Allison's ride on Weston

On Monday night Allison Ross came down to Ocala with her friend Lee to pick up her horse Weston who I have had in training all winter.  Wes is a beautiful six-year-old Dutch warmblood.  Just as Wes was imported last year Allison found out she was pregnant with her third baby.  These photos are of her and Wes together on Tuesday and it was only her third ride on him.  Wes grew up a lot while he was here this winter and I hope they will have a great summer together in St. Simon's Island, GA where Allison lives.

I leave to drive back to Pennsylvania tomorrow with Jet and Monte.

Some pictures from last weekend. . .

In the pictures, in no particular order, are me, Holley, Gina, Brian, Mr. and Mrs. Wetherill, Odie, Jada, and a commemorative bronze statue of Bruce Davidson jumping into the head of the lake water jump at Rolex.   

Rolex, April 25th. Doc's diagnosis.

We picked Doc up from the clinic this afternoon after he had been gone over and x-rayed and ultrasounded.  He has injured his meniscal ligament on the inside of his left stifle.  Apparently he probably had a chronic injury at this site that is due to his age and choice of profession (many upper level event horses have chronic wear and tear in certain ligaments and you never know about them until they "break.").  When he took the spook that he did on the pavement on Wednesday before the trot up it was like the straw that broke the camel's back and he tore it.  From what we know right now, the prognosis is that he will never return to upper level eventing.  There are several ligaments in the same site, like the collateral ligament and the ACL, and we have to wait a few more days to fully asses the damage as the clearest ultrasound pictures are best taken after the swelling has left an injury site.  In essence, the stifle is like our human knee.  I'm sure many of you can relate to the idea of a knee injury that could be career ending for a top level human athlete.  That is, in essence, what we are dealing with.

Gina and Holley are driving Doc back to Pennsylvania tomorrow.  He is not in a great deal of pain and his spirits are doing OK.  He will be able to relax and graze once he is back at Ardfuar.  We will give him the best treatment possible and as time passes we will see how much he will recover.  It is my hope that he will still be able to event at a lower level.  My student Lynn and I were morosely laughing today over the thought of having another Aly Cat at the farm.  Aly should be thrilled that he has hit retirement age after ten years of competing at the FEI level.  Instead he sulks about us going to shows without him and the fact that he doesn't get to run cross country anymore.  If Doc can't run and jump, he will be the same way.

All of this is quite a blow, but I really do believe that life has a way of working out.  It looks like a door is closing, but we will keep a window open and see what comes of all of this.  As I said to Mr. Wetherill earlier, "Poor Doc." and then a few seconds later I added, "And poor Mr. Wetherill and poor Ashley!"  There are so many people who would have been thrilled to see Doc and I attack a four star, but it was not meant to be this year.  

Brian and I left Doc in Holley and Gina's hands and we are driving back to Ocala for me to pick up the other horses.  The cross country today was fantastic to watch.  It was a beautiful course and a beautiful day.  I am sorry to be missing the nail-biting ending tomorrow, but I was ready to get out of the Lexington Horse Park.

Speak to many of you soon!

Ashley     

 

Rolex, April 23rd. No news yet.

We have done a few preliminary exams with Doc, but we don't seem to have any answers yet.  We have sent him across the street to the vet clinic here in Lexington to do a scan that shows inflammation.  From what we know so far he seems to have badly strained a muscle or possibly a ligament high up in his hindquarters, we just don't know which one.  He probably did this just before we went up to present at the trot up by spooking on the hard asphalt where we were walking him.  It's amazing how tough the horses can be yet how fragile!  

Today we watched a lot of dressage and Brian and I went to a competitor/sponsor party this evening.  The Wetherills seemed to enjoy their day as well and went to an owners meeting.  Tomorrow Holley, Gina, Brian and I are going to walk cross country.  Here are some pictures of the week so far.

Rolex, Wednesday April 22nd. The Unthinkable.

The day broke beautiful and sunny with a strong breeze that kept it from being warm.  Doc seemed in his zone this morning as Holley and Gina fussed over him to make him beautiful for the trot-up which began at 3:00 this afternoon.  Brian and I attended my 10:00 AM rider meeting to get oriented with the event.  Nine countries are being represented this weekend, including many Olympic riders who don't come to the U.S. for any event except Rolex.  My excitement grew at being able to have the experience to ride among such an accomplished group of riders.  At 12:30 I hopped on Doc and did an hour of dressage with him.  He felt happy, relaxed, and very sound.  My confidence about the knee that I have been struggling with since November grew.  I stopped worrying about the trot-up, knowing that he was going to look like a star.  When I got off of Doc, Holley and Gina bathed him and braided him.  At 3:00 we pulled him out of his stall and walked him until it was our turn to trot.  I had Gina trot him up and back in the practice area and he was so spooky I couldn't see anything so I trotted him and had the girls watch.  They thought he looked fine.  We went up the ramp to the trot-up with about 250 spectators and press representatives sitting along the side in bleachers watching.  I trotted him with confidence only to be sent to the holding area.  This happens when the panel questions a horse's soundness and a treating vet is then allowed to examine the horse.  I was still very confident.  I knew from my rides over the past few days that all of his legs were sound and strong.  In the holding area Holley trotted Doc so that I could watch.  To my horror he was dead lame in his left hind!  Doc has never been lame on his left hind, and at 12:30 this afternoon he wasn't lame on his left hind!  I spent the remainder of the trot-up in the holding area with Holley, Gina, and Brian praying that it was just a fluke and that he would walk out of it.  I was so surprised by the whole thing that I couldn't believe he didn't just do something small that would get better if he walked a little more.  Finally, with two horses left to trot we assessed him again and he was still just as lame.  I had to make the difficult decision to withdraw him from the competition.  It doesn't look good for the sport or for me to re-present a horse that is questionable.  

Back at the stable his legs looked fine.  We have no idea what he did or how he did it.  Suffice it to say, however, these things do happen and they particularly happen at big events.  We are going to let him rest tonight with some arnica and look at him in the morning.  My money is on him being fine within 24 hours.  I can't find anything wrong with him, so I can't imagine it is more than a strained muscle that he did while spooking!

Being in the hold box and realizing that he wasn't going to walk this off was very surreal.  It was such a big decision to withdraw after everything and one that had to be made so quickly and under pressure and scrutiny from the judges and the veterinarians.  There were two things that went through my mind that made the decision easier.  First, I thought about how long the last six weeks have been and how every day I have reminded myself to take it one day at a time with Doc.  On the days that he was sound I would say to myself, "Good.  Let's keep him sound for tomorrow."  On the days that he was lame I would say to myself, "Don't give up, Ashley.  See what the IRAP treatment will do for him."  Three weeks ago, after The Fork, when I knew that we were going to make it here, I was so thrilled and grateful to be given this chance.  Today I had to remind myself that I WAS given this chance, and that we made it here and that Doc and I were ready for what Rolex has to offer this weekend.  Even though I really had no choice but to withdraw him, knowing that made it easier for me to gracefully tell the panel that we would not re-present.  As life goes day by day, today was not our day for some reason.  The other thought that went through my mind is that the Jersey Fresh CCI*** is in two and a half weeks at the Horse Park of New Jersey.  Assuming that this lameness today is going to resolve quickly, Doc is fit and ready to rock and roll.  Rolex is a four star, so we have a good chance of placing well at a three star.  Standing in the hold box I knew I had to take my lemon and make it lemonade.  

Doc's owners, Mr. and Mrs. Wetherill, arrived on the grounds in time to see the trot up and to watch Doc.  They were shocked too at the sudden turn of events and agreed with my decision to withdraw him.  As always, they were both wonderful.  This is a big let-down for them too.  They haven't had a horse compete at Rolex in several years.  

Tonight I am going to have Brian by my side, catch up with some friends, and have a stiff drink!  I have already printed out my Jersey Fresh entry and will mail it in after assessing Doc tomorrow.  We are all going to stay through Saturday to watch and learn for next year!  I can't tell everyone how thankful I am for all of your messages, well wishes, and support leading up to this weekend.  This sport has many setbacks, but I know we are on the brink of a new level of knowledge and horsemanship and that is exciting for me.  We are going to keep our feet moving, get Doc back on track, and continue to improve upon what we know now.

I will report back on Doc as soon as I know anything!

Ashley   

  

       

Rolex, Tuesday April 21st

We arrived yesterday.  I had forgotten how beautiful this part of the country is.  There are rolling hills, the spring blossoms are out on the trees and the grass is so green!  Just after we got to Kentucky horse park I was grazing Doc in a spring shower and I saw the sun come through.  I turned and there was a full rainbow spreading over the showgrounds!  

The last time I was here to watch was two years ago.  The crowds throughout the weekend are incredible.  They are nothing like any other show in my sport in this country.  I was wondering what I would think about competing in front of such an audience.  I still don't exactly know the answer, as today everyone is still unpacking and settling in.  The spectators won't arrive in force until later in the week.  What I felt upon arrival to the showgrounds though, surprised me.  I saw the big, new, beautiful grandstand that has been built for the World Equestrian Games that are going to be held here next year and I felt happiness!  I am actually looking forward to riding in that ring!  

Gina and Holley arrive today.  The trot-up is at 3:00 tomorrow afternoon and Doc will do his dressage on Thursday after lunch.  

Until tomorrow!

Ashley    

Sunday at Ocala *

Jet finished 18th out of 42 starters today.  I was disappointed with our stadium, we had three rails down, but I couldn't be too upset with him.  After the trot-up this morning I ran home, loaded up Doc, took him to the track, galloped him, then took him home and ran back to the show to do stadium on Jet.  I didn't even get a chance to walk the stadium course.  It was a conscious decision today that it was more important to do Doc's last gallop than to do everything perfectly for Jet.  Anyway, we are off tomorrow morning.  At the end of the weekend I'm still very pleased with Jet.  He is ready to move up to intermediate.

    

Cross Country Day

Jet jumped so well today on cross country!  I had a ball on him.  He is ready to move up to intermediate.  He was brave and was looking for what was next.  We are now 18th out of 42.  Tomorrow is show jumping, and Doc's final gallop before we leave for Kentucky on Monday.

Brian came out to help today, as did my mom and friends Jutta and Laurie.  It is great to have a support team!  We had a momentary laugh, though.  Laurie used to event and once we were in the ten minute box with Jet's tack off I asked her to walk him.  I was chatting to Jutta and when I looked up a minute later, Laurie was GONE!  At FEI shows, they are very particular about the rules, and one rule is that the horse can't leave the ten minute box after cross country until they are checked out by a vet.  We waited a few minutes . . . still no Laurie.  I began to wonder if she had walked him back to the barn!  Finally we spotted her WAY across the field towards the barns ambling around.  We got her back into the box eventually and got a vet to come check Jet out.  The vet said, "Boy, we must have lost track of you with all of the other horses walking around!"  I just nodded my head and agreed!  

Dressage Day at Ocala *

Jet improves on his dressage from the fall by seven points, scoring a 56.3.  Doc does a practice run of the Rolex test, scoring a 68.5.  Cross country for Jet today!  Doc just did his last prep jump school at home this morning.

Ocala CCI*

We are four days away from leaving for Rolex.  Excitement is mounting.  I've never had a horse as fit as I have Doc now.  Before we leave, however, I am spending the weekend running Jet in the Ocala CCI*.  Today was his trot up.  Tomorrow is his dressage.  I look forward to see how he has grown up since we did this show in November.  I will try to blog as frequently as I can over the next ten days, though time is tight!

Doc being silly.

Yes, this is my horse ROLLING in the pond in his field.  Jet looks on wondering what on earth he is doing.  

The Fork, Sunday

Doc jumped a lovely stadium round today.  He had a slight bit of heat on his knee this morning, but we iced him and treated his leg.  He was sound.  The stadium course was big and challenging.  Doc had two rails.  In my entire division there were only two clear rounds.  At the end of the day Doc and I finished the weekend 13th out of 30 starters.  This weekend was a good test for both of us.  It was a good mental preparation for Rolex and it was a test to see if Doc could hold up to completing an advanced horse trials.  I will assess him tomorrow and Tuesday, but finishing cross country sound and jumping again today was the biggest physical test for his leg between now and Rolex.  For the next two and a half weeks I will be able to train and condition him in controlled environments.  Three more weeks will only leave him stronger.  It looks like we are going to get to go this year!  I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have "life" give me this opportunity.  This has been such a goal of mine.  I feel a little bit incredulous that we are so close, but at the same time I am very excited.  My goal this year is to go and have fun and let everyone see what a special little boy Doc is.  Of course on dressage day it may be a capital "S" special, but in the jumping he will shine.

My redhead Jet also jumped well today.  He felt stiff in his back after making the time on cross country yesterday, so we had two rails.  That is unusual for him, but he should be just fine with a little arnica and a massage.  How spoiled the boys are!      

My wonder-hubby Brian is driving us all back to Ocala as I write.  Tomorrow will be a day of cleaning and catching up with my boys Monte, Wes, and Gavin at the farm.

Until next time!

Ashley   

The Fork Update

Just a quick update!  On dressage day I had two nutty horses.  Neither one of them has been to an overnight show in several months.  In his test, Doc scored a one and a nine and EVERYTHING in between.  I think it is one to frame!  Jet's test was more consistent than Doc's, but he still enjoyed spooking at a muck tub at one end of the ring.  

Today was cross country.  Both horses were awesome.  They  loved being out there.  The course was big and encouraged galloping.  There were three water jumps on Doc's course and he jumped them with confidence.  The Fork also holds what they call Heritage Days the same weekend that they run this show.  Heritage Days is a community weekend that encourages the enjoyment of the outdoors.  The weather was beautiful today so there was a nice sized crowd.

It is a fun show this weekend because it is a big prep for the spring three days.  Everyone seems to be here this weekend.  Tomorrow we will see how sound Doc is.  Things are starting to look more positive for Rolex.  We'll see if we can keep him patched together!  My fingers are crossed!     

The Fork

Doc's jump school went well on Monday and we are currently en route to The Fork in Norwood, NC!