Dennis Collins is paralyzed from the waist down form an on-track accident that occurred at The Downs at Albuquerque on September 25, 2016, at the age of 53. The veteran rider fractured his T-12 vertebrae and obtained severe damage to his spinal cord. He now uses a wheelchair for mobility.

​

Dennis doesn't remember every detail of the accident that has left him a paraplegic. Racing down the backside, his horse fell, throwing him to the track. While lying on the ground, Dennis remembers, "I reached for my legs and I wasn't able to feel them. I knew exactly what had happened."

​

Growing up in New Jersey, Dennis initially rode at various racetracks along the east coast, winning his first race at Laurel Park in 1987, on Aeronautica. He eventually moved his business to the mid-west where he was consistently one of the top riders on the Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado circuits. The veteran rider also spent time in Phoenix area where he was one of the top riders at Turf Paradise for many years. During his thirty-year career, Dennis won 2,360 races from 15,957 mounts.

​​

Married to Heather Collins since 2018, he says, "I don't  know where I would be without Heather. She has given me so much encouragement and support." Dennis and Heather live in Smyrna, Delaware where the two are "pretty much retired."

​​

Dennis is grateful to all the people that have reached out and offered him support. When he was riding, he always donated and helped in any way to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). He supported what their mission was about. Now he receives a monthly stipend from the PDSJF that definitely helps pay the rent and other bills. Dennis says, "Our savings has gone away and for the PDJF to step up when you're in need is awesome". 

​

Dennis has two children, Cage and Adriannah from a previous marriage.

​