Well Finally, here it is the 2009 AQHA UK Amateur Hunter under Saddle Championship that has been the focus of my entire life!! I can not even describe or put in to words just how much qualifying for the Championships meant to me and of course to TC.
Two and a half years ago this horse was in pieces, Emaciated, Chronically lame with a condition called Laminitis that had been caused by continued trauma to his front feet. Sad fact is that all it would have taken to protect his feet and legs was 5 minutes..yep that's it...5 minutes to put a set of protective boots on...is that really so hard to do? That lack of boots resulted in horrific cracks to both front feet which resulted in the Laminitis and TC having to have metal plates screwed to his feet to hold them together. Starving him as a punishment was just downright cruel.
I have poured time, money, energy, blood, sweat and tears into that horse. You know what? it's worth every second and every penny and every tear. The road to recovery has been a rocky and emotional one. However, I think that we have arrived at a better place. It's always difficult to capture the mannerisms of a horse.
When TC arrived he was a state mentally and physically. Check out the photos in this Facebook album on his own page!!! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=64352&id=41550445778&l=91abd1afd6
The Photo's are in Chronological order and I have selected the 'best' ones although I use that term loosely!!
When I watch the video I don't see the placing, I don't see the fact that my idiot left leg was so useless (because of my health problems) I could not help him pick up the correct lead. A mistake that promptly ricocheted us to the bottom of the pile. That said we were not last we finished 5th (one was DQ'd). I don't even see the fact that he is still very novice.
What I do see is a horse that functions and is happy to do his work, a horse that is no longer crippled with pain but, is pain free and enjoying his life again. TC will never forget his treatment and on occasion has issues but, he does know that I will never treat him that way and that I always bring him food and water. He also knows that just for the hell of it I show up at his field and just spend time with him, that simple scratch and rub go along way to healing a troubled mind.
So enjoy with me 10 minutes of sheer pleasure and happiness as I sit up on top of my horse and, in my mind, the world and show that love does actually conquer all.
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