Yesterday was my last day at the barn. They are ceasing private boarding operations and converting to a training facility. On my last day, I had the dirty task of cleaning the wash rack and all the rubber floor mats. Look how good they turned out! Too bad clean things never last long in a barn.

Recently, I found out that a picture of me and my horse Tony (aka Mister Finesse) is being featured on a bag of feed concentrate produced by Buckeye Nutrition. In light of this news, I have decided to share with all of you the story of my horse Tony. It’s a bit long, so I’ll be splitting it up into two separate posts. This is the second of two, click here to read the first half.
——–
Another year of waiting brought us to 2008. I had been told that with ringbone, you have to wait for the exostosis (the growth of bone) to finish before you can really tell how much damage had been done. I flew out to Arizona a few times that year to continue training with my Half-Arab (Pink), and everytime I was able to ride Tony a little longer than before. He would start out limping, but in time would warm up enough to where he would actually support himself. Crystal and I joked that Tony was a bit of a wimp when it came to being injured and that he liked the self-pity that came along with it.

By 2009, I was able to ride Tony for a full 30 minutes including loping, and running and stopping. His lead changes, which were never his strong suit, were still not quite there. But he was really trying and that’s what I liked to see. He hadn’t lost the hope of competing again, nor had I. Like Bazy says, “All horses need a job”. I like to think that since he is an Al-Marah horse, a certain drive to get back to his job has been bred into him.

A full four years after his injury, Tony is back. No longer does he limp or require bute after every exercise. Sliding, spinning, changing leads: he can do it all without a problem. Tony and I started competing again, and while we aren’t at the top of the placings I’m just glad to be back int he ring.

But never will we be going back to Tucson. I’m just superstitious like that.

How come I never knew about these? I thought it was a joke at first…but no…

Harlequin NASCAR Romance Novels

Recently, I found out that a picture of me and my horse Tony (aka Mister Finesse) is being featured on a bag of feed concentrate produced by Buckeye Nutrition. In light of this news, I have decided to share with all of you the story of my horse Tony. It’s a bit long, so I’ll be splitting it up into two separate posts.
——–
A couple of years ago I was approached by equine photographer Cristy Cumberworth to ask my permission for the use of a photo. The photo in question was of me and my purebred Arabian reining horse Tony competing at the January 2006 show held in Tucson, AZ by the Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association. I remember the show well because that was the last time I showed Tony. Moments after Cristy had taken my picture, Tony took a wobbly step during our last set of spins. It didn’t feel right and I knew something wrong. It wasn’t until I asked Tony to walk out of the arena that I knew how bad it really was. My trainer, Crystal, had me jump off and slowly hand walk him around the in-gate. He limped at every step and would not put any weight down on his front right leg. Just then the announcer gave the placings of the class. I had won, but with the threat of a severe injury taking shape it really didn’t matter. I walked Tony back to the stalls, wrapped his leg and waited to hear from the vet.

It wasn’t until Tony was home in Scottsdale that we knew exactly what had happened. Crystal called with the news of a torn suspensory. The suspensory ligament and associated apparatus is what keeps a horse’s fetlock from dropping to the ground. It basically acts like a sling to support the joint. While it isn’t the worst injury a horse can sustain, it is serious and takes around a year to heal.

So we put Tony on stall rest and eventually light hand-walking until we noticed another problem: ringbone. I knew that Tony had ringbone, but it wasn’t an issue until he was put on stall rest for the suspensory tear. Since he was no longer being active, the ringbone really had a chance to develop causing arthritic symptoms. Eventually his suspensory healed, but because the ringbone was in full swing we had to keep waiting. By this time, a year had gone by and I wasn’t sure that I would ever show Tony again. It was bit disheartening to think that would be the case. Right before the injury, Tony and I had really hit our stride as a team and were consistently marking 70s and above.
——–
Stay tuned for Pt. II!

Something to look forward to…an agreeable forecast!

Other things I’m looking forward to in the coming weeks:

We’re getting there…

And why has this year’s “spring forward” affected me more than any other? 3 days later, I’m still feeling off because of the time change. I’ve talked to multiple people about this, and everyone agrees that it’s taking longer than usual for them to adjust to the one hour difference.

Except for Eddie. He said it hasn’t had much of an effect on his life because he’s “accustomed to not having enough hours in the day.” Hmph.

Yesterday I went to check my mail and found a large padded envelope stuffed into my tiny apartment-sized mailbox. When I tore open the seal I found a pretty yellow ribbon.



Of course! How could I forget!

Last month, I received a letter from the United States Equestrian Federation (the governing body for all U.S. equestrian sports). Apparently I had placed third in the region for the Horse of the Year Award. This news came as quite the surprise since I had only shown once in the region all year. However, the points I collected by competing in that one show were enough to earn my horse a third place. Pretty cool.

And since my horses are in Scottsdale, I was ranked in Region 7 which consists of Arizona, Nevada and Utah. In comparison, the first and second place winners were both local to Arizona and had shown several times during the year.

I can remember when I won first place in the same contest with my horse Summerfire. We showed like crazy that year and traveled all throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin (which is Region 11). Knowing what it takes to get first, I feel proud to have ended up third after competing in only one show.

And what a nice thing to break up the dreariness of winter.

I no longer have to make a special visit to Canada to buy my favorite OTC allergy medicine! Chlor-Trimeton 12 hr. is back on the shelves at Walgreens. After a long absence due in part to manufacturing delays, my careful rationing can come to an end. Thanks Schering-Plough!

Banana Republic is finally joining J.Crew in offering a 15% off discount to all students and faculty! This discount applies to both sale and full price items and must be used in-store only. Just present your school ID at the register to get the discount. Sadly, the discount is only good through the end of 2010 so take advantage while you can!

Every year on January 22nd Eddie and I have a big night out in honor of two occasions. The first, is Eddie’s birthday. The second is the anniversary of when we first met four years ago. It’s rather convenient having these both on the same day and it makes the day that much more special.

This year, Eddie and I met with Hunka, Kendle et al. for drinks at Boltini. Then we walked over to Jim Gould’s for dinner and live jazz. The dinner was perfect, as always. I had a filet and Eddie had the Chicken Picata. At one point during the meal, Eddie pulls out a box from under the table and slides it over to me. I open it and find a beautiful bezel set diamond necklace! He had been hiding this from me all evening…very sneaky!

I wish we had pictures from our big night out, but in their absence, this collage will have to do. I received several compliments on my dress and clutch, so I figured I would post what I was wearing that night.

Clockwise from top left: Fully Fashioned French Heel Stockings, Onyx Stud Earrings (Tiffany’s), Silk Bouquet Clutch (Santi), Platform Heels (Kate Spade), Navy Blue Devoré Hearts Dress (Marc Jacobs), Rhinestone Hair Pin à la Natalie Wood, Bezel Set Diamond Necklace, Leather Gloves, Raccoon Collar Coat* (DKNY), 1940s Vintage Style Makeup and Hair

*Not exactly what mine looks like, but it’s the same style.

Note: I’m usually not the type of girl who is into heart motifs, but I was really drawn to this dress. The navy is so dark it’s almost black, which helps to tone down the hearts. It’s hard to tell, but the yoke is sheer like the illusion necklines I love. I really like the way it fits and it was feminine without being childish or cutesy.