b'Finishing with ExcellenceIt had been 2years since we had been there! They had done quite some improvements. Kyss especially liked the new warm-up arena. We were all set to compete, and then suddenly Kyss was limping! She never had any problems in all the years I have had her, but now she definitely was lame. It appeared to be a bruised hoof, so therecommendation was to put on front shoes. The problem: Kyss absolutely hates to be shod. We had tried it once before and quickly gave up. But now she really needed shoes. The solution: she has to be sedated when Bart the farrier comes. Theshoeshelped;Kysswassoundandhappy!We decided to keep her on light duty over the summer with less jumping.She did very well in the classes she attended. I had learned that we were only 4 points away from the magical 100 needed for the awardand now, of course, I wanted to get those last 4 points. InOctoberweheadedbacktotheWorldEquestrian Center. Would we complete our goal?The start to the show was not promising. Kyss was doing very well in the warm-up arena, but did not like the jumps close to the bleachers in the competition arena so we had a few refusals there. In Hunter competitions there are not only classes over fences but also on the flat, called Under Saddle.Kyss normallyPC: Alexa Mearsdoes quite well in those. However, in the first Under Saddle class she was quite full of herself and tried to pick up a canter when she was supposed to trot. It was barely even one canter stride, but unfortunately the judge was staring right at us Melissa told me afterwards. It could only get betterand it did. PC: Winslow Photography On the last day Kyss showed her true potential and had nice rounds. But would that give us our points? I did not know how many riders were in the over fences classes. So we would have to wait till the USHJA published their points, which normally happens in December. I sent my NFHR Awards form in and then I was waiting. The email came on January 4th: GVF Troika accumulated 100 points and has earned the NFHR Award of Excellence.I am so proud of my girl! And I have to thank the Fiedler family who so beautifully bred her; a perfect Fjord Horse.Also thanks to our trainer ,Melissa Kalmink, who has put up with us all these years. We could not have done it without her help. Andnowthereweare,GVFTroikaE-FinishingWith Excellence.For more information on the NFHR awards programs please visitthewebsite:www.nfhr.comandclickontheAwards Programs tab. PC: Winslow PhotographyFjord Herald Issue #147Summer 2023 17'