What a long, difficult journey this year has been! After preparing so beautifully all through the spring, poor Smooch (aka Sir Kiss) was sidelined for the entire summer and fall campaign with a freak turn-out related injury to his shoulder. Needless to say, he’s lost the privilege of group turn-out until he’s 25, or retired from competition- whichever comes first.

Kibitz (aka Lebanon King) didn’t escape the team curse either. In May, he somehow punctured the underside of his jaw on a nail. After battling re-occurring infections all summer, we finally radio-graphed his jaw and discovered it was broken in two places! Even Friday (aka Friday Night Bachelor) was struck by the curse when he tore up a foreleg in yet another play-time incident that sidelined him for nearly a month.

The good news is that once Kibitz and Friday were healed, they returned to work with wonderful attitudes. In late September at a local dressage show, Kibitz won both his classes with Friday taking second. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to compete these awesome young Thoroughbred-type horses knowing they have the gaits, presence and temperament to win at dressage, even against warm-bloods!

All three competition horses have begun indoor work now and are focusing on an ambitious schedule of shows for 2009, starting in Kentucky in April. I’m looking forward to a quiet winter working on fundamentals so we can all jump confidently into the 2009 competition season.

Thanks to the Young family for staying positive throughout Smooch’s injury and recovery. They’ve been unbelievably supportive during Smooch’s multiple trips to MI State Vet Cinic for radio-graphs and ultrasounds, an alarming diagnosis and grime prognosis. I am so grateful to have such steadfast partners who are willing to be patient with this amazing young horse.