Karry wins ArcEquine Golden Voucher

When Karry Gardner's talented 14yo pure bred Lusitano mare Utopia de Santarem (Tia) injured her left stifle last autumn, it heralded months of veterinary investigations and treatment, but still a gloomy prognosis. So after a recommendation from a friend, Karry decided to give the ArcEquine a go. Imagine her delight when the newly purchased ArcEquine kit arrived containing a 'Golden Voucher' for a full refund of the complete purchase price!

Tia, ridden by Beth Robinson

Karry, who lives near Scarborough in North Yorkshire, explains: "I'd spent a lot on Tia, £2500 just for the arthroscopy surgery, but the Golden Voucher win was like a 'sign' - it wasn't just about the money. Tia was a surprise present from my husband following a holiday to the horse fair in Golga, Portugal, where I sat on her and felt there was 'something' about her. She was just four when she arrived, along with three birthday cards and three Christmas cards; she means a huge amount to me."

"My vet has been so negative lately as Tia was definitely not improving. As a result, I'd been feeling very depressed before speaking at length to a helpful ArcEquine advisor and ordering a unit. When it arrived, I initially put the Golden Voucher aside and when I picked it up again later thinking it was part of the instructions, I had to ask my husband to read it before I believed I'd really won!

"That day we put the ArcEquine on Tia for the first time and within half an hour she was chilling at the back of her box with her lip drooping, clearly more relaxed and comfortable. Two days later, she had her teeth rasped and was so laid back she didn't need the usual sedation. There was an obvious improvement in her left hind within days and we have already started a very careful programme of rehabilitation. I've now got faith and hope and I am in a place where I can say - I am going to do this - I am committed."

ArcEquine supports Lissa Green's eventing success

With a family background in eventing that would be the envy of most riders - Lissa Green's mother Lucinda Green was a six-times Badminton winner and her Australian father David Green a dual gold medallist, but until fairly recently, riding was more of a hobby and not a full time occupation, as Lissa herself explains......

"I only turned to riding and competing full time in the last couple of years but I always had one horse to event in the summer holidays between term time at school and university. My biggest highlight would be as first reserve for Team GB in the 2007 Junior European Championships; I remember being more than ecstatic when I got that phone call!

There are always low points with horses, sadly it comes with the territory, most notably when a horse is injured. When they hurt themselves it is truly horrible.

Lissa Green and Malin Head Clover

Secondly would be when I get injured, as I did last August when I had quite a nasty fall, as my then new ride Malin Head Clover misjudged the smallest fence on the course. Luckily he had a soft landing on me so was absolutely fine, but I came off a little worse with four fractured ribs, a broken collarbone, damaged rotator cuffs in my shoulder, multiple fractures to my jaw joint and my chin bone was split into two bits at the front. I had my chin plated and spent a week in hospital and hoped my collarbone would mend.

Five weeks later an X-ray revealed it hadn't and needed to be operated on, but I wanted to finish the season and although I was sore, it was worth it. The horse I fell on did two Intermediates and was 7th with a double clear on our last run.

I then had my operation and straight away my collarbone was so much more comfortable – with the bonus that I didn’t have to spend a winter perhaps worrying about how my nerves would be when I got back on Malin Head Clover. To top it off we managed three top 10 placings out of those last five competitions, so maybe I should fall off more often….

I have to say my parents have been a huge influence; they both treat me as an individual and always help when I need it, but don’t interfere too much. I have taken inspiration from so many amazing horsemen, it is such a privilege to be constantly around the calibre of rider that is competing today.

When it comes to fitness, I have a very strict schedule and I think plenty of road work is very important to keep hardening up the tendons on their legs. I also think feed is hugely important, as what you put into your horse has a massive impact on helping them perform at their best.

In addition, I rely on a brilliant little microcurrent unit called - an ArcEquine - for both my horses and myself. It is ideal to have around if any horses acquire an injury as it helps to heal more efficiently and in a fraction of the time; I love it. I used it on myself when recovering from my operations and when I went back to the physio's, they couldn't believe how good my shoulder was and how far ahead my recovery was. Definitely thanks to this super machine!

Follow Lissa Green Eventing on facebook.