Multiple AQHA World Champion, Anne Wilson of Dallas, Texas and her new partner, Laziness (Sal) are back and better than ever. This team returned home from Las Vegas with the circuit championship in the Amateur Select Horsemanship at the Silver Dollar Circuit. They had unanimous wins under all three judges beating out over 30 other competitors in a tough class. What was so special about this duo’s success is that it was Sal’s first show since having back surgery in November.
“During last year, Sal periodically experienced back problems. We discovered that he had kissing spines. We tried to manage his condition with injections and other therapies, but we could not keep him comfortable by the end of Congress,” Anne told us. “In early November, Dr. Cliff Honnas performed a resection of three dorsal spinal processes. Sal needed four months of no riding. He was able to have turn out in months two and three, followed by aqua treadmill in month four. I was 
cleared to ride him March 1, and his surgeon said he could go to Vegas.”
Anne says that Sal, who is by Lazy Loper, was a little rusty after a four month break, but he handled it all in stride. “My favorite thing about Sal is that he fits his name well – he is lazy. At my age, lazy is good. He is also so cute!”
In Vegas, the duo showed in the Select Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation. They were already qualified in the horsemanship and equitation but finished off qualifying in the showmanship.
“I guess my luck of the Irish worked,” says Anne, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish football fan, along with her husband, John. “We ended up with 20 points on St. Patrick’s Day!” Anne states. “I was so proud of Sal in horsemanship, especially the first day. Not only did we have a four month break and only two weeks of riding, but we had never executed a flying right to left lead change in a horsemanship class. Sal is just five, but he rose to the challenge in Vegas.”
In conclusion, “I wish horses could talk. We try so hard to determine why they hurt. I think Sal is fixed. I cannot thank Jenny and Robin (Frid) enough for their expert guidance. Also, my husband John has been great throughout this emotional roller coaster ride with Sal and I can’t thank him enough.”
