OQHA Article

 -by Shawna Crawford

Nathaniel Wagler should be an inspiration to us all. Diagnosed with cystinosis at the age

of 10 months, he continues to show his halter gelding, Playgirls Best, despite his health issues.

He attributes his coping ability of this rare disease to his passion for horses. Nathaniel is the

eldest of 5 children with 3 sisters and 1 brother. He and his brother were both diagnosed with

cystinosis as infants and each underwent kidney transplants. Nathaniel was just 9 years old when

he received his transplant.

The Wagler family own and operate Colonial Brick & Stone Inc.

in Brunner, Ontario. Nathaniel put a large amount of his time and effort into

managing the stone production facility as long as his health allowed. Nathaniel was introduced

to Quarter Horses at the age of 16 when his father took a horse in on trade for some stonework he

had done. She was a kind and gentle mare that gave Nathaniel countless hours of enjoyable trail

riding. A few years later he looked into breeding her and contacted Pete and Sharon Hammer to

inquire about stallions. They in turn introduced him to George Laidlaw and Just Plain Awesome.

He had 2 foals out of this mare, one by Just Plain Awesome, and later bred that foal,

Awesome Sweetheart, to the Hammers stallion, Designed by Secret. Although Nathaniel's first

ambitions were to show in performance classes, with his illness he quickly realized that he would

not have the strength to ride, and decided halter would be a better fit. The Hammers introduced

him to Larry Johnson, who helped him fit, Sure Smooth Gold, a mare that Nathaniel began

showing in 2004. Health issues forced him to sell this great mare. Nathaniel is happy to report that

"Smoothie" loves her new owners, Christine and Becca Diebel and he thanks them for giving her

a great home. Larry sold him a yearling colt, Playgirls Best, by Playgirls Conclusion. Nathaniel

continues to show this gelding. His proudest moment involving horses was this past July, when he and

his horse won Amateur 3 and Over Geldings Circuit Award at Summerama. This was extremely

special to Nathaniel. With his health declining, he didn't think he would be well enough to show.

Days before the show, he rested as much as possible. En route to the show pen, adrenaline

pumping, Nathaniel's unwavering desire to compete kept his energy level up allowing him to make

it through the classes. Nathaniel and his family appreciate the extra work Larry has done with

his gelding. Noticing Nathaniel's strength declining, he trained his horse to respond to softer

commands which allowed Nathaniel to continue doing what he truly enjoys; showing his horse.

This was very important to Nathaniel, as he would had to give up showing since Playgirls Best is

more of an aggressive type of horse.

If you have ever met Nathaniel, you know how kind and generous he is. I have had the

privilege of showing with Nathaniel on numerous occasions over the past couple of years, and I must

say that he is an amazing young man and truly inspiring. Dealing with an incurable and rare

disease, he continues to look at everything with a positive attitude. You can't help but smile when you

are talking with him. He and his family are also generous sponsors of Area 1 Promotional Club and

continue to donate beautiful stone sculptures for All-Around Circuit Awards.

Nathaniel would like to recognize a few horse people who have made a significant impact in

his life; Pete, Sharon and Jessica Hammer, Jan and Risty Schmidt, Larry Johnson and family,

Jonathan Newnham, Todd and George Laidlaw, Ed Kletke, Alicia Decou, Doug Campbell,

Ken McLellan, Rick and Julie Leek, and many others.

A quote from Nathaniel:

"I would not be having the enjoyment and success I am having, if it weren't for my trainer and

fitter, Larry Johnson. He does a very good job for me. The American Quarter horse is a wonderful

animal. I have met many people, and made many friends, people that I would have never met if we

didn't share the same interest. I want to wish everyone the best as you show you Quarter Horses for

many years to come. When life brings you an opportunity, take it. You never know if that opportunity

will come again. Take time for the people around you. They end up being one of your biggest blessings.

I would also like to thank the Ontario medical field and my family for all they have done for me."

We would like to congratulate Nathaniel on all of his successes and thank

him for his support and dedication to OQHA and the American Quarter Horse. We wish him

many more years of showing!

Some facts about Cystinosis

Cystinosis is a very rare metabolic, genetic disorder that causes a particular amino acid

known as cystine to accumulate in the body's organs. Cystine builds up inside the cell and crystalizes.

Kidneys and eyes are usually the first organs affected by the disease. Most children diagnosed with this

disease need a kidney transplant by the age of 9 or 10. Cystinosis affects about 2000 people worldwide,

500 of whom are in the United States and approximately 50 in Canada. The only treatment for

cystinosis is Cystagon which breaks down the cystine crystals. The drug is approved by the US Food

and Drug Administration, but not by Health Canada. This treatment helps slow the formation of the

crystals but it can't reverse the damage already done and it's not a cure. The oldes living person with

cystinosis is 44. The closes foundation is the Cystinosis Research Foundation (CRF) in California.

Nathaniel recently met a young girl from Kitchner-Waterloo area who was diagnosed with Cystinosis.

After her parents realized that there are very few local support groups, they launched Gabbie's Wish -

the Cystinosis Awareness and Research Effort (CARE) in partnership with the CRF. All money

raised will go to research toward finding an cure. The Wagler family and Colonial Brick & Stone Inc.

are helping generate funds toward the cure for cystinosis by donating a sizable portion of a 70 ft.

natural waterfall with a cave and running water, as a fund raiser. It is being sold

for this cause. If you would like to learn more or donate to this cause,

please refer to www.gabbieswish.com.

Pics of the Waterfall

Thank you Shawna Crawford for doing this article.

You did a great job.