SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
6
Saturday, November 16 2013 / Published in Weekly Feature

Overcoming the Impossible

By Dani Moritz

 

Taylor and Paula sharing a moment of peace. Photo by Wayne Spurgeon

Taylor and Paula sharing a moment of peace.
Photo by Wayne Spurgeon

Sidelines Magazine recently partnered with Tucci, makers of beautiful handcrafted riding boots, to host the “Anything Is Possible” contest, in which the winner would receive a custom pair of Tucci boots. The entries ranged from touching to inspiring to amazing – but one entry, sent in by a 16-year-old girl in Canada named Taylor Spurgeon was all of that – and more! Taylor’s remarkable story won the contest and we hope after you read about her journey, you will take the time to watch her YouTube video titled “1 Year Since the Tragic Accident of 11/19/2011 – We’re Gonna Fly Away From Here.” You can also watch the video on the Sidelines website. Word of warning on the video – you might sob like a baby! Please enjoy the story of this amazing young lady and her very lucky horse. And thank you to Tucci for sponsoring the contest – Taylor we hope you love your new Tucci boots, you are a very deserving winner! Editor’s Note: A second entry was equally inspiring, and the amazing people at Tucci selected both entries as winners. The second winner, who will also receive a pair of boots, will be featured in the next issue of Sidelines.

 

It could have been just another Saturday morning. It should have been a nice day at the barn for a weekend ride. But, what it became was a nightmare. The events that transpired that day turned into a heart-wrenching tale – but also an amazing story of courage and a valiant fight for survival. That day, a little girl and her mare proved that when there is faith, hope and love, anything is possible.

 

A couple of years ago, Canadian Taylor Spurgeon turned her 14.2 hand Quarter Horse/Standardbred mare, Paula, out in the pasture just as she always did. But, something happened that was far from the usual. A few minutes after turning her mare out, Taylor heard screams coming from the pasture. Within seconds, a chill crept down Taylor’s spine, her heart rate spiked and she felt a sharp pain in her chest.

 

As she ran out to check on her beloved Paula, her eyes focused on a sight she’ll never forget. Paula was trapped – caught beneath the wooden fence. And even after the barn owner dismantled the plank, the mare remained there – completely still and afraid.

 

When the emergency vet arrived, he confirmed Taylor’s worst fears. He told Taylor and her dad that Paula wouldn’t make it. He said those words nobody wants to hear: “It’s best to put her down.”

 

Taylor knew he was wrong. Paula was too strong, too loved and she was not ready to die. Taylor knew her best friend wasn’t going anywhere and the look in Paula’s eyes inspired Taylor to fight for the little mare’s life. So Taylor brushed away her tears, stood tall and embarked on a journey that would change both Taylor and Paula’s lives forever.

 

Taylor and Paula. Photo by Wayne Spurgeon

Taylor and Paula.
Photo by Wayne Spurgeon

The Will to Survive

The vet diagnosed Paula with a severe spinal cord injury and told Taylor her mare was too dangerous to be around. She was going to try to get up and, in the process she would likely injure herself and anyone around her. He also warned Taylor that if Paula wasn’t showing signs of improvement soon, she would have no choice but to let her go. He doubted she would ever stand again – let alone walk.

 

The frightened, still mare was moved back to the barn with an ATV and a slab of wood. Taylor never left her side. “I stayed with Paula the whole day and so did my friend and my dad,” said Taylor. “We slept over at the barn while Paula was still in the stall and she couldn’t stand up.”

 

That night, at about 12:30 a.m., the little mare gathered all the strength she had and attempted to stand – but her legs shook violently and she fell back down shortly after. An hour later, she stood again – and this time she stayed up.

 

In that moment, she proved to Taylor she could do it. Paula had the will to survive.

 

and could only walk a few minutes before having to go back to her stall. Photo by Evan Spurgeon

and could only walk a few minutes before having to go back to her stall.
Photo by Evan Spurgeon

A Long Struggle

Even after several weeks of improvement and daily hand walking, the vets still didn’t foresee a positive outcome. They told Taylor her horse too unstable, too dangerous. She was hopeless.

 

“She was unstable, but she wasn’t dangerous,” countered Taylor. “You’d have to watch out walking her around, but she had no signs of being in pain. She really just needed someone to take the time to recover her.”

 

And Taylor did just that. She gave her best friend the gift of time and patience. She even gave up horseback riding to help ease the financial burden for her parents so she could care for Paula.

 

Together, they graduated from hand walking indoors, to lunging and even being turned out outside. Little by little, Paula was gaining her strength back. Soon, she was galloping around the fields, enjoying the life everyone said she couldn’t have.

 

Still, Paula was not 100 percent healed. “She would fall down a bit but I still just thought she needed to get more muscle and she would get over it,” Taylor said. “Everyone said she would be in a stall for the rest of her life, because she was so unstable.”

 

And yet, Paula was now walking, trotting and cantering. She had already beat the odds. Hopeless was not the adjective to describe her.

 

Taylor also enlisted the help of a chiropractor – who lifted her spirits and worked miracles on Paula. One day she told Taylor something Taylor never expected to hear. She said, “I think this horse will be able to be ridden. You just have to work at it to get to that point.”

 

It’s hard for Taylor to explain just how happy that made her. This was the same horse that everyone told her she needed to put down – that would never walk again, let alone be ridden. “I was just happy that my horse was still alive,” she said.

 

Taylor and Paula are now jumping again – proving anything is possible! Photo courtesy of Taylor Spurgeon

Taylor and Paula are now jumping again – proving anything is possible!
Photo courtesy of Taylor Spurgeon

Achieving the Impossible

Six months after the accident, Taylor did the impossible. She sat on Paula for the very first time.

 

As she slipped her right leg into the stirrup and Paula turned her head to see her best friend siting there, tears rushed down Taylor’s cheeks and she collapsed onto Paula’s neck, hugging her tightly.

 

Slowly, Taylor began riding Paula more and more – building strength, balance and stamina. Taylor admits Paula was a bit unstable and she was crazy to keep going, but she did anyway. “I truly believed the more I rode, the stronger she would get,” Taylor said.

 

However, even she did not realize how far she and Paula would go. “From that point on, I would just slowly sit on her some days and just walk her around,” she said. I didn’t think it would become a habit because I had given up riding. It wasn’t important. What was important was Paula.”

 

Today, Taylor and Paula are not just walking, trotting or cantering. They are back jumping, galloping in the field and doing everything everyone said they would never do.

 

“If you really want something, you have to have determination to move forward and not give up,” she said. “Paula’s accident taught me that you have to keep trying no matter how hard it is.”

 

In the end, the young girl with an incredible spirit and the little mare with a brave heart defied the odds. Despite everyone saying they wouldn’t, they did. With dedication, courage and strength, together they learned that with a little faith and a lot of love anything is possible.

 

Taylor and Paula enjoying a ride in the field after the accident. Taylor said that it was an amazing feeling to forget the past and live in the moment.  Photo by Brittany Papiez-Lopata

Taylor and Paula enjoying a ride in the field after the accident. Taylor said that it was an amazing feeling to forget the past and live in the moment.
Photo by Brittany Papiez-Lopata

Taylor would like to thank her parents for their support. She would especially like to thank her dad for being such a huge part of Paula’s recovery and believing in Paula the entire time.

Don’t miss Taylor’s YouTube video – it is touching and proves that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!

http://youtu.be/ixZa6U4nExw

 

 

Thank you to Tucci for sponsoring the Anything Is Possible contest!!

Thank you to Tucci for sponsoring the Anything Is Possible contest!!

 

About the writer: Dani Moritz is a graduate of William Woods University with majors in Equine General Studies and Communications and is currently pursuing a Masters In Strategic Leadership at Stephens College. She is assistant editor and distribution manager for Sidelines Magazine and the proud owner of a beautiful Paint/Arabian mare named September. She is also the 2012 American Horse Publications Student Award winner.

 

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: Anything Is Possible, Canada, dani mortiz, equine, equine spinal cord injury, equine veterinarians, horse-magazine, hunter jumpers, jan westmark, Paula and Taylor, sidelines-magazine, Taylor Spurgeon, tucci, Wayne Spurgeon, wef, William Woods University, YouTube video

What you can read next

Yulia Bratkovskaya: Modeling An Equestrian Life
Dressage & Beyond with Charlotte Bredahl
Sara Kozumplik Murphy: Sharp, Strong and Ready

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
It’s been a while since I’ve shown. After Indo It’s been a while since I’ve shown. After Indoors we turned the horses out and let them be horses. But now it’s time and I’m getting ready to head to Florida for the winter circuit. I’m feeling a bit anxious about getting back into the competitive state of mind, doubting myself and feeling more stress than I did when I was showing. Is this normal? What’s happening to me? What do I do to get back into the right place in my head? Why do I keep going back to this if it does what it does to me at the start of each season? - a Sidelines fan

"Throughout human history, people have enjoyed organizing competitions—the Ancient Greek Olympic Games go back to 776 BC. If you look around, you’ll notice that competition is everywhere in the modern world. Many historians believe that 'competitiveness' is a biological trait that co-evolved with the basic need for human survival. However, returning to a competitive state after time off from being a competitive athlete can be quite daunting," says sports psychologist Margie Sugarman.

"The proper mindset keeps you grounded in the present instead of solely focusing on the results. This automatically helps lower the performance brain state and allows for better focus, performance and results- Focus on what you can control."

Read the full column at the link in our bio!

📸 Ruby Tevis #paard #eventing #pferdeliebe #horsemanship #equinelife #jumping #horsepower #equestrianlifestyle #caballos #horsestagram #pferdefotografie #horsegirl #horseshow #equestrians #ponies #quarterhorse #horselovers #mare #thoroughbred #showjumper #equinephotographer #instagram #horsephotographer #equitation #horseaddict #horsetraining #horseoftheday #gelding #equestrianphotography #sidelinesmagazine
Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and h Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and helping others is in her blood. She’s the daughter of a Venezuelan ambassador and has spent much of her professional career working in social services and animal welfare. In 2015, Emily took on the role of chief executive officer of Brooke USA Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules, and helping the people that depend on them for survival worldwide. 

“We are making a difference,” Emily said. “We will evaluate an animal at the start of a new program, and then just one, two and then five years later, we see marked improvements in terms of how they are handled, husbandry practices, what they eat and even how crops are being grown just to feed their animals—how feed is stored—and more. To see that end result firsthand is what I find most satisfying.”

Get to know Emily and how she helps working equines as the leader of @brooke_usa at the link in our bio!

Thank you to Brooke and Cody Holcomb of Wyco Ranch in Ft. Pierce, Florida, for the use of your farm, donkeys and horses for the Sidelines photo shoot.

📸 Melissa Fuller #equine #horse #equestrian #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrianlife #horseriding #dressage #instahorse #pony #horselove #pferd #equinephotography #showjumping #horselover #horselife #cheval #horsebackriding #horsephotography #equestrianstyle #donkey #pferde #horseofinstagram #equestriansofinstagram #riding #photography #equinesofinstagram #caballo #dressagehorse #sidelinesmagazine
The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here a The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here and it's filled with love - including the love story of dressage riders Sarah Lockman Tubman and Lee Tubman! Thanks to photographer Kristen Scott-Crocker for the beautiful photos and Kimberly Gatto for sharing Sarah and Lee's story. 

We have so many amazing stories in this issue—get to know Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin of Wordley Martin Equestrian, LLC, the two Kiwis have had a fascinating journey in the equestrian world! And meet three day eventer Liz Lund who not only has a great story but wins the award for holding the most horses in one photo taken by Sidelines photographer Melissa Fuller. Hint, it's more than five but less than seven - and everyone had their ears up!! Amazing! 

Also meet hunter-jumper rider and photographer Kirsten Hannah Lafforthun, artist Vanessa Whittell Equine-art, dressage rider Brett Ingram and Emily Marquez-Dulin of Brooke USA, which is a great organization to support - make sure to visit them! 

Meet Madison Ibach and Reagan Ibach, sisters who work at the Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort and have a huge social media presence - make sure to follow them on Instagram! We are excited to continue our Women Entrepreneur stories and introduce you to Gigi Stetler, President/CEO of Broward RV. 

We also feature three great breeding and stallion stories and introduce you to John Almond and Margaret Hoffecker Almond of Loafers Lodge Welsh, and Craig Heckert and Patty Larson of Rivervale Farm, and Kelly Sigler Patterson of Looking Glass Farm. Mary Choate has great answers to share in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists Rob R.L. Jacobs, George Williams, Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing and Margie Sugarman. 

Make sure to sign up for a year's subscription to Sidelines by visiting our website, www.sidelinesmagazine.com so you can get a copy of the magazine sent to your house or barn every month! Enjoy reading this issue now - link in bio!
FOR SALE: $6.3M--Unique 80-acre, waterfront, eques FOR SALE: $6.3M--Unique 80-acre, waterfront, equestrian estate with expansive views of the Elk River is located in the luxurious horse country of Cecil County, Maryland. In close proximity to Fair Hill, Devon and all the indoor stops: Penn National, Washington & Capital Challenge.

An extremely rare Chesapeake Bay waterfront property, offering four meticulously renovated homes, barns, horse pastures, tillable farmland, a 14-acre vineyard, stables, private shoreline, sandy beach and a 300-foot private dock. The property is currently operated as an income producing premier winery/wedding venue. It can easily be transformed into a private family equestrian estate, training facility, competition venue or continue to be an income producing property in whole or in part. An additional land parcel of 70 acres is available for $1M allowing for a net option to secure 150 continuous acres. Non MLS Listing- Contact Brent Berisford- berisfordb@yahoo.com- (240) 372-0661.

#equestrianrealestate #realestate #luxuryrealestate #commercialdevelopment  #commercialrealestate #developmentrealestate #development #commercial #land #agland #agriculturalland #equestrianland #horseproperty #milliondollarlisting #equestrian #equestrianestate #pond #pondproperty #equestrianlife #dreamhouse #equestrianlifestyle #horselife #equestrianproperty #horsefarmforsale #horses #sidelinesmagazine
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • HOLLY HILL FARM
    Marstons Mills Harvard Mass Patricia Harnois/ Caitlin Venezia Training/Showing/Sales 561-758-5362 508-367-0779 HollyHill7@aol.com www.hollyhillstable.com

    [Read more]

  • MAURI TRACY - HOMES FOR HORSE AND RIDER
    RE/MAX Professionals Broker Associate Phone 303-921-4814 www.LoveWhereYouLiveColorado.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Liz Lund’s Recipe for Success

    By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Dedic...
  • Returning To The Show Ring

    By Margie Sugarman It’s been a while since I’ve...
  • Emily Dulin & Brooke USA: Helping Working Equines Around the World

    By Ruby Tevis Portraits by Melissa Fuller Emily...
  • February 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Looking for the Third (or Fourth) Generation

    By George Williams Warning, this column address...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!