Vincente
was a wonderful horse that I was privileged to train and own.
It was in 1995 that Vincente first came into my life. As an unfit,
green broke, dark bay, 17 h.h., 8 year old Holsteiner/Trakhener, he
had a reputation of having a difficult temperament. He was a very
athletic horse with a sensitive mind and temperamental character, but
he had outstanding gaits and I was up for the challenge. After a 2
week trial, he was bought very inexpensively from his Californian
breeders.
After spending time solidifying the basics, our partnership flourished
but not without set backs. By 1996 we were the Canadian National Basic
4 Champions, and in early 1997 we were competing at the Medium 2 level
very successfully. Then the first tragedy struck.
Vincente and I were on our way to a horse show in the early morning of
June 1st, 1997, just 2 months before I was to be married to my husband
David. I sustained a double barrel kick in the stomach and suffered
major internal injuries which required surgery to repair and remove
destroyed organs. During the month long stay in hospital there were
many complications including pulmonary embolism, infections, and
pneumonia. I eventually had a full recovery, although on my wedding
day I was physically weak, underweight, and still unable to walk
standing upright. Not the most recommended way to fit a wedding
dress!! Despite this setback, I was determined more than ever before
to get back in the saddle and prove once again that Vincente was in
fact not a rogue. After all, accidents happen!
 |
| Karen and Vincente winners of the 1998 BC Freestyle Challenge. They won a car! |
In 1998, Vincente and I were back on track again and after a solid
winter of training, emerged in 1998 at the Prix. St. Georges/Intermediarre
I level. Once again we continued on our winning streak with scores in
the high sixties and low seventies and concluded the season by winning
a car at the prestigious BC Freestyle Challenge! This prompted me to
set our sights on the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba where
our qualifying scores appointed us to be one of the top contenders in
the country.
Shortly before the selection trial in May of 1999, a second tragedy
occurred. Unfortunately this time it was Vincente who was to suffer.
One May morning, Vincente was in need of antibiotics for a minor
infection. My regular veterinarian was out of town, so another
veterinarian was called. Given the upcoming trials, the veterinarian
recommended administering an intravenous antibiotic injection in
addition to oral antibiotics. The relatively inexperienced
veterinarian then made an irreversible mistake. This led to the
eventual euthanization of Vincente. Unfortunately he had to suffer and
endure unnecessary pain for over 12 hours. The most difficult
experience was watching Vincente needlessly have to suffer even after
pleading with the vet to euthanize him.
I remember Vincente as a truly remarkable horse. Vincent afforded me
many life lessons and provided many rewarding challenges in the art of
dressage. I often ponder the the depth of our success had we had more
time together. Not a day goes by that he in not in my heart.
...Karen
