Some horses enter our lives quietly and end up changing everything. For Lhanze Kohr, that horse was Griffin. What began as a simple purchase for her growing sales barn quickly became an extraordinary partnership built on trust, joy, and courage. Griffin was the kind of horse who made her feel safe, who reminded her why she loved the sport, and who stood by her through both triumph and tragedy. Their journey together is a powerful reminder that the bond between horse and rider can carry us through even the hardest moments—and that sometimes love means finding the strength to let go.
This is Lhanze's Story:
"Kohr Values Equine was officially born in April of 2019. It was a dream come true for me to finally work for myself and focus on selling horses. My goal was create a sales barn unlike any other; an honest place where each horse had a voice. Most of the horses I sold were client owned, but I would buy myself one or two at a time to develop to resell. That’s when Griffin entered my life.
In October 2022 I was scrolling Facebook and came across an ad for a beautiful 3yo grey gelding by Clair De Lune. I was sold instantly by his spectacular free jump and handsome expression. In typical Lhanze fashion, I immediately sent the money to the seller. No pre purchase, site unseen… if you know me, you’re not surprised by this decision. Less than a week later, this big gangly awkward baby horse showed up. A young horse that would quickly change from an ugly ducking to a swan.
I always had intention of selling Griffin, but my plans quickly changed as he stole my heart. I had never had a horse that made me feel so safe. I was empowered by our relationship, our trust for each other. We went through a lot of firsts together, Griffin’s first canter under saddle, to my first national derby. We were beside each other through every chapter; winning, losing, crying, celebrating. He was my dearest and most valued friend.
August 7th, 2025… the day my life changed forever. Griffin and I were competing at one of my favorite venues, Thunderbird Show Park in Langley BC. We had been showing successfully all year in the 6yo and under 3’ hunters as well as some national derbies. To be honest with you all, before I had Griffin, showing wasn’t really my thing. It brought me a lot of fear and anxiety. What if I got hurt? What if I didn’t do well? What if I made my horse look bad? Griffin cured all of this for me. He brought the fun back to the sport. I trusted him and knew no matter what, we would be ok.
That Thursday morning, I walked into the ring for my low round. I had a good canter and felt comfortable and confident. Jump one came up nicely. Landed, good lead change. Continued on my course without any doubts or worries. Jump two came up and it was long but nothing outside of the normal. Next thing I knew, I was in the footing. Griffin had caught a toe and the poor horse had the pole stuck between his front legs, there was no hope for saving us as we plummeted toward the ground.
I immediately knew I had fallen off. Dazed and confused, I quickly flipped myself over to get a sense of where I was. As I was righting myself, I saw Griffin’s hindquarters in rotation toward my pelvis. I braced for impact… I’ll spare you of the gruesome details until I write a book, but I knew I wasn’t ok. The TBIRD staff quickly came to my aid. Luckily for me, I hadn’t been at home jumping alone like I often did. I was swiftly rushed to the hospital where we learned about my injuries and the miracle that I had survived. I had a ruptured bladder, lacerated spleen, broken left fibula, and a shattered pelvis with a sheer fracture.
Three surgeries and 24 days in the hospital later, I finally got discharged. 12 weeks non weight bearing, but a plan for me to return to 100% sport. I didn’t just come home with my pelvis hardware, but a new appreciation for life. An appreciation for my health, my job, my friends, my family. My horse community rallied around me raising money and surrounding me with love and support. I was often left speechless and filled with endless tears in response to the amazing people that boosted me up in the worst chapter of my life.
The doctors said I would return to 100% sport, but that I wouldn’t ride again for a year. That news was like a dagger to my heart. A year felt like a lifetime, but I had to be thankful that it truly wasn’t a lifetime. I had to make an impossible decision… to sell my love. To sell the horse that I never would be ready to sell. To sell Griffin. It was the hardest decision of my life. A selfless one. I had to do what was right for him. It wouldn’t be fair to ask him to rehab me mentally and physically. Luckily, the perfect home presented to me on a Facebook ISO ad. A dear trainer friend who I knew would take as good of care of Griffin as I had.
Griffin sold to his new family and I was devastated. I cried and cried. Had I made the right decision? I was finally well enough where I could travel to visit him. I used my slide board and got myself into the car from my wheelchair. When we arrived, I immediately called out to him. He quickly raised his head from the grass and froze. He knew exactly who I was. The reunion was beyond my wildest dreams. Griffin was as happy to see me as I was to see him. He groomed me lovingly, smelled my broken leg several times and did a security check of my wheelchair. When it came time to leave, I couldn’t find the words to say goodbye to him. I wanted to stay there in that moment forever. But as soon as I left, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I had made the right decision, he found his people."
All professional show photography by Viola Mitchell Photography.
