As the season progressed, they were ranked thirteenth in the division in Ontario and were first on the waiting list to qualify for the invitation-only competition at the presti- gious Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Horse Show held at the Canadian National Exhibition Center along the lakefront in Toronto. When someone else dropped out two weeks before the Royal, Heather learned that she and Perfect Timing had qualified to go after all. Heather and Di quickly formed a plan and packed for the show. It had been 31 years since Heather had shown there and she was both excited and nervous. “Romeo and I only competed at half of our provincial
competitions so Di, Romeo’s owners and I were thrilled that we qualified to compete,” she says about the Royal. “The arena is a very intimidating one for both horses and riders since it is so unlike any other venue we compete at during the year. I was very nervous. But just as he did in the beginning of the year, Romeo came into his own under exceptional circum- stances. As we walked out of the chute into the floodlit arena and crowds, Romeo looked around the stands and I believe he knew how much I was counting on him. He jumped spectacu- larly, putting in an extra special effort, winning a fourth, fifth and seventh over fences. When I tallied all the points of competi- tors in my division, Romeo and I ranked fourth in Canada. Romeo truly is a horse who makes dreams come true.”
Besides her husband, son and her parents, Heather’s
students, both current Branksome Hall students and alumni, were also in the stands at the Royal. The staff from Di’s Lang- muir Equestrian Services and the staff and boarders from Gim Crack Stables were also cheering her on. “I thought of how incredibly lucky I was and felt a sense of gratitude to every- one in my life who’s helped me along the road to recovery. I think that they were all riding that horse around that ring with me. It was so meaningful to have everyone cheering for me. It was an enormous cheer and it moved me to tears. I felt that reaction after every round,” Heather remembers.
Celebration and Gratitude For his steadfast and spectacular performance at the Royal, Romeo received a massage and a bucket full of carrots, apples and Heather’s homemade version of “stud muffins.” She says he also celebrated by going home and rolling in the mud, a well-deserved break for a gray horse who had to stay spotless all week. The humans in Romeo’s life celebrated Royal Fair success
too. Heather and her family participated in some of the black- tie champagne parties that are part of the Royal festivities. But beyond the celebrations, there was also gratitude for the opportunity to be there. Heather thanks everyone who contributed to her recov-
ery. “I called my surgeon to tell him of the success we shared; success that I wouldn’t have had without him. I have to really give kudos to Romeo, and to Di and her team at Langmuir Equestrian, and to Dr. Antonyshian and his team. The nurses who would come to my house every day were wonderful. And, big thanks to my family. They all helped me to recover. But especially to my husband and son, because they were the ones who really encouraged me to get back in the saddle. They knew that horses are a dream that we all share. There was never a time when I wanted to give it all up.”
Looking Forward Current plans are for Perfect Timing to be shown again by Heather in the same division in 2017 and for his young owner Jordan Maliakkal to show him in the junior equitation medal classes. Heather looks forward to continuing her part- nership with Romeo. “I am very appreciative of the oppor- tunity the Maliakkal family has afforded me to share Romeo with them and to partner with them in his success. I look forward to supporting Jordan as she also competes with Romeo next year.” Above all else, Heather hopes
Top to bottom: Heather, two years after her accident. Heather is all smiles as she and Perfect Timing collect ribbons at the 2016 Royal Horse Show. Heather and Perfect Timing show great form over a fence during the 2016 Royal Winter Fair hunter competition.
34 January/February 2017
that her story can inspire others to endure and persevere in the face of life’s challenges. “I want to focus on resilience and the power of positivity. I believe that goal setting is the key to resil- iency. Setting goals, no matter how small, provides the frame- work for recovery and was a driving force for me to return to the show ring.”
Brent Cuddy
Photos by Shelley Higgins/MacMillan Photography
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