Evolution of the Arabian Horseman
Jim Stachowski by Mary Kirkman It was a Friday night in October 1984. Arabian horse fans in Louisville’s Freedom Hall were ramping up for the U.S. Nationals’ closing weekend. In those days, the stands were alive with a vocal crowd that could wake the dead during an exciting class, and not only were the seats occupied, but plenty of people were spilling out of new innovations called skyboxes. Early in the evening, the audience watched VP Kahlua defeat NH Love Potion for the mare championship, and there was already talk about the coming Saturday night competition. Would AAF Kaset complete his Triple Crown in the stallion championship? And what about that new horse Bob Battaglia was showing, Gai Argosy? Plus, Gene LaCroix had an exciting bay gelding named Orans Adagio lined up for park—could he eclipse the memory of Miss Cognac and Scarlet Lace, who had brought down the house in 1982 and 1983? Friday night’s Half-Arabian park class seemed a bit like a warm-up for the next day—a lot of fun, sure, but not the blow-out Saturday promised.
Jim Stachowski
Doing the wave for Countess Vanessa.
Jim Stachowski and Countess Vanessa.
That was before a tall, dark mare with mayhem on her mind trotted through the in-gate. Her name was Countess Vanessa, and in the parlance of old-time horse trainers, she could sure wave her legs. Her chin tucked back, her strides slicing the air above level, she was too much even for herself. The class was barely a minute old before the debate was on: would she hold her trot long enough to win the class? Which was more important, consistency or her sheer, crazed talent?
As it turned out, the judges did their job. They awarded the trophy to the sparkling and far steadier Sufis Fancy Free, shown by Peter Stachowski. Countess Vanessa was tied reserve. But in that one class, she became the buzz horse of the show—and instantly, her young trainer went from “that kid from Ohio who seems to do nice work” to, Jim Stachowski—one to watch. Twenty-nine years later, he is still in the headlines. Volume 43, No. 9 | 195