Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch competed in six four-stars during their 14-year partnership, and Ashker was targeting a potential seventh at this year’s Rolex Kentucky CCI****. But after a disappointing weekend at the Cloud 11-Gavilan North LLC Carolina International CIC*** (N.C.), Ashker decided to retire the gelding from the upper levels of eventing.
After the pair’s second Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in 2011, Ashker learned the off-the-track Thoroughbred (Castle Guard—Aimee Alexis, Right Mind) had a right hind central sesamoidean ligament injury.
“We have no idea where or when or how that happened,” said Ashker, 33, of Chesterfield, Va. Veterinarians Dean Richardson, Brendan Furlong and Jeff Beshear helped Ashker treat “Al’s” injury, and Ashker competed him sparingly after that.
“After every one of those [four-star starts], vets said, ‘Look, we’re not going to tell you he can’t do it. We’re going to tell you that he’s going to tell you when he doesn’t want to play anymore, and you’re just going to have to listen to him,’ ” said Ashker.
After the Carolina International cross-country on March 25, where the pair was eliminated for refusals, Ashker knew Al was giving her the sign.
“He spoke very loud and clear to me this week at Carolina,” she said. “I had a great dressage and an amazing show jumping, and on cross-country, he quite frankly said, ‘No.’ This was the first time, and I never want there to be another time when he says no.
“I’m so heartbroken because I felt like such a star on him and feel like a star on him,” she continued. “But I have to listen to my gut.”
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Ashker bought the gelding as a 4-year-old. The pair earned five four-star completions in their career together, including the Land Rover Burghley CCI**** (England). They finished in 14th at Rolex their first year there in 2010. They won the Nutrena USEA Eventing Championships (Texas) at advanced in 2013 and won a division of Millbrook Horse Trials (N.Y.) advanced in 2013 and 2014.
“Some people never in their whole lives get to experience a Rolex press conference, and I got to,” she said, referencing the 2016 Rolex, when the pair was second after the first day of dressage. “Sitting in between Michael Jung and Phillip Dutton was pretty awesome.”
Al, now 18, will spend the rest of his days with Ashker.
“I made a promise to him because he’s given me so much,” she said.
And according to his veterinarian, Al can continue teaching young riders the ropes of eventing at horse trials and potentially the one-star level.
“That makes me happy because he needs a job,” Ashker said. “Let him teach some kids how to ride and let them feel like stars like he’s always made me feel like a star.”
