In July 2013 Jude Nickolls, one of the Wakatipu's top horsewomen, discovered Glenview Caballero (Cabby) and Jazz had had their tails cut off at the dock, or bone.
Despite a reward being offered, the offenders were never found.
Cabby's tail hair has now almost completely grown back and at the weekend the pair won the South Island Dressage Championships level 7 title, qualifying them to travel to Hastings next month to compete in the Horse of the Year competition - one of the biggest sporting events in the southern hemisphere.
Mrs Nickolls said her weekend win was an emotional experience.
A friend was there in support and when she won the friend ''came along screaming''.
''We both burst into tears. It's something I've worked so hard for.
''It's awesome.''
While Mrs Nickolls has no aspirations of winning in Hastings, hoping instead to get through the experience of competing in a major event, she has high hopes for the future.
While still owning Jazz she is looking to either sell her or become a part-owner, largely because ''she's a jumper and I don't want to jump''.
In the interim she bought 9-year-old Rakanui Embracing (Hug) on the recommendation of her coach, Bill Noble, who has trained Olympic horses, including Mark Todd's Charisma.
After Mr Noble rode Hug he phoned her.
''He said he's never ridden a horse like him before; he feels like an Olympic horse.
''He's so athletic and so special; he's amazing to ride and just a gentleman.''
A foal is being bred specifically for Mrs Nickolls, and is expected to arrive in November.
Within the next two years she aims to have both Cabby and Hug in the Grand Prix - the highest level of competition - and also has Olympic hopes.
If successful, Mrs Nickolls would be just the third New Zealander to compete at Olympic level in dressage.
''[I want to go] all the way. Why not?''
