The Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire : Official 2012 Show Program

THE DÉJÀ VU [MEMORIAL AWARD]
“In Loving Memory of a World Class Horse”
How do you say goodbye to a creature that is so noble, so grand, and
so giving? Our horses are our dance partners, without them there is
no sport. With them we create music, harmony … beauty.
On September 19, 1994, my Déjà vu was put down to end his pain.
In July of 1993, at the Olympic Sports Festival, he was going the best of
his life. Four days before competition began, he came up severely lame.
Once home, we found out that he tore cartilage in his stifle. He was
operated on one month later, the torn cartilage flap had to be removed,
leaving him with no cartilage in that area. We could only hope that
the fibro-cartilage that would form in the area would be dense enough
to give him the cushion he needed to be pain-free, since there was no
joint replacement available for a horse’s stifle. We used every modality,
injection, and additive that was available to aid in the growth of fibrocartilage.
Over a year later we were faced with a decision I had never faced
before. He could not walk without limping severely. He was in pain, both
physically and mentally. He had always loved to work and now could only
watch me on Dutch Treat. He called to us all day and night if he thought
he heard us coming out of the house.
DJ was a tremendous athlete. He was cocky and proud like a stallion,
but loving and cute like a baby. He loved the show ring. We were
preparing our debut in Grand Prix in 1994. He was my dance partner,
like no other I’d had before. He carried me through our “waltzes” with
grandeur. Without him I have felt lost. I have no partner: I can’t dance.
Through tragedy I have grown, and have found a stronger nucleus
of caring, love and support from my parents, family and friends. It
has helped me to remain positive and continue striving for my goals,
equestrian or otherwise. I miss DJ tremendously. He was buried north of
Santa Barbara, on a hillside overlooking the ocean. We thought this was
fitting. He lived with dignity and he died with dignity. This letter is in
memory of DJ and all the other special partners that have been lost.
Kim Keenan
2011 Winner Brian Hafner and Lombardo LHF
G o o d Lu c k t o al l Co m p e t i t o r s 51