Stærebogårds Ajour DECEASED

Gelding born 2008 by Alligator Fontaine/Come Back II/Castro on the day of his euthanisation

In April 2014, Ajour cleared his first CNC100 (pre-novice) with so much confidence that the World Breeding Championships in Lion d’Angers seemed more obvious than ever.

Less than two weeks after – three days before his final 1* qualifier – we were going to do just 20 minutes of easy flatwork in the outdoor. After having trotted for 5-minutes time in eights, his right hind acted off when turned to a straight line. Competition for his sake was off. I had a fall with Ziggy in cross and fractured my shoulder.

Right after the show, I noticed how his right hind was swinging out and then forward when being lunged. We brought him to my vet, who believed the only reason could be Wobbler, but the symptoms were unclear, and the disease is extremely difficult to diagnose from tests etc.

The following three months were spent taking tests, while Ajour was in complete box rest most of the time – the only expections being a bit of walking by hand and trot-up checks in the lunge.

Late August we decided to have a myelography taken.

August 22nd – Ajour admitted to the hospital.

August 23rd – myelogram showed that the contrast medium couldn’t flow past the C6 and C7 vertebrae, meaning that he’s slowly being paralysed starting from the hind.

August 24th 2014 – Ajour is euthanised.

2 years old, stallion

First time on XC obstacles, 3 years old (February 2012)

Beneath is the text from early 2013

Ajour is my youngster born 2008. He is such a fantastic horse, and after being broken by Shane Mosele he has behaved quite well! Shane is a horse-whisperer-guy, and he works great with the horses. After just 30 minutes with Ajour, he was on top of him. When I was there to visit those two first time, Shane just pulled in Ajour from the field to the riding hall, brushed him a bit – and jumped up. Without saddle, bridle .. nothing!

Shane was not going to educate Ajour, as that is not his thing. He “just” made my kid completely tame, and ready to go. I’ve been really excited about getting him started, and he sure has not let us down. He fulfills all of our ambitions and expectations to him, so who am I to complain!? Hopefully, he’ll be running for the Worlds in Lion d’Angers next year, but we’ll see!

I’ve known him since he was born, and I love him so, so much. Hopefully he will be my top-eventer to take over from my experienced horse(s). It will bring a lot of exiting challenges to be with him every day and to teach him everything from the beginning. Lots of hard work will – fingers crossed – shape him into a fantastic 3* and 4* horse.

As you might see from the videos underneath, he’s very honest – and very wild!

 

 

 

Ajour 30 months old