Slam began his life as a stunning race horse prospect (Jockey Club registered as "Space Slam"), sired by the recently deceased and highly acclaimed sire Skywalker. He was an impressive $100,000 yearling. However, probably due to his unusually large size and promise, he was pushed too hard in training and fractured his left front sesamoid bone before he ever made it to his first race. He spent a year in a stall recovering, and has been completely sound and in steady consistent work for the last 4 years now. He'll never be a jumping prospect because of the injury, but the skies the limit as far as dressage goes, and he certainly shows the aptitude for FEI!
Slam had had some dressage training when I started working with him, but had never been shown. He has proven to be a fabulous show horse - quiet, steady, and consistent in new situations. See our 2003 show results here: Show Results 2003. See our 2002 show results here: Show Results 2002
In November 2002 Slam and I participated in a clinic with Paul Belasik, which was fabulous. We worked a lot on getting Slam into a more uphill frame and getting more swing through his back. We also spent one session working entirely on me and my position - which was great. Then in July 2003 we rode with the truly incredible Herr Walter Zettl. At that point Slam and I were having difficulty with the canter/walk transitions, but under Walter's tutelage we were able to get a smooth and perfect transition on the very first try!
After leasing Slam for a year and a half, Slam's owner made an offer for me to purchase him that I could simply not refuse. As my mare continues her stall rest and pregnancy, it was the right time as I simply could not be without a riding horse, and it will be many years yet before Tara's foal is ready to embark on his/her dressage career.
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