Goodbye Little Bella

Catokyo 6 Year Old Accummulator - Chepstow CSIYH1*

The results of Catokyo's bone scan and full examination at Arundel Equine Hospital were the one's I was dreading.  I was hoping that because she was a bit brighter in herself during the week she went to Arundel she was going to recover, but sadly they found that she was very wobbly, both in front and behind, and that her spinal chord was compressed from the top of her neck to her withers, meaning that she had very little control of either her hind or front legs.

In my heart of hearts I think I knew she wasn't going to make it, and that I was hoping for a miracle from Arundel, and really there was no decision to be made.  She wasn't really even totally steady in her stable.. She was so pleased to hear my voice when I went to collect her, and had two lovely, sunny afternoons in her pen in the field surrounded by her friends, before we had to say a horribly sad, final goodbye to her.

I hope that even though she had a very short life she had a good one.  Both Alice Palmer and I absolutely loved her and had a great time competing her.  She was such a little star, and I just loved riding her and jumping her.  She was so honest, scopey and careful, and so kind and gentle, especially to Mark who loved hacking her round the forest.  With both Alice and I she spent about 80% of her time hacking or sunning herself in the field, and she was loved by everybody and looked after like a princess. It's been a sad time for Steff, Mark and I who all looked after her, but luckily these days don't come along too often, and even in the year she was here she made a big place in all our hearts.