Arabians On The Trail— A Perfect Ride by Colleen Scott
A Perfect Ride When Dick Ames invites employees, friends and business acquaintances to Cedar Ridge in Arizona for trail riding, they’re often surprised to see the same kind of horses one might find at Cedar Ridge in Jordan, Minn.
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What? Arabian horses for trail rides? With inexperienced riders? Many people, even so-called “horse” people, would call that a sure formula for disaster. Not so. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The Arabians, some of which have come from the Cedar Ridge show string, have made the trail ride experience a winning one for hundreds of guests over the years. Farm Manager Jenny Goodwin admits even she has been pleasantly surprised by the calm, quiet demeanor her Arabians have on the hundreds of miles of trails within a short drive of Scottsdale. “When Dick Ames approached me about accepting a position that would involve taking people on trail rides out of the farm’s south location, I thought he was crazy!” Goodwin says. “I would be responsible for taking his guests out riding in the desert on Arabians? And my guests would be largely inexperienced? I wasn’t too sure about what I was getting myself into,” she says. Ames isn’t surprised at Goodwin’s response or that of his guests. He is determined to help break the stereotype. “Arabians make great trail horses,” he says. “What it takes is a good-minded horse and someone working with that horse to get them accustomed to doing their job as a trail horse. Arabians don’t just tolerate trail riding, they
The Ames Family on their annual trail ride.
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A Perfect Ride
Jen Goodwin, Bill Price, Gretchen Price, and Christine Boner enjoying the beautiful scenery.
excel at it. They’re quick on their feet, sturdy, smart and last a whole lot longer than a lot of the stock horses out there.”
show become our trail horses after their careers in the ring are over.”
Goodwin needed some convincing to be as enthusiastic about the prospect as Ames. Having grown up with Morgans and Quarter Horses, she was part of the group whose experience with Arabians was limited and filled with stereotypes. “I thought they were beautiful, but I sure wasn’t inclined to ride one.”
Goodwin now concurs with Ames’ assessment of their trail-loving Arabians. “I have to admit I was amazed as well when our horses still had some ‘get up and go’ long after the stock horses were dragging their feet,” she says. “The Arabians adapt well to whatever we ask of them, whether it’s a nice, flat-footed walk down a trail, or running across the desert to head off a stampede. I get a feeling of pride when seasoned horsemen and women compliment our dainty, little horses. Their stamina, good attitude, and willingness to go anywhere on the trail has made me rethink just which breed of horse is my favorite,” she says.
Enter the Arabians of Cedar Ridge South. “The Arabians that were living there were absolutely wonderful,” she says. “I was surprised that they were so sensible and eager to please. I was enthralled.” Ames had carefully selected the horses for his Arizona location, keeping in mind his goal of providing the clients, employees and friends of Ames Construction and their families with a fun and memorable vacation opportunity. “We breed a lot of horses at Cedar Ridge and not all of them are cut out for the show ring,” says Ames. “Even some of them that have been trained to
The farm in Scottsdale has 15 Arabians and HalfArabians, including the former country English pleasure horse Ames Show Off and Ames’ personal stallion, DNK Muzyk. In the past seven years, Goodwin estimates she’s taken several hundred visitors on the Arizona trails. She says many come with the preconceived M ay 20 09 | 183
A Perfect Ride notion that Arabians aren’t to be trusted or come with bad equine experiences from their youth. She relishes the opportunity to convert them into horse lovers. “I absolutely love it when I can put them on one of the trail horses and change their minds about horseback riding.” Goodwin’s routine with her guests includes giving them the opportunity to bond with their horses before riding. “After a short drive to a trail, the guests brush their horse and bond with them. The horses allow me to teach my guests about grooming, hoof picking, safety and care. I will saddle and bridle, then make sure my guests know how to stop and steer before we continue,” she says. During her rides, Goodwin stops for photo opportunities, to eat, or to just nap in the Arizona sun. “The horses will stand quietly wherever we tie them; they wait patiently for an apple core or a few baby carrots. After the ride, the guests usually pitch in and help un-tack and water the horses.”
Dick Ames on the trail.
Butch Ames and current Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.
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Besides converting the adults to Arabian enthusiasts, Goodwin takes time to work with small children who might have come as well. “I will bring in a horse or two so the children can groom and pet them. Then we’ll saddle up and go for a walk around the arena. The Arabians I use for this love kids and listen to their little hands and feet. With me walking at their heads, these horses help me teach the little ones how to get them to walk forward, turn, stop and back up. Some kids start out crying because they didn’t want to get on the horse, and end up crying because they don’t want to get off. Most of them love it; so, I am glad I am able to give them a good horseback riding experience.” One of those riders is Pat McGowan, former sheriff of Hennepin County in Minnesota. Although he grew up riding (other breeds), it wasn’t until his wife, Ellen, began riding with Dick Kiesner that the couple purchased their first Arabian, Baskin Fyre. Now an Arabian enthusiast, McGowan says the breed’s skill on the trails is just another indication of their amazing versatility. Trail riding regularly at his new home in a Prescott, Ariz., equestrian community, he says Baskin Fyre is far more in tune to his surroundings out in the open than his Quarter Horse. “When we’re out there, he picks up on things or sees things a second or two before the Quarter
A Perfect Ride
Jen Goodwin enjoying another exhilarating day on the trail. M ay 20 09 | 185
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Bill Price shares the shade with his mount.
Katie Carlson, Teal Dowling, Erica Carlson, and a Carlson family friend stop on the trail for a photo opportunity. 186 | Ara bian Horse Times
A Perfect Ride Horse. He’s very smart. He’ll stop, assess the situation, determine if he’s approaching friend or foe and then make a decision. The Quarter Horse just keeps on walking.” Besides the horse’s alertness, McGowan says Baskin Fyre’s stamina is amazing. He has taken the gelding on multi-day trips to Montana and Wyoming, as well as fox-hunting. “When we got back from a five-day ride in Cody, Wyo., the Quarter Horse had to lay down. The Arabian was looking around like, ‘What’s next?’” McGowan reports the gelding has a similar reaction after a day in the field with warmbloods and Thoroughbreds. “We’ll get back and those big horses are all washed out and the Arabian is looking around, ready to go some more.” McGowan says the Ames-owned horses in Arizona are equally fit, at the ready and trustworthy. “Those horses out there are tremendous. Jenny obviously spends a lot of time with them and deserves a lot of the credit.” Goodwin spends time de-sensitizing the horses to situations they might encounter along the trail. “We work with tarps, paper bags, all those kinds of things,” she says. “They are the same as any other horse—I can teach them anything I want to.” She takes pride in a seven-year record of not having anyone come off because a horse was doing something naughty.
Gretchen Price and Becky Price are all smiles on a rest stop.
Besides hosting guests at the farm, Goodwin participates in the local equestrian community, including clinics, organized trail rides and cattle drives hosted by the Shriners. “The general reaction I get is amazement that our Arabians can do anything a Quarter Horse can do.” With her work converting non-Arabian lovers one ride at a time, Goodwin is helping Ames achieve a larger goal: exposing people to the Arabian horse. “Not everyone can afford or wants to show horses,” Ames says. “Trail riding is something everyone can do, and is a lot more affordable. By proving to people they make outstanding trail horses, we are opening another avenue for people to enjoy Arabian horses.” n
Christine Boner and her companions cooling off in the hot Arizona sun. M ay 20 09 | 187