renewed my resolve in terms of overall personal health and wellness, and to live very moment to the fullest.”
Back to Riding As time passed and her face was healing, Heather really longed to get back to riding. It had always been a family sport she shared with her husband and son, and she didn’t want to miss out on that bonding time. She says that while she does still own the horse that caused the accident, she is still afraid of him and that he is now living a happy retire- ment. Fortunately, the fear no longer extends to other horses. Heather remembers that she initially sat on a few quiet
horses, including her husband’s jumper, just to walk around. And her son’s pony Sparky, a 26-year-old with much expe- rience, was also a part of her equine-assisted therapy. She believes horses helped her rehabilitate. “I just got back on the horse; that was my therapy. My therapy was being at the barn, and, at first, playing with my son and his pony and develop- ing them. I acted as their coach; he was only four. That was my personal physical therapy—that emotional getting back on the horse. For me it was really important to be able to do that. Obviously I had to have a trustworthy animal.” “I will also say that my son’s pony, little Sparky, helped me
to just get back,” she continues. “I didn’t ride him; he’s tiny. But just working around him gave me confidence. To this day, though, I’m not particularly keen on picking out feet or bandaging legs.”
Perfect Timing Even with the fun she had coach- ing Cameron, Heather was ready to look for a show horse again. About a year after the accident Heather met hunter trainer Diane (Di) Lang- muir and they instantly clicked. “Her encouragement by the side of the ring and her emphasis on absolute preparation was vital. As a teacher, that feeling of being prepared is something that is first and fore- most in my mind. Di has the ability to bring out the best in both horses and riders,” Heather says admiringly of her trainer. Di is equally complimentary
gelding appropriately named Perfect Timing, whose regis- tered name is Ali GS and barn name is Romeo. He is by Heling, out of Amourette GS by Always Run Lucky xx and bred by Charlotte Schickedanz of Galten Farms in Markham, Ontario. “I purchased Romeo for another client, Jordan Maliakkal, in the fall of 2015,” Di explains. “Jordan and her parents were interested in a part boarder to help with the time constraints Jordan faced with a busy high school schedule. I immedi- ately thought of Heather. Romeo is a very experienced ‘Big Eq’ horse and I knew Heather could finally relax, feel safe and enjoy riding. It was a perfect match for all parties.” Pairing Heather and Romeo was an “it’s a small world”
situation. Heather actually remembers seeing him compete as a young horse and knew the moment she got on that he was the right horse for her recovery. “I remember him as a four-year-old being the quietest, loveliest horse. He’s had that reputation through his whole career. He has had quite an illustrious show career; I remember seeing him show here at the Royal in the 4’3” hunter derbies. From my first ride on Romeo, I knew he was a horse of a lifetime. He has the most rhythmical canter and beautifully correct jump of any horse I’ve ridden. He is also a fantastic equitation horse, with a lovely counter canter, who extends and collects his stride with ease. For such a big horse, he can turn with the slight- est leg pressure, which makes handy hunter classics or derby classes so much fun!” There’s nothing like the fun of riding to take you away
from the cares of the day and Romeo has been worth his weight in therapy value. Since Romeo came on the scene, Heather and Cameron have had fun riding their horses together. Like many youngsters, Cameron has a fascination with Star Wars and so Romeo and Sparky were introduced to Jedi light sabers that are complete with the signature sound effect heard in the movies. Heather reports that both of their equine partners take the noise and battle action in stride. “I can genuinely say that I’m sure that I ride the only 3’ adult hunter that is literally light-saber-proof!” she laughs. Heather shared another story about Romeo’s bombproof
of Heather and says she is a great student and client to work with. “She fits very well into the program I have at Langmuir Equestrian Services. Heather has a good eye and a natural empathy with her horse. We did have to overcome some fears associated with her accident and some of the history she had with her old horse.” Heather’s urge to get back to the show ring and the need
Heather and her coach Diane Langmuir in the stables at the 2016 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
to find a trustworthy, competitive horse for her sent Di on a mission to find a good candidate. The ideal match came in the form of a 13-year-old, 17.2-hand, gray Anglo-Trakehner
nature. She and her son were taking a trail ride at Gim Crack Equestrian Center in Schomberg, Ontario, where they board the family’s horses. “One of our first hacks together was on a cold and blustery November day. I was hacking with my five- year-old son and his pony through the forest when a giant buck and doe burst out of the bushes right in front of us. Neither Romeo nor my son’s pony flinched, so we decided that Santa was calling his reindeer to the North Pole for Christmas and continued enjoying our late-fall hack.”
Riding at the Royal As the spring of 2016 arrived, Heather had the goal of competing again on the tough A-show circuit in the popular 36 & Over Adult Amateur Hunter 3’ division. Their first show in May was in the snow and sleet, but Romeo performed as if it was a summer day and they earned their first second-place ribbon together.
Warmbloods Today 33
Brent Cuddy
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