PRO hunting campaigners are set to use the inspirational tale of a Hampshire woman to fight off attempts to ban the bloodsport.

The Countryside Alliance has the backing of Isabelle Taylor, one of Britain's top three-day eventers, who fought back from terrible injuries to return to riding.

But anti-hunt protesters say her story does not alter the fact that hunting is cruel to animals.

Isabelle believes hunting saved her sporting career after she suffered a crashing fall that threatened to leave her paralysed.

She was riding her favourite hunter, Flurry Knox, in a competition in Belgium last year when she broke her back in two places.

Doctors said there was a 50-50 chance she would never walk again.

But Isabelle, 20, of Landford, is back in the saddle and recently came second in the Windsor Horse Trials.

She attributes her remarkable recovery to the skill of the surgeons - and her love of hunting.

Isabelle says her passion for the bloodsport restored her confidence and also gave her the determination to resume her career as an event rider.

Following her fall in Lummen last July the young rider underwent a four-hour operation to repair her damaged spine. The procedure could have left her paralysed, but was a complete success.

However, her return to top-flight competition hung in the balance until she and Flurry Knox began to rekindle their love of hunting.

Isabelle added: "I hunt with the Oxfordshire-based Bicester with Whaddon Chase and was soon out four days a week. It rebuilt my confidence and that of the horse.

"I relished the challenge, but liked the fact that when I was out hunting there was no competition and no pressure.

"Having grown up in that environment I felt very comfortable hunting and was very well supported both by my family and by the hunt.

"Hunting saved my career. I don't think I'd be where I am today without it."

Tracy Casstles, regional director of the Countryside Alliance, said: "Isabelle's success is incredible.

"Not only does her story characterise the close links that exist between hunting and equestrian sports, but her determination and bravery characterise the passion that exists within the hunting community."

But Frankie Horan, of the New Forest Animal Protection Group, said: "The Countryside Alliance is using any little incident to promote hunting.

"This particular tale is not relevant to the core issue, which is that hunting is all about people who enjoy killing a live quarry."