Horse of the Year Show Qualifying Story 💜
“Last year was the best and also the worst year. In July I qualified for hoys on my horse of a lifetime “Brodie” an 8 year old Arab I had purchased as a yearling.
“This was my first year trying to qualify for hoys and we did it on his 4th attempt. I was so excited so proud however things quickly turned south. 3 weeks after qualifying Brodie ended up with laminitis with two rotated pedal bones.
“Also that same time I became very ill, I couldn’t breathe I couldn’t ride or run, I kept going trying to push through it, until I ended up in hospital and was extremely close to heart failure.
“By the time October came neither of us were sound or healthy to compete but getting him back right was my main priority. November soon came around, another month, another X-ray and the worst news I could ever image, his pedal bones had rotated and penetrated, I was utterly heartbroken and seeing him so unhappy, I did the kindness thing and let him go. By this point I wanted to give up horses, I lost my horse of a lifetime, I still wasn’t fully healthy myself and wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to get back in the ring.
“I thought about it over winter and knew I wasn’t a quitter, I’m too young to give up everything I’ve worked so hard for. So I pulled my 5 year old Arab out “Sarab” and thought it’s time to school you.
“He was a nervous boy and I’ve owned him for two years. My dream was still to one day have my ride at hoys! Sarab was only backed a few months prior by myself and had done no shows under saddle, no ride judges no experience.
“Completely through him in the deep end, 3 shows, 3 ride judges was all it took and he got his gold ticket for HOYS! I was shocked, I didn’t believe it.
“It means so much to me after last year and he tried his little heart out with everything I’ve thrown at him. Proud is an understatement and just to be there and experience it all from behind the scenes is a memory I will be able to cherish.”
Jodie Gibson owning and riding Sarab EN qualified for the NeedleSmart, John Illingworth and Cliff Kirby Ridden Purebred Arab of the Year Championship at The Classic Show