Just two months ago a Montague woman was thrown from a horse and told she would never walk again. But now she's not only walking, she's working her way back into the saddle.

On April 11 Pinnie Sears was riding her horse Julio in the Montague plains. She had only owned the horse for a few days.

"All of the sudden for no apparent reason what so ever and with no warning he bucked," says Sears.

Unable to feel anything from her chest down, Pinnie used whatever strength she could to call for help.

"I was able to move my hands enough to reach into my pocket and get my cell phone and call 911," says Sears.

The Montague Center firefighters who took the call were familiar with the plains, but once they found Pinnie they knew she wasn't out of the woods yet.

"The first person who got to me took one look at me and said put life flight in the air," says Sears.

Pinnie broke her back and even after surgery her doctors told her she would have to trade in her saddle for a new mode of transportation.

"I was told that people adapt well to life in a wheelchair, and that there are social events for people in wheelchairs," says Sears.

But just two months later she's walking with only a cane.

"I didn't do it alone, but on the other hand I'm the only one who could."

Although Pinnie no longer owns the horse that threw her that day, she says she'll get back in the saddle soon.

"I expect to be riding Jessie by the fall," says Sears.

A columnist for Massachusetts Horse magazine, Pinnie's co-workers are inspired by her recovery. They've organized a benefit this Saturday to help her pay the almost 70,000 dollars in medical bills. Pinnie says she is grateful for the support and hopes her story will caution other riders and possibly save lives.

"Nobody should ever get on a horse without having your helmet, a cell phone and some ID, no matter where you go," says Sears.

The Massachusetts Horse Benefit Pleasure Ride for Pinnie Sears will be held Saturday June 16. Parking is available at Sands Hill Ranch at 374 Turners Falls Road in Montague. For a ride form and other details log onto www.mahorse.com of call (413)268-3302.

Non-riders are welcome for the lunch and live music, and donations are being accepted if you are unable to attend the event.