5 World Titles WHILE Undergoing Chemotherapy For Tina Langness
Tina with All ForOne One ForAll.
By: Brittany Bevis
When you’re a horse trainer, life doesn’t stop just because you’re facing health challenges. But, we’re not talking about a bad flu or even a broken bone that takes a few months to heal. In the case of Tina Langness, the battle she’s facing is much more serious.
Last October, while competing at the Color Breed Congress, Tina received a call from her doctor letting her know that she had stage 3, ER/PR positive, Her2 positive, breast cancer. In November of 2017, she had surgery to place a Port-A-Cath in her body in order to receive chemotherapy and lab draws. She began chemotherapy in December.
She’s been fighting a valiant battle ever since, one she’s chronicled on her social media accounts and in the Equine Chronicle story, Conquering Cancer, One Stride at a Time. Despite currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments every three weeks, Tina headed off to the Pinto World Championship Show with three horses in tow, with the hopes of taking home a few big wins and enjoying time spent with her horse show family.
Tina and Devan with It’s Swing Time.
As a registered nurse, Tina knows the risks, and rewards, of continuing with such a grueling schedule in the face of exhausting physical struggle. Still, she hasn’t let it slow her down one bit. “I only brought three horses to the Pinto World Championship Show. That’s about all I could handle this year,” she says. “My horses were great. I was so blessed to be able to be there, and I loved every minute of it!”
Incredibly, Tina was not only able to help prepare her clients and compete herself, she won several World Championship titles! Tina rode All ForOne One ForAll to win Two-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle for owner, Jennifer Dunkin, of San Diego, CA. The same horse also won the Open and Amateur Hunt Type Halter Stallion/Gelding 2-Year-Old and Under classes. Her other horse, It’s Swing Time, won Open Hunt Type Halter Mares 3-5-Year-Olds and was Reserve in Open Disciplined Rail Driving, Amateur Disciplined Rail Driving, Amateur Reinsmanship, and Open Disciplined Rail English. It’s Swing Time is owned by Devan Knipfer of Deerfield, WI.
Tina with It’s Swing Time
Shortly after Tina walked out of the arena with her trophy buckles and ribbons in hand on Sunday, she had to head home for another chemotherapy session on Tuesday. “I continue on a every three week regimen for a year,” she says. “My surgery is scheduled for July 3rd. Once healed, I will go through three weeks of radiation.”
Back in the chemotherapy chair.
We wish Tina the very best with her upcoming surgery, a full and complete recovery, and a HUGE congratulations on her success at the Pinto World Show!
Do you have an inspiring story you’d like to share? Email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com.
