In the spring of 1999, just nine months off the racetrack, Heart, who was renamed "Don’t Touch," began her show career. Kings Bridge was kept abreast of her progress as each successive show passed. Over the summer months, Heart and Rachel began to wrack up some serious points towards year-end awards. At one of the shows, the judge stopped Rachel after her class before leaving the arena with Heart to ask how long she had been in training. When she learned Heart was fresh from her racing career and virtually a baby in her new life, the judge complimented Heart and Rachel on their ability together, noting she would really like to see Heart again after several years of additional training.
As the last show of the 1999 season loomed for Lee and Rachel, they continued to carefully prep Heart. The most important thing on their minds was not to over-train or stress Heart at this early stage. She had loads of ability and still much to learn. In October, Kings Bridge received news from Lee that Rachel and Heart had earned year end Champions of the Green Horse Division of the S & L Horse Show Series in Warwick, RI.
They sent us many candid and formal photographs of Lee and Rachel taken at various shows. This is an outstanding achievement for Lee and Rachel. They should be very proud. Of course, Heart’s willingness and ability helps to make it all work.
Lee recently wrote to tell us she believes Heart will make a beautiful driving horse and has begun the lightest of initial training sessions when the weather has been good enough to introduce her to this new discipline. They will also continue to move forward with Heart’s show training as well once the weather breaks. We just knew when Heart arrived at Kings Bridge that she was a very special horse. She did not do well at the racetrack but she certainly has shown the willingness and intelligence to be a worthy subject in this new discipline while being guided by the loving and caring hands of Lee and Rachel. Our congratulations to all!
