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