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These are the best pictures I've gotten of Springer in a long time, and the best condition he's been in in about a year. After he fractured his shoulder in October 1999, he lost about 200 pounds, maybe a bit more. He's an incredibly picky eater, and it's been amazingly difficult to get that weight back on. For the past few months, though, he's been looking FABULOUS.
I haven't been riding Springer at all--I just don't have the time. I'd like to get him back into work, and get him reasonably fit. He's just such a good boy (a real schoolmaster type) and lots of fun to ride. His stifles are pretty well shot, though, so I'll never seriously compete him again. Maybe a baby novice, or dressage or H/J schooling shows, depending on how his joints feel when he goes back to work.
Springer's taken care of me for a lot of years, though, and has earned his retirement. |
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Fit and clean--sure looks different, doesn't he? ;-) |
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This is such a good picture of Springer, it's unfortunate that my leg just sucks! I'm not real sure what happened here--all I can say in my defense is that this event was held in just one day, with stadium as the last phase and I was tired! (Not much of an excuse...LOL) Springer did really well at this show, his first Training level event. We had one problem cross-country, but it was a green rider/green horse mistake. The course had double up banks which Springer had never seen before, and I'd never riden anything like it. We got it on the second try, but it cost us a ribbon. I think we finished 8th. |
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Springer, sadly, was euthanised in November 2003. Rest in peace, old man.
He was just hurting too much to keep in this world.
I will always remember the lessons he taught me.
I can only hope to find another horse as talented and forgiving as him. |
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