2020 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS PRESENTED BY KIESNER TRAINING
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Overlooking the rolling hills covered in the morning’s fog on the track at Kiesner Training, it’s effortless to reflect on the impact this training and breeding facility has had on the Arabian horse industry. The visible compounds represent the many facets of their work: open arena windows that look into where countless
National Champions have made their preparations, the isles leading into the show barns where the industry’s most exemplary stallions stand, the breeding barns that house the foals destined to refine and enhance limitless breeding programs, and the office that accommodates all who have a passion for Arabian horses, as well as the headquarters for the inimitable management of the entire operation. Joel and Ashton Kiesner are seldom absent from the show ring, putting forth a performance with some of the best horses to date, but spending a day at Kiesner Training behind the scenes, it is apparent the work and care that is put into getting show-ready. In this environment, for most in the industry, seen are the fond moments and memories between Team Kiesner that occur along the patient and understanding journey of taking each horse to their fullest potential, which makes itself apparent in the barn’s show record. Among their dedication of training and showing, the breeding expertise implemented into years of foal crops, have already shaped the direction of the industry, providing others with horses who are able to guide breeding programs and ignite awe in the show ring. Beyond the windows filled with the stalls of multi-National Champions rolls the pastures filled with foals completely unaware of how thoughtful their creation was inspired by the selective and hopeful breeders whose relationship with the farm has grown over decades. The farm proudly stands and manages a collection of breeding sires second-to-none and undeniably paramount to the breed. The stallions at Kiesner Training have made an indisputable impact attributed to the master training and management of Joel and Ashton. This husband-and-wife duo oversee the care of the horses by attentive grooms, as
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KIESNER TRAINING CHAMPION PUREBRED ENGLISH PLEASURE DIVISIONS 2000-2020
Saxton DGL
Heirs Noble Love
Inception
Afires Heir
AEPA SADDLE SEAT FUTURITY 2007 Sin City 2008 Brave And Noble 2011 Afires Heir Apparent* 2012 Bel Heir LR 2013 Heirs Noble Love 2014 Noble Ffyre 2015 Saxton DGL* 2016 Debonheir DGL* 2017 Inception 2017 SA Mistafire* 2019 KW Micah*
ENGLISH PLEASURE JUNIOR HORSE 2003 Afire N Spice 2005 Nabasken Afire 2006 Chaparral DGL 2007 Afires Heir 2008 Expressly Bella* 2009 Expressly Bella* 2013 VJ Royal Heir 2014 Heirs Noble Love 2016 Saxton DGL 2018 Inception
ENGLISH PLEASURE 2003 JKF MacGregor 2006 Nabasken Afire 2007 Nabasken Afire 2008 Afires Heir 2009 Afires Heir 2010 Afires Heir 2014 VJ Royal Heir 2016 Heirs Noble Love 2017 Saxton DGL 2018 Heirs Noble Love 2019 Heirs Noble Love
KW Micah
ROL Firecracker
COUNTRY ENGLISH PLEASURE 2001 CA Flamethrower 2003 Rumina Afire 2005 Helen Hayes X* 2008 Beyberry Fyre* 2009 Mariachi WA* 2010 ROL Firecracker 2015 SA Gisele* 2016 SA Gisele 2017 MD Tsunami 2018 Noble Rendevous 2018 KW Hero* 2019 MD Tsunami*
MD Tsunami
ENGLISH PLEASURE FUTURITY 2005 Chaparral DGL 2009 H Mobility H* 2010 Heirielle* 2012 Heirs Noble Love 2014 Saxton DGL 2015 Debonheir DGL 2019 Inheiritor
well as an unequaled breeding program. In 2020, Ashton and her team completed the laborious task of serving owners of over 360 mares with their timely semen shipments. This amount in any year is a feat, but amidst the challenges of a global pandemic, this achievement is heightened. The commitment to their stallions through to the breeders who have chosen them for their mares is unwavering, as the outcome for this dedication will be illustrated in the future with the industry’s next prodigies. The fields are lined with the pedigrees of tri-colored success. In the past 20 years, looking at the purebred English Pleasure divisions alone, Joel has won 11 U.S. National English Pleasure Open Championships. Since the inception of the AEPA in 2007, the farm has enjoyed garlands for eleven of the top spots. And in the Junior Horse division, the launching of 10 more, now living legends, took place wearing a Kiesner browband. The couple also notes 12 champion and reserve trophies in the last decade in the Open Country English division, with five in the last five years, three in a row by Ashton. Reflecting on all of the wins, the Kiesners are quick to point out that the real reward is happy clients and playing a positive role in their journey within the industry.
PROUDLY STANDING
Now with 15 years on their 65-acre facility in Lousiville, TN, that they have built from the ground up, the two can reflect on years of tenacity and growth. But of course, living in the now is of utmost importance and it is exactly the reason for a past and a future filled with hard work, gratitude and results. The band of long-time clients, friends and colleagues brings full circle the experiences shared throughout the years. However, on the track, a moment is provided in which to center oneself, and to recall the fundamental reasons for the almost ludicrous thought and care
AFIRES HEIR (Afire Bey V x Brassmis) COLTRANE SS (IXL Noble Express+ x Brassmis)
that is put into this operation—Kiesner Training’s reasons—which is the love and admiration for the Arabian horse and their friends that share that passion.
INCEPTION (IXL Noble Express+ x Bonita Afire) KW MICAH (Mamage x KW Sapphire) ROL DIVINE STYLE+ (Afire Bey V x IXL Miss Firefly) SAXTON DGL (Afires Heir x Sweet Summer Fire)
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Pictured: 2019 Colt (Inception x Summer Afire) 2020 Filly (Inception x Shes A Chrome Diva) 2020 Colt (Inception x Summer Afire) 2020 Filly (Inception x Ritida) KT Lasting Love 2019 Filly (Inception x Heirs Noble Love)
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Arabian Park with Joel Kiesner IXL Noble Express x Bonita Afire Proudly bred & owned by Maroon Fire Arabians www.AfireBeyV.com
STOCK OF ALL AGES AVAILABLE. For information contact Shea Stables, 810-329-6392 or Ashton Kiesner, 865-556-0412
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English Pleasure Jr. Horse with Joel Kiesner
Mamage x KW Sapphire, by Baske Afire 2019 U.S. National Reserve Champion AEPA Saddle Seat Futurity 2020 Scottsdale Champion English Pleasure Jr. Horse Proudly owned by Franklin Farm, LLC For breeding information contact Ashton Kiesner 865-556-0412 www.KiesnerTraining.com
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Afires Heir x Noble Aphroditie
English Pleasure AAOTR 19-49 with Emily Shippee Proudly owned by Karlton & Mary Ann Jackson and Emily Shippee www.HeirsNobleLove.com
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Afires Heir x Ritida
Half-Arabian English Pleasure Jr. Horse & Half-Arabian English Pleasure AAOTR Maturity with Emily Shippee 2018 U.S. National Champion H/A English Pleasure Futurity 2020 Region 15 Champion H/A English Pleasure Jr. Horse 2020 Region 15 Reserve Champion H/A English Pleasure AATR Proudly owned by Kathy & Emily Shippee
Afires Heir x Noble Fortune
Country English Pleasure
Jr. Horse with Ashton Kiesner AAOTR Maturity with Emily Shippee 2020 Region 15 Champion Country English Pleasure Jr. Horse Proudly owned by Kathy & Emily Shippee
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Afires Heir x Noble Aphroditie
English Pleasure AAOTR 50 & Over with Beverly Hayden Proudly owned by Creekbend Properties LLC
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SF Specs Shocwave x Amberr Fyre
Country English Pleasure AAOTR 40-59 with Leslie Goryeb Proudly owned by Leslie Goryeb
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Afires Heir x Ritida
Half-Arabian AEPA Saddle Seat Futurity with Joel Kiesner 2019 U.S. National Reserve Champion H/A English Pleasure Futurity 2020 Region 14 Champion H/A English Pleasure Jr. Horse Proudly owned by I Ask LLC
Afires Heir x MA Ghazta Trot
Country English Pleasure AAOTR 19-39 with Alexa Cohn 2020 Region 14 Champion Country English Pleasure AAOTR 19-39 2018 U.S. National Reserve Champion English Pleasure AAOTR 19-39 Proudly owned by I Ask LLC
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Undulata’s Nutcracker x VTM Pistachia
Half-Arabian Country English Pleasure AAOTR 19-39 & AAOTR Maturity with Abby Smith 2020 Region 15 Reserve Champion H/A Country English Pleasure AAOTR Proudly owned by Abby Smith
Afire Bey V x Shelby
Half-Arabian Country English Pleasure AATR Select with Debra Buszka 2020 Region 15 & 13 Champion H/A Country English Pleasure AATR Select Proudly owned by Debra Buszka
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Baske Afire x On Tulsa Time Proudly owned by Cedar Ridge Farm
Half-Arabian English Pleasure AAOTR 19-49 with Lara Ames 2020 Scottsdale Champion H/A English Pleasure AAOTR 2020 Region 14 Champion H/A English Pleasure Ar abian Horse Times | 188 | Volume 51, No. 3
Half-Arabian English Pleasure AAOTR Maturity with Dr. Joe Kinnarney Half-Arabian English Pleasure Jr. Horse 2019 U.S. National Reserve Champion AEPA $50,000 Saddle Seat Futurity 2020 Region 15 Champion H/A English Pleasure AAOTR
Afires Heir x Futurette Proudly owned by Dr. Joe Kinnarney & Bradley Marlow www.Reidsvillevet.com
Half-Arabian English Pleasure Open with Joel Kiesner AAOTR Maturity with Dr. Joe Kinnarney
Afire Bey V x Styling Time Proudly owned by Dr. Joe Kinnarney & Bradley Marlow www.Reidsvillevet.com
Afires Heir x The Way She Moves+/
English Pleasure AAOTR 50 & Over with Dr. Joe Kinnarney Proudly owned by Dr. Joe Kinnarney & Bradley Marlow www.Reidsvillevet.com
by jenn trickey
Whether you are brand new to the show scene or a weathered pro, if you had the privilege of noticing a couple of flashy pairs of Prada shoes run past on their way to a winner’s photo, without knowing them, you could probably assume two things … “colorful and winners.” While it’s not too difficult to make that assumption, there is way more to just how accurate that generalization is.
Some people are simply winners. They are so dynamic they radiate a winning shine. Two of those people within the Arabian horse industry are Dr. Joe Kinnarney and his husband, Bradley Marlow. They are a compelling force that goes far beyond a stylish pair of shoes and a winning herd of English horses, and AHT had the opportunity to sit down and chat with them about their “horse life,” past, present and future.
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A long-time client of Kiesner Training, Joe’s showing days go back to his childhood. He was an equitation guy and rode Thoroughbreds with the full intention and goal of making the Olympic team. That dream was smashed, however, with a car accident his senior year in high school which sent him on a much different path to becoming a veterinarian. In predictable fashion, Joe went further, eventually earning the title, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in 2014. It certainly was a pinnacle of a doctor’s career, undeniably dynamic; but he didn’t stop there. Twenty years prior, Joe began his long and successful friendship with Joel Kiesner. It’s had its own colorful longevity; first with his 1994 U.S. National Reserve Championship aboard LA Midyawn (Huckleberry Bey x Musteeka), followed by a slew of winners, including: Afire N Spyce (Afire Bey V x HL Justaspyce), Afires Heir Apparent (Afires Heir x AF Ellenai), and Big Apple Ghazi and The Big Eazy (both by El Ghazi), among others. Joe remarked, “I‘ve always told Joel and Ashton, ‘your job is to make me look good.’” It wasn’t a difficult task for the Kiesners, as Joe always had the right attitude.
A BUCKET LIST BY ANY DEFINITION The 90s were a good time for Joe, as he had another “four-legged” fascination in the dog showing world. A mere few months after his first National Reserve Championship in the irons, Joe earned the most coveted trophy in the dog world. With Scottish Terrier CH Gaelforce Post Script, aka “Peggy Sue,” came the title of “Best in Show at Westminster.” Joe smiles today as he remembers the Governor of North Carolina who came to the launch of his new veterinary hospital 15 years later, and his favorite part of the tour was to see the Best In Show trophy! They have since added to the family during the pandemic, a Chinese Crested puppy named Prince and a black Standard Poodle named Kingsley, to go along with their current Standard Poodle, Peidmont A Star is Born, aka “Prada.” Bradley does not have the lengthy background of horse shows and green shavings that Joe does, but the dynamic winner thing … he has that. Now living in Greensboro, North Carolina, the pair have 15-20 Arabians, Half-Arabians and American Saddlebreds at any given time and enjoy their barn time. “Bradley has a much different eye than I do when it comes to the horses,” Joe explains. “He sees their contour, their lines. He studies the pedigrees and really focuses on both the genotype and Ar abian Horse Times | 194 | Volume 51, No. 3
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Reidsville Veterinary Hospital, North Carolina S Nati nal eser e A A ha pi n Afires
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phenotype of the animal. For being in this industry a relatively short time, he can pick them!” They enjoyed a bucket list of ASB World Championship
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Joe and long-time friend Joel Kiesner
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2020 World Champion Good Luck Chuck
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2019 Piedmont A Star is Born
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1995 Westminster Best In Show CH Gaelforce Post Script
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wins this year with WC RWC Good Luck Chuck (Undulata’s Nutcracker x WCC CH Sultry Heiress) and Joe was named the 2020 Amateur Gentlemen’s Three-Gaited World’s Champion in their debut performance in Freedom Hall. “I saw ‘Chuck’ at Bonnie Blue, then at Jr. League,” recalls Joe, “he was special at first sight.” Brad agrees, “When Joe sees a horse, he wants to ride it immediately, and this one he did!” Another huge highlight was the first horse they bred together, now owned by Joel and Ashton Kiesner. Suddenly Speechless (Undulata’s Nutcracker x RWC Softly Spoken) and Kelly Self Lockhart earned a reserve championship in 2-Year-Old Three Gaited Division 1. Ar abian Horse Times | 195 | Volume 51, No. 3
And the year of COVID-19 mask-wearing horse shows won’t end there. Crowd favorite multi-national champion RGT Mercury Rising, aka “Freddie” (Afire Bey V x Styling Time) will have Dr. Joe and Joel in the irons in the Half-Arabian English, along with the purebred multi-national champion Movin On Heir WA, “Mo” (Afires Heir x The Way She Moves). Their third entry is Futurama, “Gangster” (Afires Heir x Futurette). He will return to the ring in the HalfAfires Prophecy SS (Afires Heir x Ritida)
Enchanted Heir (Afires Heir x Ritida)
Arabian English Pleasure Jr. Horse class one year after his Reserve Championship in the AEPA $50,000 H/A Saddle Seat Futurity as
WHO TO LOOK FOR ... Bohemian Rhapsody HA 2020 Colt (Inception x Reds Lady Princess) Afires r phecy SS lt Afires Heir
however, much like Joe, at his second Nationals he went top ten and will continue to show.
WHAT LIES AHEAD?
iti a
Spoken Heiress illy Afires Heir
well as the AAOTR Maturity with Joe. Bradley is not riding this year,
S tly Sp en
KT Lasting Love 2019 Filly (Inception x Heirs Noble Love)
Joe and Brad are the blend of two very different horse experiences, yet together they show a united future. In addition to three of their multi-National Champions returning to the in-gate of Tulsa
Southern Gentleman 2018 Colt (Saxton DGL x SA Adriana)
this year, there is even more excitement waiting in the wings.
Enchanted Heir Gel ing Afires Heir
Fire and full siblings to National Champion Majestic Heir and
Inceptional lt ncepti n
iti a ina Afire
Two to watch are maternal siblings of the legendary Adams Reserve National Champion The Heiristocratt—big shoes to fill. Enchanted Heir, a 2018 gelding sired by Afires Heir, looks every bit the part, and born this year is their second prodigy, suitably named Afires Prophecy SS. This colt folds back into his withers and trots forward like a springboard, putting on a show for anyone who will watch, and they all do! An additional threesome is sired by Multi-National Champion Inception out of a power-packed mare lineup of Heirs Noble Love, Rumina Afire and Reds Lady Princess (ASB). Not much more is needed to say with their pedigrees. They all are showing to be everything their papers say they should be and more, so one can understand why Joe and Bradley are just as happy at home as they are at a horse show. The smiles, the ambition, the experience, the enthusiasm, and yes, those colorful shoes … there is plenty more on the bucket lists of this dynamic pair, a fine example of the
KT Lasting Love (Inception x Heirs Noble Love) 2019 Filly
amazing people within the Arabian horse community.
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2003 National Champions 1. Afire N Spyce+// & Big Apple Ghazi 2018 National Champion 2. Movin On Heir WA 2018 National Champion 3. RGT Mercury Rising Inceptional 4.
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2003 National Champion 5. Afire N Spyce+// 2011 AEPA Reserve Champion 6. Afires Heir Apparent 2007 AEPA Champion Sin City 7.
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