Boyd, Will Faudree, Neville, and Andromaque
The retirement of an event horse, especially one as special as Ying Yang Yo, is always incredibly difficult for all of the horse’s connections. Boyd posted on his blog this morning that Ying Yang Yo “Thomas” will be retired due to a paralyzed airway. Boyd pulled up on the Luhmuhlen cross-country course this weekend because Thomas had been making loud sounds in his breathing. German team vets evaluated Thomas at Luhmuhlen and made the diagnosis. Boyd flew over to the US with Ying Yang Yo on a cargo plane in 2006 and competed together in Boyd’s first Rolex. That trip led to Boyd working with Phillip, moving to the US, and the rest is history as they say. From Boyd’s blog:
After quite a disappointing Saturday at Luhmuehlen, a scope by the German team vet discovered that poor old Thomas had a paralyzed airway. Both Denise, Pierre and I thought it would be best to send Thomas back to America where he will live life in Luxury in New Hampshire with his owners at Stony Brook Farm. Originally the plan was to take him to England and do Burghley, but we feel that is no longer an option. [Boyd’s blog]
I had the pleasure of taking Thomas on a few hacks and trot sets when I worked for Phillip in Aiken. That horse was a consummate professional and he had a truly great personality for learning. Boyd absolutely loves Thomas to death and while it will be sad to not get to see them compete together again, I’m glad that Thomas will have such a happy and comfortable retirement.
As the story goes, Boyd named Thomas “Ying Yang Yo” because he hoped the horse would compete at the Beijing Olympics and thought that the name might win favor with the Beijing judges. One of my other favorite Thomas memories is from when he almost killed Boyd at Rolex in 2008. I have told this story before, but, as the story goes, Boyd might have snuck out of the ambulance and tried to go get back on his horse, but Boyd will tell you that he doesn’t remember a lot from that day.
An interview with Boyd after their Fair Hill win:
Go Thomas.
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Update: We have heard from Thomas’ connections that there is a chance that Ying Yang Yo may return to competition at the lower levels in time depending on his recovery and if that goes well that he could possibly return to upper level competition. Thomas followed a similar path returning from his first retirement when he was competed for by Eliza Wolf before Boyd took over the ride last year and won Fair Hill. Just so you don’t think we are completely insane, the word “retire” was used by Boyd’s team in linking to Boyd’s blog post on Twitter on Wednesday. So, we wish Thomas a happy sabbatical and possible retirement! Go Thomas.
