Cruze's Recovery

Hi, my name is Bianca Argyros.

A Sydney-based Equestrian with an oversized heart for thoroughbreds.

I have made some pretty poor choices in life, but the two best I have made were buying both my off-the-track thoroughbred horses, Cruze (How Much My Love) and Ecuador (Ecuador).

Cruze is a rising 17yo 1* eventer that truly lives up to his name. He is a gentle giant and only recently joining the family, he has taught me so incredibly much and I have been able to achieve my riding goals with the assistance of this educated boy. He is a big sweetheart, and those that see him in the paddock instantly fall in love with his soft and kind nature.

On Sunday the 28th August my world came to a sudden stop. Cruze and I had entered Galston Showjumping and were excited to be out in the community competing again after multiple cancellations of shows due to the floods. I've been really lucky to have great horses that walk on the float without batting an eyelid. I have floated Cruze and Ecuador multiple times and each time, those that have been in the car with me will say I am extremely cautious and take every journey slow and steady.

Without hesitation, Cruze loaded in the straight load float and my best friend Grace and I hopped in the car and began driving the hour to Galston. I commented a few times during the journey about how quiet and well he was travelling. It wasnt until I parked, open the float door the nightmare had truly begun.

Cruze had lost balance along the journey without my knowledge and was laying horizontal on the floor of the float bleeding from all fours. Unable to collect my words, I fell to the floor and grasped his neck, crying hysterically. It was in that moment I was certain there was no way out alive.

Grace had called for help and within minutes we had a team around us, a plan, a vet on site and emergency services on their way. Cruze layed on the floor of the float at times getting agitated and trying to get up but we knew we had to hold him down, for this would result in a far worse situation. Trying to remain calm, I was talking to Cruze softly whilst the vet injected him with penicillin and sedation. By the time he was sedated, we had the SES cutting off the float's front barrier to make sure there was nothing interfering with his legs and he could be pulled out safely.

With SES, Galston Fire Department, and the people at the galston show pulling Cruze off from the float floor, he was out alive. I am forever grateful for these incredible people that assisted in this highly traumatic emergency. It will be a day I will never forget.

As I continue to focus on getting the best care for Cruze and trying to overcome the trauma of that day, we are left with an overwhelming amount of bills from this day. I am writing this for those out there to perhaps lend a helping hand to help me cover the vet bills, float bill, and recovery of Cruze. I do not expect to reach the $5k and that is okay! Maybe this is another way of sharing awareness to those traveling to install cameras and travel with an extra set of eyes. Check on your horses regularly during any journey. My aim here is not only to help raise but help prevent this from happening to anyone else.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to those who saved my horse's life.

We may face surgery to his pastern and will know more shortly. But he is alive, and that is the main thing.

That's the heart of a thoroughbred for ya, they're fighters. And Cruze...well, he's one in a million.

Lots of love,

Bianca xx