separate it into two different sections: the serum (which is now being used to treat injuries of the eye) and the platelet-rich plasma. Normally blood contains 50 to 100 platelets per milliliter; the PRP contains as much as 500 platelets per milliliter. The PRP was then injected into Amistad’s tendon where
the extra platelets force the blood to clot stimulating the healing process. Best of all, because the PRP is made from the animal’s own blood, it is extremely safe for the horse and there is very little chance of the horse rejecting it. Full recovery with the
assistance of PRP generally takes three to six months, depending upon the injury that it is treating. In Amistad’s case, he required hand walking for three months before he was cleared to start his rehabilitation under saddle.
Upon returning to
Canada, Dr. Maggie Turner of McKee Pownell Equine Service outlined a detailed plan for bringing Amistad back to work. Michele and her team were diligent about following Dr. Turner’s instructions and gave Amistad all the time he needed to recover. In all, Amistad was sidelined for nearly a year.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO KENTUCKY When Michele was confident that Amistad’s tendon had healed, she put him back into conditioning for the goal she had set in 2009 that couldn’t be reached: The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2010. This would be Michele’s first trip around America’s only four-star event, but she felt confident that Amistad would carry her safely around. The pair returned to Aiken, South Carolina to
resume preparations early in 2010. After running a few Intermediates to get Amistad back in the swing of things, Michele entered the 17-hand gelding into two Advanced horse trials to prepare for the international competitions. Amistad won both Pine Top and Chattahoochee Hills handily. “He was back to his old self!” Michele exclaims. As Rolex grew nearer, the customary major preparatory
event at The Fork Stables got underway. Michele and Amistad turned in their usual brilliant dressage ride and were sitting in a very comfortable position to move up the standings after cross-country. Unfortunately, a slip and fall
22 July/August 2010
on cross-country eliminated them from the competition. While a mistake like that may have flustered some riders approaching their first four-star event, Michele remained professional and confident. “Our slip and fall on the turn between fences 3 and 4
didn’t shake my confidence,” reports Michele. “It only made me realize the importance of having the shoes on him that he is used to, which my farrier, Stewart Bruce, hand makes. When I was in Aiken before heading to Chattahoochee Hills, I had some of his shoes shipped down from Canada, which we put back on him. We both have even more confidence now!” Rolex was now but a few
weeks away and rather than dwelling on the slip at The Fork, Michele focused on the finishing touches that Amistad needed for Kentucky. Despite her outwardly calm appearance, Michele admits to having some pre- Rolex nerves, as most riders do. “Rolex was exciting and
nerve racking at the same time. I
remember that ‘oh-my-god’ feeling just sending in my entries!”
Upon arriving at the Kentucky Horse Park,
Amistad passed the first horse inspection with flying colors. The pair rode their dressage test on the Friday of the competition, so Michele took Thursday to relax and prepare. In the end, she was thrilled with the effort he gave her in the test. “He kept cool under the pressure of the big ring and
the crowds during Friday’s dressage much better then I thought he would,” she smiles. “I was so proud of him for his performance in the dressage ring. He only had a few explosive moments when crowds cheered!” With their very solid dressage score safely under their
belts, Michele and Amistad got ready for Saturday’s cross- country run. Because of approaching inclement weather, the competition schedule was changed the morning of cross-country, so Michele had to ride before her original ride time. That didn’t come close to bothering her or Amistad as they galloped and jumped the course brilliantly. The final horse inspection on Sunday morning
provided tense moments for some competitors, but not for Michele and Amistad. The ground jury once again passed the stunning gelding with flying colors and allowed him to move on to show jumping. Again, Michele wasn’t disappointed in her partner’s
Photo above by Erica Larson.
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