October 8th, 2010, I lost one of my greats here on the farm. CBS Krystal Kat+ was only a 2 year old when I first met her, in the summer of 1986. I was Krystal's groom at Claire Boyd Stables, the show barn I worked at for over 10 years. Not too long after I purchased Krystal, broke her, trained her, I found myself in horse show paradise with this amazing mare. We were regulars on the "A" Circuit in the 1990's, winning many Top 5's at Region 12 and 14, but 1998 was "our year". We were Region 12 Champion in Hunter Pleasure, Region 12 Reserve Champion Green Working Hunter, Region 14 Top 5 Hunter Pleasure, and Top 10 at the U.S. National Championships in Hunter Pleasure in Louisville, KY.
After an amazing show career I began giving lessons on this angel. She was 16.1 hands but a giant puppy dog. Krystal taught so many riders how to ride, and was always so forgiving and loving. She taught my daughter to ride. I would put Gracie on her when Gracie was 2 years old and trust Krystal to take care of her.
October 8th was a good day. I was working for my boyfriend to help out since they were short handed at his shop, when my dad called to say Krystal was down and felt something was wrong. She was fine that morning when I fed her. I don't know why everything suddenly went wrong. Dad called the vet, did everything he should have done, but Krystal was just ready to go. We put her to sleep at 5:30 that afternoon, I weeping by her side. I've owned horses for over 25 years and never had a bad colic, so God has been good to me.
The vet thinks she may have had something worse going on inside, perhaps tumors. Krystal was almost 27 and had led such a dandy life. I will miss her so much, and will probably cry everytime I think about her. What a blessing she was. I own her half sister, Not Tu Shabby, who oddly enough has the same markings as Krystal, only she's black. I'm looking forward to getting this mare on the show circuit next year. I know my Krystal Kat will be smiling down on us from heaven! I told Krystal right before we put her to sleep to wait for me, that I would see her again one day, and I will...I know it.
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