A POPULAR and promising young horserider who fell into a coma after a riding accident is hoping to be home for Easter.

Rosie Chinery, 18, is now talking, eating and trying to walk after emerging from unconsciousness and the side effects of a mini-stroke.

The 2012 London Olympic hopeful broke her neck when her horse died while she was riding at Newmarket race course.

Rosie, who received good wishes from riders across north Essex, is hoping to come home this weekend before returning to hospital for further treatment.

Her grandfather, Aubrey Chinery, of Great Yeldham, said the family were relieved.

Mr Chinery, a horse trainer from Great Yeldham, said Rosie’s mother, Karen, had been wheeling her about in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

He said: “She’s had a lot of visitors. On Sunday you are only allowed two visitors at the bed, so her mother took her to the cafeteria and she had 11.”

Mr Chinery, of Stambourne Road, said Rosie’s appetite was good and she was “eating chocolate full-time”, as well as craving food like chips.

Rosie, of Toppesfield, had been tipped for the 2012 Olympics eventing team.

Although on her way to recovery, she will have to learn to walk again, due to her head injuries affecting her brain.

James Crispe, public relations officer for East Anglian Point-to-Point Racing said he had made announcements with updates at races.

Mr Crispe said: “I often commentate on point-to-point and if I have been commentating over the last three to four weeks, I will slip in what I have heard.

“She is very popular in jumping which of course has its dangers.”

Rosie went to St Margaret’s Primary School, Toppesfield, and then Hedingham School, leaving after her GCSEs.