back, he admitted there were subtle hints that something was wrong. “I noticed the saddle a little bit tipsy, but I didn’t think much of it because I thought, well, that person is not going to not prepare the horse well for me and my cousins,” he explained [1:22]. His trust in someone he had known for years outweighed his instinct to double-check. Moments later, that misplaced trust would prove costly.

 The fall itself happened in an instant. One moment, Miguel was on La Cartagena, and the next, he was slammed into the ground, clutching his arm in shock. “My first reaction was a lot of pain and like telling my brother and everyone that it hurt a lot,” he recalled [2:28]. His parents, Veronica and Carlos, along with his cousins, rushed over, panicked and unsure of how badly he was hurt.

Yet, despite the injury, Miguel wasn’t ready to give up on the ride. “That was the first reaction and like going back to the horse… because I wasn’t going to walk,” he said. “I think that was the toughest part because I was really scared that the horse would throw me… that I would fall off again, so that was really scary” [2:28]. His decision to get back on showed resilience, but it also revealed how fear lingered long after the fall.

 For Miguel, the memory is not just about a broken elbow but about the lesson that safety and preparation matter in every ride. Horses demand attention and care, and overlooking even small details can change everything. His experience reflects the risks that come with trust and tradition, reminding both riders and families that accidents can happen when least expected. Since the fall, Miguel has taken more precautions whenever he is around horses. He doesn’t ride them as much anymore, but he still loves and respects them from a safer distance.

 Miguel still thinks about that day—the sudden pain, the fear, and the determination to climb back onto La Cartagena. The broken radial notch healed, but the memory remains. In his words, the accident became a reminder that even the strongest confidence needs preparation to back it up.