Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
Okay I know its a tad early but I have a spare 30min or so.....
2013 has been my most up and down year with horses so far! Its been mental!
It started off with being unable to get my chestnut mare in foal so she was put back into work whilst my 5 year old gelding started out his show jumping career. All was going well, we moved back to my uni in the new year and a friend rode Shan my chestnut whilst she was for sale and I focused on my 5 year old. He was going amazingly well jumping his 4 BN double clears quickly and was jumping and placing at Discovery.
It then all went a bit ***s up! My 5 year old went 1/10ths lame the same day someone came to view my mare. She sold and they took her the next day. She sadly had a spat in the trailer which led to her being PTS and new owners tying to sue me (long story threads on here somewhere) anyway I had nothing to hide and presented them with all the information I needed to accept that this was a freak accident and no ones fault. That week my 5 year old was taken to the AHT for MRIs. They showed he had severe suspensory branch abnormalities, suspensory tear and arthritis and bone abnormalities. Me and the vet found the best decision was PTS as with surgery he only stood a 20% chance of ever coming field sound. By this point I was getting quite tired.....
This is Ozzy and Shan together at uni on their last week
Insurance wouldnt pay out for Oz so I had to use Shans money plus all my savings to fund another horse. I didnt wait long and went to view 12 horses at the same place. One stood out for me but was a little over budget. I little haggling later and I booked the vetting which he passed and home came my 5 year old Oldenburg gelding Marty.
He was a lazy little thing when I got him but there was just something about him. He had been broken and not done anymore bar a few fences at home when I got him but he quickly jumped his BN double clears and qualified the 90cm and 1m 2nd rounds.
He then jumped all his Discovery double clears and qualified Blue Chip Winter Novice champs which I am thrilled with! He is now jumping Newcomers/1.10 double clears with ease and has gone from being lazy to quite a forward going character!
I have gained two wonderful sponsors and I cant wait for 2014! I have graduated and moved back home to my small yard. I have ridden horses for other people this year who have all gone amazing (bar the one day I had a suspected broken back but came away with other injuries that healed well). I feel very lucky to have met those I have this year and have done what Ive done. Ive had offers for Marty but hes staying put for now as I have a good feeling about him.
Anyone who got that far kudos, it feels good to sum the year on paper
Merry Christmas everyone!
(all pictures either taken by me or a friend and I have permission to use all on the internet!)
2013 has been my most up and down year with horses so far! Its been mental!
It started off with being unable to get my chestnut mare in foal so she was put back into work whilst my 5 year old gelding started out his show jumping career. All was going well, we moved back to my uni in the new year and a friend rode Shan my chestnut whilst she was for sale and I focused on my 5 year old. He was going amazingly well jumping his 4 BN double clears quickly and was jumping and placing at Discovery.
It then all went a bit ***s up! My 5 year old went 1/10ths lame the same day someone came to view my mare. She sold and they took her the next day. She sadly had a spat in the trailer which led to her being PTS and new owners tying to sue me (long story threads on here somewhere) anyway I had nothing to hide and presented them with all the information I needed to accept that this was a freak accident and no ones fault. That week my 5 year old was taken to the AHT for MRIs. They showed he had severe suspensory branch abnormalities, suspensory tear and arthritis and bone abnormalities. Me and the vet found the best decision was PTS as with surgery he only stood a 20% chance of ever coming field sound. By this point I was getting quite tired.....
This is Ozzy and Shan together at uni on their last week
Insurance wouldnt pay out for Oz so I had to use Shans money plus all my savings to fund another horse. I didnt wait long and went to view 12 horses at the same place. One stood out for me but was a little over budget. I little haggling later and I booked the vetting which he passed and home came my 5 year old Oldenburg gelding Marty.
He was a lazy little thing when I got him but there was just something about him. He had been broken and not done anymore bar a few fences at home when I got him but he quickly jumped his BN double clears and qualified the 90cm and 1m 2nd rounds.
He then jumped all his Discovery double clears and qualified Blue Chip Winter Novice champs which I am thrilled with! He is now jumping Newcomers/1.10 double clears with ease and has gone from being lazy to quite a forward going character!
I have gained two wonderful sponsors and I cant wait for 2014! I have graduated and moved back home to my small yard. I have ridden horses for other people this year who have all gone amazing (bar the one day I had a suspected broken back but came away with other injuries that healed well). I feel very lucky to have met those I have this year and have done what Ive done. Ive had offers for Marty but hes staying put for now as I have a good feeling about him.
Anyone who got that far kudos, it feels good to sum the year on paper
Merry Christmas everyone!
(all pictures either taken by me or a friend and I have permission to use all on the internet!)
Sorry to hear about your health, hope you are okay. Yes hopefully 2014 can be kinder to everyone 