Feeling really happy :)

[Emma3599]

I bought Shah a year ago and yesterday 12 months after getting him I achieved my aim to take him to a dressage competition.:)

The last 12 months have been very stressful with Shah being lame and being diagnosed with Navicular and arthritus in his coffin joint:(. At times I worried whether we'd get him sound enough to ride. Even in the last few weeks he's had to have pads on temporarily due to his ongoing foot problems.

But thank goodness everything has come together and yesterday we went to our first competition together. I was so proud of him, he stayed so calm and was a superstar going in the indoor menage for the first time. :)

Our scores weren't great 55.7% in the intro B class and 55% in the Starters Prelim (although that got us a 5th place rosette!) but I was happy being there and getting over 50%!!. The comments from the judge were positive and I am starting doing more schooling to try and get him off his forehand and into an outline.

I'm not sure if all the folks that gave me adivce about Navicular and arthritus are still on here, but if they are i'd like to say thanks for the words of encouragement along the way. I know things won't always be like this but I'm making the most of every experience Shah and I can share!

Sorry i've waffled on but I'm just feeling really happy.:)

Here's a pic of him yesterday
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk222/seloveridge/shah/PA170003.jpg

[Lauzy]

You must be a very proud mummy. What an achievement!

He is a stunning boy! You both look great, well done!:)

[cookster1975]

Brilliant!:D

Well done, I'm really pleased for you. Fingers crossed you'll do plenty more.

[cobmum]

Brilliant, so pleased for you and dont worry about the scores! Your horse is gorgeous:D

[Krissie I]

Well done - he looks great.

[denisextilly]

Congratulations !!!what a lovely pic,gorgeous stripey mane ;):D

[fairlady]

Well done, what an achievement, glad it all came together for you, sounds
as though you deserved a bit of luck:)

He looks fabulous:)

[Emma3599]

Thanks for the replies. He's a really sweet horse, I love him to bits:)

[Kimmy C]

What a posh pair you make! Well done both of you x

[dont-luk-bac]

Well done, he looks lovely (little biased being a coloured owner myself tho :D) Have to ask how on earth do you get his mane so straight??? would love my boys mane to be as straight as that!

[Daisy_Roots]

Handsome chap :)
Well done on your score, onwards and upwards.

[Dylan1]

Well Done! Beautiful photo, you both look great.

[Emma3599]

His mane was only so straight because I washed it the previous night and he had a rug with a neck piece on over night. Normally its all over the place and looks 10 times thicker!:)

[annareeves0]

His mane was only so straight because I washed it the previous night and he had a rug with a neck piece on over night. Normally its all over the place and looks 10 times thicker!:)

It looks like you've had your GHDs at it!

Well done you. Hard fought victories are always sweetest :D

[Mimi + Me]

Well done, glad you reached your goal eventually and what a smart pair you look :)

[dont-luk-bac]

lol thought you'd found some magic straightening product

[hdonna]

Your story gave me a glimmer of hope. My son got Peaches in December and buy March she was lame. Still lame Had xrays done vet said foot balance prob. feet now balanced now still lame my gut instinct is soft soles as when the ground softened up recently she was sound for 2 days. I am looking forward to the rain this week to see if my theary is correct.

[Emma3599]

Hi hdonna, so sorry to hear about your horse, it's so stressful isn't it! It just takes so much time to get to the bottom of the problems doesn't it! I've had balance shoes put on Shah, he's had Tildren, a steroid injection and now pads between his hoof and shoe. I really hope you get to the bottom of Peaches problem soon.

Good luck.

Emma

[tiga]

COngratulations. I am biased for coloureds but he is just fabulous.

Hope you have lots dressage competitions and plenty of fun with him.