ENGLEWOOD, CO—OCTOBER 21, 2018—Nikeela Black Abrams, probably the best female jockey in the Northwest, was paralyzed from the ribs down in a racing accident at the Blackfoot County Fair in Blackfoot, Idaho September 2.

Following spinal surgery in University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City she was transferred to Craig Hospital — world-renowned for specializing in brain and spinal cord injuries — in Englewood, Colorado to begin rehab.

At 33 years old, after competing 1,673 races since 2004 with 429 wins and $1.3 million in earnings, the jockey has no plans to let paralysis stop her from riding.

"I’ve had several good friends who have been paralyzed from horse racing within the last five years," she said. "I knew the risks."

Riley Bunch of the Idaho Press published an article on Nikeela's road to recovery on the newspapers website Saturday. CLICK HERE to read the entire Idaho Press article.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help Nikeela and her husband Lee with medical costs.

Riley Bunch is the night digital reporter for the Idaho Press.