Photos and Article by: Tootie Trouy
A broken hock. For most horses, those words would signify the end of their career, and for some, the end of their lives. For the 16.1h, 9-year-old Quarter Horse bay gelding, Thou Art, it almost did. He had finished third at the Congress as a 3-year-old and had won the Southern Bell Futurity, but his injury landed him at a sale barn in the summer of 2012, most likely destined for slaughter. Thankfully, veterinarian and avid AQHA exhibitor Dr. Ellen Deming-Jumper and trainer David Berrie, both of Diamond D Quarter Horses in Jackson, TN, decided that James, as he is known around the barn, deserved a second chance at life, and, maybe, a second chance in the show ring.
Having been saved from an almost tragic end, James' road to recovery was anything but smooth. He had only been at Dr. Deming-Jumper's barn for ten days before he had to be rushed to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University for an emergency tracheotomy, for complications from strangles he had acquired while at the sale barn. Due to a stubborn fever, which kept James contagious, needing continued observation, he remained at MSU for a month and a half before returning to Jackson, TN. “He almost died multiple times!” exclaimed trainer David Berrie while telling of James’ past. “He wanted to live!” It would take several more months of rehabilitation, including the repair of his hock through injections that stimulate the production of joint fluid, allowing proper lubrication, before James would make his way back to competition.
Perhaps one of the qualities that makes this horse so remarkable is his versatility. Since putting him back to showing in December 2012, Dr. Deming-Jumper has accumulated over 100 points with him in the show ring. He excels in Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Western Riding, Showmanship, Performance Halter, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Barrels, and Poles, avoiding only the Over Fences and Working Hunter classes, as his hock injury no longer allows him to compete in these classes. Most recently, he has added Pleasure Driving to his resumé.
While at the WTQHA Summer Circuit show in Memphis, one more entry was needed in order to complete the Pleasure Driving Class. Barrie and Deming-Jumper knew he had competed in driving before, so they decided to give it a shot. The night before the class, James was hooked up and taken through a “crash course” preparing for competition the following day. After a trip to Wal-Mart for a skirt to complete Deming-Jumper's outfit, the pair were entered for the first time together in the Pleasure Driving class. Expecting only to help out and complete the class, all were shocked when they placed second and earned another half a point! “He is just a great horse!” gushed Berrie as he helped my two-year-old daughter feed James cookies, one his favorite treats.
In fact, he is currently in contention for the year end title of Open High Point All Around Horse. “We have had several people ask to purchase him,” explained Berrie. However, he is not currently for sale. James only lacks 4 Amateur and 5 ½ Open points to complete his AQHA Championship. Once he reaches this goal, he has been promised the life of luxury in retirement. This only seems fair when, in such a short amount of time, James has given so much. Every time James competes, always wearing the number 590, he gives his all. He seems to be trying his best in return for Dr. Deming-Jumper for saving him – for giving him a second chance.
A broken hock. For most horses, those words would signify the end of their career, and for some, the end of their lives. For the 16.1h, 9-year-old Quarter Horse bay gelding, Thou Art, it almost did. He had finished third at the Congress as a 3-year-old and had won the Southern Bell Futurity, but his injury landed him at a sale barn in the summer of 2012, most likely destined for slaughter. Thankfully, veterinarian and avid AQHA exhibitor Dr. Ellen Deming-Jumper and trainer David Berrie, both of Diamond D Quarter Horses in Jackson, TN, decided that James, as he is known around the barn, deserved a second chance at life, and, maybe, a second chance in the show ring.
Having been saved from an almost tragic end, James' road to recovery was anything but smooth. He had only been at Dr. Deming-Jumper's barn for ten days before he had to be rushed to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University for an emergency tracheotomy, for complications from strangles he had acquired while at the sale barn. Due to a stubborn fever, which kept James contagious, needing continued observation, he remained at MSU for a month and a half before returning to Jackson, TN. “He almost died multiple times!” exclaimed trainer David Berrie while telling of James’ past. “He wanted to live!” It would take several more months of rehabilitation, including the repair of his hock through injections that stimulate the production of joint fluid, allowing proper lubrication, before James would make his way back to competition.
Perhaps one of the qualities that makes this horse so remarkable is his versatility. Since putting him back to showing in December 2012, Dr. Deming-Jumper has accumulated over 100 points with him in the show ring. He excels in Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Western Riding, Showmanship, Performance Halter, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Barrels, and Poles, avoiding only the Over Fences and Working Hunter classes, as his hock injury no longer allows him to compete in these classes. Most recently, he has added Pleasure Driving to his resumé.
While at the WTQHA Summer Circuit show in Memphis, one more entry was needed in order to complete the Pleasure Driving Class. Barrie and Deming-Jumper knew he had competed in driving before, so they decided to give it a shot. The night before the class, James was hooked up and taken through a “crash course” preparing for competition the following day. After a trip to Wal-Mart for a skirt to complete Deming-Jumper's outfit, the pair were entered for the first time together in the Pleasure Driving class. Expecting only to help out and complete the class, all were shocked when they placed second and earned another half a point! “He is just a great horse!” gushed Berrie as he helped my two-year-old daughter feed James cookies, one his favorite treats.
In fact, he is currently in contention for the year end title of Open High Point All Around Horse. “We have had several people ask to purchase him,” explained Berrie. However, he is not currently for sale. James only lacks 4 Amateur and 5 ½ Open points to complete his AQHA Championship. Once he reaches this goal, he has been promised the life of luxury in retirement. This only seems fair when, in such a short amount of time, James has given so much. Every time James competes, always wearing the number 590, he gives his all. He seems to be trying his best in return for Dr. Deming-Jumper for saving him – for giving him a second chance.
