EN Gives Thanks: An ‘Ahmazzzing’ Year

What are you thankful for this year? That’s the question we asked EN readers for the 2018 Thanksgiving Challenge from World Equestrian Brands, and your responses were numerous and heartfelt. Over the holiday weekend, we are honored to share your special stories. You can view an archive of the stories here

Photo courtesy of Krista Wilson.

While some years in eventing are blah, and some are ahmazzzing, this year was simply beautiful. I am so thankful for the many things that have transpired in 2018, most of all, I am thankful that I found a wonderful home for my eventer, Max, who deserves it so much.

Max was sold to me as an experienced eventer, who I was planning to move up to Training level. Well, instead, we made it to Novice level and in between, he had quite a few injuries. Max had trouble with his splint bones. He broke his left from splint bone during the first year I owned him. I sent him to surgery and he healed right up. After the required rehab, we were back at it, until he popped another splint on the other front leg. So, he had that one surgically removed and the requisite six months of recovery, again. So, I was really excited to resume riding and achieving our goals. Alas, it was not in the cards. He popped a splint on his hind leg. I rested him and yet, it still grew and seemed to irritate him. There was lots of time off, lots of hand walking, and lots of time to think of how to handle the situation. I am thankful for the wonderful vet I have and the doctors in Ocala, also who were so helpful.

Eventually, I decided to just put out some feelers to see if anyone would like a trail horse. I posted an ad which was seen by a good friend and she answered it. Max was soon on his way to Kentucky! He is living there happily and is being spoiled rotten! I am thrilled that he was able to find such a great home.

Photo by PhotoXpress.

In the meantime, I was looking for a new trailer and while I was checking out one that was in a nearby town, my friend told me, “Hey, this lady also has a horse for sale! Let’s go look at him!” I told her neither one of us needed another horse, but nonetheless, we went to the paddock out back and both fell head-over-heels in love with him! He was such a gorgeous, sweet, flashy horse! I ended up buying the trailer AND the horse!

What a diamond in the rough he turned out to be! On our first outing, while I was riding my other horse, Simba. I invited my former student, Kate to ride him. She fell in complete love with him! I asked her if she wanted to show him dressage in the little schooling show I was practicing for- and  she did! So, she rode him in his first dressage class, and he jumped out of the ring! (Did I mention he was a former jumper?) They seemed to get along quite well, so I told her if she wanted to event him at the next event, if she took some jumping lessons, she was welcome to.

She jumped at the chance and after two jumping lessons, she went to the schooling show and won her class! She was now converted to dark side — eventing! We planned to do another show called the “Battle of the Barns” and it was a great experience! We dressed up the horses and ended up having a blast! We came in 7th overall, which was pretty neat. I have never seen such amazing costumes! The venue was so wonderful at Florida Horse Park! They are always making such cool improvements to it!

Photo courtesy of Krista Wilson.

Another thing I am thankful for this year is getting to see my friends from Florida Horse Trials Association (Amanda, MaryAnn, Carol and Sonia) compete in the Southeastern Schooling Show Championships at Chatt. Hills! They were all so happy and it was great to see them! What a beautiful course, too. I treasure the friends I have made in my sport! It’s full of great, fun people.

Lastly, I am happy that I was able to attend the Ocala Jockey Club show: as a spectator one day and as a volunteer the next day. As a spectator, I witnessed some amazing cross country riding! Also, I participated in the Hat Contest and wound up winning second place! Woohoo! The next day, I was excited to volunteer as a cross country jump judge at the scary “Bear Trap” combination! It was an exhilarating experience seeing that top level of riding, agility and competition!

Photo courtesy of Krista Wilson.

As the year comes to an end, I can’t wait to think about how lucky I am to live in Florida — able to participate in great shows, see amazing riders and volunteer in a sport that is exciting and rewarding. While the state sucks at elections, it really does well with horse sports! There are a variety of things to do with horses down here — hunter paces, trail rides, eventing, you name it — Florida has it!

I feel very fortunate and grateful that my horses are happy, sound and sane. I certainly am looking forward to 2019!