Corinna Schumacher, the wife of Michael Schumacher, has said that he is “getting better” after being woken from a medically induced coma and transferred to a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland last month.

The former F1 champion had remained in a hospital in Grenoble, France after suffering a head injury following a skiing accident in December.

“It's getting better, slowly certainly, but in any case it's improving,” Corinna told German magazine Neue Post during her first public appearance in six months at a horse riding tournament in Switzerland.

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German newspaper Bild pictured Corinna laughing, smiling and handing out chocolates at a Western-style event in Givrins, Switzerland over the weekend.

According to the publication, Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm accompanied Corinna to the ranch she purchased in 2004, as riders from several different nations turned up to take part.

Shape Created with Sketch. Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday Show all 10 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Moving scenes as fans hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday 1/10 January 3 2014 As the former Formula 1 champion fights for his life, well-wishers and supporters have staged a vigil outside the Grenoble hospital where he is currently being treated. AFP/Getty 2/10 January 3 2014 Candles were lit in support of the F1 champion, who is currently in a medically induced coma AFP/Getty 3/10 January 3 2014 T-shirts with the slogan ‘I Heart Schumi’, Ferrari caps, banners and flowers festooned the fences surrounding the medical facility. AFP/Getty 4/10 January 3 2014 Meanwhile, Ferrari clubs from France and Italy gathered outside the hospital. AFP/Getty 5/10 January 3 2014 Michael Schumacher’s fans were determined not to let his 45th birthday pass by unmarked, and left scores of tributes. AFP/Getty 6/10 January 3 2014 In the deepest respects for his recovery, the vigil was entirely silent. AFP/Getty 7/10 January 3 2014 While a sombre and poignant occasion, those present are optimistic to hear more encouraging news on the medical condition of the German sportsman. AFP/Getty 8/10 January 3 2014 The team with whom Schumacher won a record five titles in a row with between 2000 and 2004 organised a silent march in support. AFP/Getty 9/10 January 3 2014 Schumacher is currently believed to be in a critical but stable state. AFP/Getty 10/10 January 3 2014 On his fans, the Schumacher family said in a statement: "They are giving us great support. We all know he is a fighter and will not give up. Thank you." AFP/Getty 1/10 January 3 2014 As the former Formula 1 champion fights for his life, well-wishers and supporters have staged a vigil outside the Grenoble hospital where he is currently being treated. AFP/Getty 2/10 January 3 2014 Candles were lit in support of the F1 champion, who is currently in a medically induced coma AFP/Getty 3/10 January 3 2014 T-shirts with the slogan ‘I Heart Schumi’, Ferrari caps, banners and flowers festooned the fences surrounding the medical facility. AFP/Getty 4/10 January 3 2014 Meanwhile, Ferrari clubs from France and Italy gathered outside the hospital. AFP/Getty 5/10 January 3 2014 Michael Schumacher’s fans were determined not to let his 45th birthday pass by unmarked, and left scores of tributes. AFP/Getty 6/10 January 3 2014 In the deepest respects for his recovery, the vigil was entirely silent. AFP/Getty 7/10 January 3 2014 While a sombre and poignant occasion, those present are optimistic to hear more encouraging news on the medical condition of the German sportsman. AFP/Getty 8/10 January 3 2014 The team with whom Schumacher won a record five titles in a row with between 2000 and 2004 organised a silent march in support. AFP/Getty 9/10 January 3 2014 Schumacher is currently believed to be in a critical but stable state. AFP/Getty 10/10 January 3 2014 On his fans, the Schumacher family said in a statement: "They are giving us great support. We all know he is a fighter and will not give up. Thank you." AFP/Getty

“She was not so mighty that she couldn't push away a wheelbarrow with manure from the stables,” and attendee is quoted by The Mirror as saying.

“She had kind words for everyone there.”

Corinna, who has been married to Schumacher for 18 years, has been an ever-present figure of strength for fans in the wake of his head injury, often staying in hospital by his side for 10 hours a day as he fought for his life.

Since awaking from his medically induced coma on 16 June, he has been treated at a rehabilitation clinic near his family home in Lausanne.

He is currently paralysed and remains speechless, but medical experts are hoping that the driver is able to make enough progress to be able to sit in a wheelchair.

Bild has reported that Schumacher had started to respond to his wife’s voice.

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“The voice of Corinna has a much stronger effect on him than the voices of other people,” the newspaper claimed.

Her comments come amid reports that Michael Schumacher’s medical records have been traced to a Swiss helicopter company in Zurich.

French authorities located the IP address of the computer used by thieves, who stole the documents last month, to the helicopter company that was due to transport Schumacher from Grenoble to Lausanne hospital after he emerged from his coma.

The thieves had attempted to sell the records to French, Swiss and German journalists, demanding 60,000 Swiss francs (€49,000 or £39,000) for the documents, which detailed Schumacher’s treatment.