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Contents Issue 5 • Volume 47, No. 10 12
Cover Story: Al Jood Stud: The Fulfillment Of A Dream by Theresa Cardamone
25
Chad Judy … An Arabian Horse Trainer’s Story Of Faith, Fortitude And Friendship by Catherine Cole Ferandelli
42
Egyptian Event Preview: “For The Love Of The Horse” by Anne Stratton
49
The Northeast: 200 Years Of Progress And Passion For The Arabian Horse by Evie Tubbs Sweeney
2english
Cover Story: VJ Royal Heir by Anne Stratton
55
english
38english
The Arabian Saddle Seat Horse: Opulence And Versatility
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Saddle Seat Equitation … Picture Perfect
135
A National Treasure: The Canda Boys Of Washington—Part 2, Joey by Mary Kirkman
140
Hunting For A New Futurity: The Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association by Chelsea Wesson
142
Hunter Pleasure/Show Hack … The Arabian Horse From A Variety Of Sources
152
Kyrie Elleison: Honoring The Life’s Journey Of A Gallant Mare … And Celebrating Her “Three” Miraculous Final Gifts, Part II by Catherine Cole Ferandelli
142
VOLUME 47, NO. 10 $22.50
Alixir
158
Rising Stars Of 2017 … Proud, Passionate And Possessed
172
Arabian Horse Trainers—A Breed Of Their Own
182
From Amateur To Professional … Mike Grimm
184
Leaders Of The Times: A Jericho
186
In Memoriam
6
Comments From The Publisher
36english
In The Eye … Richard Wright
187
Calendar Of Events
191
Looking Ahead
193
Index Of Advertisers
F E A T U R I N G
On The Cover:
Alixir (The Elixir x The Prevue), owned by Al Jood Stud, Qatar.
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1. Breed toward your ideal horse. Don’t be swayed by the voices of others. If you have done your homework, in time others will appreciate what you have accomplished. 2. Recognize that you are breeding Arabians and stay within your interpretation of the breed standards. 3. Breed equally for Arabian type, performance qualities, disposition and trainability. 4. Never forget: No foot, no horse. 5. Always strive toward a horse of usable disposition, plus beauty. Neither is good without the other. However, if forced to make a choice, I’d keep the usuable disposition. 6. Follow the lead your horses set for you. The next generation need not be similar in phenotype to the generation before, but each generation must be consistent in overall quality. 7. Breed forward. Look ahead. Wonderful new surprises may be awaiting you. Recognize them when they occur. Angela Alvarez, General Manager Arroyo Grande, California Phone: 805.489.5802 www.VarianArabians.com
8. It is not difficult to improve the produce of a poor quality mare in one generation. It is not even difficult to improve the produce of an average mare in one generation. What is difficult is to improve the produce of an exceptional mare generation after generation. That takes real skill, knowledge, gut instinct, and vision. 9. Don’t be afraid to appreciate the qualities of other’s horses. Breeding is a competition with yourself, not with others. 10. Consider your horse’s attributes before you consider his/her negatives. All horses have both. It is for you to determine how positive his/her good qualities are before you dwell on the negatives. Learn More!
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Comments From The Publisher Publisher Lara Ames Managing Editor Charlene Deyle Advertising Account Executive Tony Bergren Contributing Writers Theresa Cardamone Catherine Cole Ferandelli Mary Kirkman Anne Stratton Evie Tubbs Sweeney Chelsea Wesson Production Manager Jody Thompson Senior Designer Marketing Director Wayne Anderson Art Director IT Support Specialist Tony Ferguson Print & Web Design/Support Melissa Pasicznyk Sales Assistant Maria Burger Hannah Freitag AHT Abroad Representative Mieke Opsteyn Office Manager/ Accounts Payable Sara Thomas Accounts Receivable Deb Trebesch
© Copyright AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Articles or opinions published by the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times are not necessarily the expressed views of the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times. AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times is not responsible for the accuracy of advertising content or manipulation of images that are provided by the advertiser. ARABIAN HORSE TIMES (ISSN 0279-8125) Volume 47, No. 10, May 2017, is published monthly, except March and November, by AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times, 20276 Delaware Avenue, Jordan, Minnesota 55352. Periodical postage paid at Jordan, Minnesota 55352 and at additional entry offices. Single copies in U.S. and Canada $22.50. Subscription in U.S. $80 per year, $140 two years, $200 three years. Canada $130 one year, $250 two years, $340 three years, U.S. funds. Foreign Subscriptions: $190 one year, $320 two years, $380 three years, payable in advance, U.S. funds. Sorry, no refunds on subscription orders. For subscription and change of address, please send old address as printed on last label. Please allow four to six weeks for your first subscription to be shipped. Occasionally ARABIAN HORSE TIMES makes its mailing list available to other organizations. If you prefer not to receive these mailings, please write to ARABIAN HORSE TIMES, Editorial Offices, 20276 Delaware Avenue, Jordan, MN 55352.
There’s No Place Like Home—Yours And Mine Usually at this time of year, I write about foaling season, because, of course, who doesn’t love mares and foals? Spring is one of my favorite times. My family welcomes around 30 babies and I love to watch them grow up. Most enjoy pasture life, so we all see them as they go from gangly little newcomers to strong, promising youngsters. They endure weaning, they grow up with their buddies, and eventually, in a few years, are sent off for training, to pursue their own talents in the industry. This month, however, I’m going to focus on the next step in their lives—the critical factor that gives those foals a productive and ultimately fulfilling (I hope) life. That is the trainers who prepare them for their jobs. This issue, we turn the spotlight not only on trainers, but on the rising stars—the young horsemen and horsewomen who will be the mainstays of our industry for the next generation. Their jobs are not easy. If you have not trained a horse, taught it to obey commands and perform skillfully while maintaining communication with its human partner, you have no idea how difficult that job can be. Add to that, trainers spend long hours in the barn and often have no idea what a weekend is (other than the dates of a horse show, which means extra work). And holidays seldom exist for them. Without trainers, our industry would not exist either. These days, we can only appreciate that talented young people are still choosing to become horse trainers. Those of us who show are impressed by the ones with the rows of ribbons, but in reality, a trainer’s contribution is much bigger than just the color of a ribbon. So, in the May issue of AHT, we take a closer look at some of today’s young professionals—the names we expect to see for years to come.
Lara Ames Lara Ames Publisher
The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographic materials. Printed in U.S.A. • POSTMASTER: Please send returns to Arabian Horse Times, 20276 Delaware Avenue, Jordan, MN 55352; and address changes to Arabian Horse Times, P.O. Box 15816, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5816. For subscription information, call 1-855-240-4637 (in the U.S.A.) or 952-492-3213 (for outside of the U.S.A.) Arabian Horse Times • P.O. Box 15816, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5816 • Tel: 952-492-3213 • Fax: 952-492-3228 1-800-AHTIMES • www.ahtimes.com
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Announcing a Magnificent New Book by World-Renowned Author and Breeder
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This inspirational and educational book is a “must have� for everyone who loves Arabian horses.
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Ansata Hejazi
Born to Rule
Inspiring Lessons from the Life of a Majestic Arabian Stallion An exceptional book combining the life story of Ansata Hejazi with landmark historical references and impactful lessons in the Art of Breeding, including: The heroic role of Ansata Hejazi (1992-2015) in restoring Arabian horse breeding in Kuwait, countless images of this influential stallion, his get and grandget, and comments about his worldwide influence from breeders around the globe. Unique pictorial and historical reference sections of ancestral horses including a chapter with enlightening new information about the source of the Dahman Shahwan strain. An innovative new way of viewing a pedigree. Beautifully illustrated Art, History and Heritage section‌ and much more!
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Phone (859) 231-0771 Fax (859) 255-4810 Info@pyramidsociety.org www.pyramidsociety.org/ AnsataHejazi_BorntoRule
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The Purebread Arabians
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ARE YOU SHOWING IN CENTRAL PARK? PROMOTE IN AUGUST
photos by Emma Maxwell
Contact your sales representative today! Tony Bergren • 231-286-6085 • tonyb@ahtimes.com Lara Ames • 612-210-1592 • lara@ahtimes.com Wayne Anderson • 612-751-6897 • wayneand@ahtimes.com Lesley Blain • 608-751-2069 • lesley.blain3@gmail.com www.AHTimes.com • 952-492-3213 • 800-248-4637 Ar abian Horse Times | 24 | Volume 47, No. 10
Chad Judy ...
An Arabian Horse Trainer's Story Of Faith, Fortitude And Friendship
by Catherine Cole Ferandelli
“You are what you’re surrounded by.”
Ntl. Champion Mister Matrix
T
his statement is the compass by which Chad Judy has built his life. Exceptional allegiance to family, friendships and a rigorous work ethic, have been the pillars on which Chad has built a monumental career. For Chad, success truly takes a village, proclaiming, “I have been very, very blessed with family, friends and professional peers who have had nothing but the best intentions.” But good fortune and success in the hard-driving Arabian show horse industry is a long shot venture at best, demanding a constant balance of sometimes seemingly contradictory components—toughness, yet compassion; patience, yet pushiness; loyalty, yet change, just to name a few. Chad Judy meets and deals with all these facts and more with compassion and a real knack for building durable personal and professional kinships alike.
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Still vigorously youthful after decades of training national level Arabian show horses, Chad Judy has learned from and worked with the best in the business, reeling off one iconic Arabian horse trainer name after another. All of his learnings from these legends possess one common thread: Train a horse to its best qualities by functioning in a forward thinking environment with positive energy and enthusiasm. Steadfast to his impeccable ethics, Chad Judy has long earned the respect of his industry peers. The tangible proof is dozens of national titles, accolades and recognition, including three APAHA awards in the Saddle Seat and Hunter/Show Hack professional categories. Chad’s early years certainly helped set the stage for success. The youngest of four brothers and a son of a passionate sports enthusiast, Chad’s family life was competitive, yet warm and open to exploring other avenues. As young boys, next older brother Scott and Chad discovered and gained fervor for all things involving horses. Scott remembers, “Chad and I always loved horses. Despite the sports passion in our family, our parents encouraged involvement in everything equine related. We rode and trained our own horses, competing locally in all kinds of events.” Scott laughs, “I remember 6 year old Chad racing barrels, taking a sharp turn and falling off his Appaloosa mount. You heard the spectators take a deep breath and then break out in cheers as he stood up, got back on and finished his run!” And the two brothers continued to share their love of horses. “Back around 2003, Chad talked me into breeding my Appaloosa mare Dudes Crystollace to the purebred Monarch V,” Scott recalls. “I was always a Quarter Horse/Appaloosa kind of guy, so this was definitely outside my norm. Well, my mare produced an exceptional gelding we named Marc My Words. Sold as a 2-year-old to Empress Arabians client Kate Gardner, he went on to win the 2007 U.S. National Champion HA/AA
Empress Arabians' Ntl. Champion EA Mybey Berry
Chad and Frosty Hunter Pleasure Futurity Horse title. For a small breeder such as myself, this was a super cool moment. I’ll always be grateful to Chad for talking me into it!” Chad’s beginnings in the Arabian horse industry began in Lisbon, Ohio at Page 2 Arabians, then a huge breeding and training farm populated with over two hundred horses. A high school freshman, Chad started at the ground level, performing grooming duties and then quickly moving up to starting horses, some fifty a year. Chad looks back, “Some of the best trainers in the business were at Page 2: Bob Hart, Sr. and Lance Valdespino, a true horseman who was an inspirational mentor to this young teenaged guy. At Page 2 I showed Arabians with the likes of Ray LaCroix! I was so busy, my parents agreed I could leave school and complete my academic education with a tutor.” Unfortunately, Page 2 Arabians went out of business, with a huge Sotheby’s Auction disbursing their stock. Noted breeder, Wayne Newton, bid on several, including Pralines and Cream, a horse picked especially for his daughter Erin. Seeking one on one equine tutelage, Wayne contacted Chad to help Erin with her horses. This is when career opportunities seemed to unfold for Chad. After working for Wayne Newton, he went to Wrigley Arabians, at one point sent down to Texas to learn from veteran trainer Ray LaCroix. Other ‘up and comers’, including Martha Murdock, Cyndi Rettenmund, Rob Bick and Caralyn Schroter were with Chad at the Texas facility, all gaining valuable experience for future operations of their own.
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During this time, Chad became further acquainted with the renowned LaCroix remembering, “From there, Ray and I moved to Julie Wrigley’s farm in Lake Geneva.” These professional ‘tributaries’ connected, making a passageway to Empress Arabians and the Ruscitto family. While working for Julie (around 1995), Chad learned of yet another professional opportunity located closer to his childhood home and family in Venetia, Pa. Businessman Lou Ruscitto and his wife, Carol, were seeking a trainer for Empress Arabians— their vast Arabian farm operation inspired by their youngest daughter Marla’s love for horses. Chad looks back, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young trainer such as I. To this day, I believe Gene LaCroix and Marla were key to my even being considered for the position, much less getting hired! I always felt the farm was built for Marla; she was already this incredibly knowledgeable young woman when it came to Arabian horses. She knew more about Arabian horse pedigrees and history at age 14 than I!” Lou and Carol had recently made the historic acquisition of Hucklebey Berry (‘HBB’) as Marla had fallen in love with the famed stallion during her summer visits to Gene and Erin’s farm in Whitefish, Mont. The three-time unanimous English pleasure
Chad and son, Preston
Chad and Marla Ruscitto national champion was standing at stud there, for then owners Gerry and Babs Maddox. Carol and Lou recall their first meeting Chad back in 1995. “When we met Chad face to face (after some spirited long distance job negotiations),” Carol says, “I thought he was handsome; a sweet looking young man. My husband Lou had a different reaction to his youthfulness.” Lou exclaimed, “This guy barely looks 18 and he negotiated these terms with me?” Carol smiles with remembrance, “Both Lou and I had a few initial concerns about Chad’s being able to handle our large training and breeding operation. Our reservations were quickly dispelled as Chad immediately went to work, unerringly fitting in with staff, our horses, family and our farm’s culture. We now confess, to early on subtle spying of Chads’ training practices. Never did we witness any abuse of horses or staff. Chad’s philosophy as a trainer is to be patient, yet persistent; fair, yet firm. He always sees the good in horses and people. Chad’s solid character serves him well.” Chad hit the ground running, as at the time, Empress Arabians was breeding around one hundred mares a year. Shows saw the arrival of Marla and Chad bringing a dozen or more horses to compete and winning countless championships. Chad recollects, “Working at Empress Arabians catapulted me into the stratosphere of showing national champions. But working for
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Lou and Carol Ruscitto is about far more than winning that top prize. Their priorities are always about running an honest and fair operation. Putting the horses care and well-being is top of the list. So is mutual respect for everyone who touches Empress’ operation, from the grooms, to Lou and Carol themselves.” Carol confirms, "Chad has been with us for nearly 22 years. He and our daughter Marcy are the parents of our 15-year-old grandson, Preston, so that makes him family too. Chad is a very positive person. He doesn't let negativity into his life. I really admire that about him. He's fun to be around and a great dad to our grandson. Though Empress Arabians is now a smaller operation in herd size, we cannot imagine any future here without Chad. We have lived so many joys: he took our late daughter Marla to a whole new level in terms of showing, all the while sharing a special connection that only Arabian horses can bring. One of our fondest memories is Marla and Chad’s The Ruscittos and Chad with EA Love Potion, EA Words of Wisdom and first national title showing The Big Oh." Carol continues, Mister Matrix “We’ve endured tragedy and still we press on. Lou and I are busy raising our granddaughter Marleea. She loves the horses as much Chad concurs, “During the 22 years (and counting) that I have as her mother did. Chad and Empress Arabians has evolved been with Empress Arabians, Lou and Carol Ruscitto have today to a predominantly training operation with such a special become my biggest supporters, personally and professionally. collection of loyal, long standing clientele. We love our life here They have always done their best to provide me with anything I and want to see it go forward just as it is.” would need to be successful. Whether it be breeding great horses that I got to train and show, or just plain old love and support in my life, Lou and Carol have always treated me like family, even before I became family. I don’t think when Lou hired me all those years ago, that he thought he would end up gaining another family member to help support! We, like every family has, have had our share of ups and downs, but at the end of the day, our foundation keeps us strong. I know I have been blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people like the Ruscittos and everyone at Empress Arabians.”
Ntl. Champion The Big Oh
Barbara Gardner, client and Empress Arabians Farm Manager since 2008, agrees, “My mom and I have been Chad’s clients since 2003. When we first brought our horses here, I remember most how positive Chad was. Even if you did the wrong thing, he never said, ‘You did that wrong.’ Rather he would say, ‘You know that isn’t working, so try to do it this way.’ I never felt like I was being molded into a certain style of rider, I was being molded into the rider my horses needed and I could be. There was never an ‘it has to be this way,’ with Chad.” Barbara continues, “Chad always has some silly way to make you smile, even on a bad day. As co-workers and friends, we have been through many highs and lows. I feel very blessed that our friendship has always held steadfast.”
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Chad “Rich” Beadnell has worked as co-trainer with Chad for some thirteen years. “I arrived at Empress Arabians all of 17 years old, finishing high school by mail. I expected to start at ground level and did. Still, Chad took a chance, elevating me to riding some of our training horses after a matter of weeks. Barely a year later, I was showing! We are a family here, everyone respects each other. It’s work, but it’s family, all at the same time.” Over time, Chad’s training operation has changed. He elaborates, “We are still a national oriented show barn, but most of all, we love the journey we take to go for the roses. I now have several clients: wonderful folks like Brad and Karen Root who trust me with their numerous horses. Brad is one of our vets here; he’s hugely important to our operation. Robin Miller and her Half-Arabian Country English horse RH AK Forty-Seven are wonderful and still going strong; and Jen Childers and Kate/Barbara Gardner are loyal clients beyond measure. Our farrier, Bob Parks, has been with us for 21 years, always looking out for the health and happiness of our horses. We couldn’t have this operation without him.” Chad goes on, “Nowadays, we show up at U.S. with 10 ‘jewels’ to show. We spend a lot of time giving lessons, seeking that picture perfect combination of a charismatic horse and rider.
Ntl. Champion EA Apollomalu “Our training program has changed, but the priorities and goals remain the same,” Chad maintains. “Surround yourself with the best people, folks with integrity, honesty and transparency. Always give mutual respect. Embrace your professional peers and honor them. These days we frequently share a barn at shows with Brian Murch and Strawberry Banks Farm. I consider him a mentor in the best sense; he’s an invaluable friend and consultant, not just about training horses, but in all aspects of our industry.” Brian shares the same feelings, “I’m a little older than Chad. It’s nice to be able to know someone well enough to share advice. Everything Chad and Empress Arabians does, from its staff to horses, is polished and professional from start to finish.”
Every day, Chad’s dogs, Milo and Nino, come to work with him. They truly run his life outside of work and adore him like no other. Every morning and afternoon, he walks them around the farm while he checks on the fields, and when in his office, you will find them both sitting behind him. Milo and Nino want to be with him so much, that even when he is out working, they take over his desk. In telling Chad’s story, leaving out his dogs would be like leaving out a big piece of his heart.
Chad smiles as he reflects on his life, personal and professional, “Family, friends and horses are the cornerstone of my life’s work. This business is a tough one in which to realize success. The physical and mental tasks can take their toll on the best of talent. I’ve been blessed throughout my journey in the Arabian horse industry, having worked with great horsemen who were also fine individuals. I could look up to them as a youngster just entering the business. I’ve been with the Ruscittos and Empress Arabians for 22 years now, likely a record of some sort. My work is my life as family and friends are so interwoven through and through.” Chad concludes, “I’ll always want to be doing what I do, loving the horses, and helping them and their riders create their own path to be the best they can be. God willing, I’ll continue to train great show horses and their riders, and build even more remarkable memories.”
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“I have known Chad for over 25 years. He is a gentleman, honest and hardworking. A talented man who actually trains his horses, is kind to them and always has their health, attitude and wellbeing first in mind. He has integrity and he is a HORSEMAN, a term I do not use lightly. I have watched him grow and become one of the best in our industry. I have had first hand, the pleasure of working with Chad at, and thru Empress Arabians, and during the days of Hucklebey Berry, one of the great horses of our day. I would send him a horse to train and show anytime. Best wishes and continued success in the future.” Your forever friend—Bob Battaglia “I have known Chad since 1992 when we were both at LaCroix Ltd. working for Ray LaCroix. We have had a mutual admiration ever since. Chad has talent, integrity and loyalty all the way to his soul. He is simply one of the "good guys," and I enjoy every successful milestone with him. I am certain there will be many more.” —Martha Rattner “I have known Chad what seems like, forever. Not only is he a wonderful trainer, he is a great person and friend. He makes the world a better place!” —Cindy Clinton "Chad is a consummate professional … a perfect combination of talent, knowledge, and kindness. Working with him is a real pleasure." —Dr. Chat Kleinpeter “I worked with Chad for six years; hard work and a lot of fun, too! I give him credit for getting me going in this business. I highly respect Chad as a great trainer and friend.” —Jonathan Ramsay “Chad is one helluva’ trainer! From the time when we worked together years ago, until today, Chad has always presented himself professionally, with dignity, integrity and friendliness toward everyone. I do believe he has the ability to always do things right— with people, horses or any given situation, and he is as good as any trainer who’s ‘come down the pike’ in decades. Nowadays, I see Chad 2-3 times a year at shows and he always makes me smile. Chad Judy is a true gentleman; someone I aspire my kids to be.” —Jim Lowe “I’ve known Chad since the ‘80s. I believe we first met when he was working with my brother Ray. He has always been a truly fine person, and I regard him as a great friend. Chad always has my respect as a fine individual and is on my list of top trainers.” —Gene LaCroix “I've known Chad since he was 16 years old. He has always been focused and driven by his love for horses and the show ring. Lou and Carol have been an immense influence in his life both professionally and personally. Together they have achieved the greatest level of success in the business, and have done so with pride and integrity. I wish Chad and Empress Arabians much more of the same in the future.” —John Neyer “A versatile horseman beyond words with so much talent and love for the horse; he works a horse with so much softness and ease, which makes for a winning picture.” —Pepper Proffit
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I worked with Chad around 1990 at Page 2 Arabians. He was new in the business; he may have shown some horses with us, but I don’t think so. From the beginning, Chad showed huge potential. He was an excellent listener, taking instructions and following through exactly as asked. He was very good with all our horses, and it was easy to tell he loved them very much. Chad was always enjoyable and fun to be around. We haven’t seen each other in years … what a great chance to say hello!” —Lance Valdespino “I've known Chad since he worked in Texas for Ray LaCroix. The day I met him, he stepped out into the arena with a smile! No matter how hard the job became, Chad never gave up and worked with dignity and pride. He was a gifted horseman then, and boy, has he stepped up and proven it today! From training a great harness horse to winning with English horses; to National Champion Hunters and Show Hack … Chad Judy is a master of them all! There are few others as kind, generous and gifted as Chad. I'm so very proud to call him my friend. Love you, Chad, forever and ever!” —Cathy Vincent “Chad and I had a great time working together for three years. First of all, he is a dedicated trainer and a true horseman, but he is also someone who likes to have fun and enjoy what he does. Going to work every day was easy when you had someone there to bounce ideas off of and lots of laughs to go with it!” —Kevin Price “Back in 1995 or 1996, I was still training horses for Fairway Farms. I got a call from a kid from Pennsylvania that had gone to work for Empress Arabians. At the time, I was familiar with Empress because of Hucklebey Berry (HBB), but hadn’t yet heard of Chad. He asked if we would have some stalls for them if they came in early before the Youth Nationals. He wanted his horses acclimated to the Oklahoma heat. I told him we would make room. This kid showed up with everything clad in purple. He introduced himself and that was the first time meeting Chad Judy. What a class act! He spent the week with us and I remember putting him on his first 5-gaited horse. He was flashing those pearly whites, which are now synonymous with Chad’s many victory passes. In a business that sees trainers come and go, especially in working private jobs, Chad has always been the exception. He not only can train and show a horse to perfection, he is also the example of a steady man. You can count on one hand the trainers that have been with the same farm for over 20 years. Chad Judy is the exception.” —Bill Addis “Chad is an asset to the Arabian horse industry. Not only is he a talented, versatile trainer, he exemplifies all the qualities of a horseman. He treats his horses with dignity and respect, and he is a sportsman who is respected by his peers, not only for his successes in the ring, but for the way he conducts himself out of it.” —John & Christine Ryan “Chad’s long stint at Empress, consistently producing national champions now for decades, speaks volumes not only for his character and his talents, but also about the Ruscittos, our breed, and our industry. New trainers coming up in the ranks can look at success stories like Chad's and be inspired. I have long admired his skill, his integrity and his work ethic. Sometimes he's even fun to be around! Congratulations, my friend, here's to 20 more years.” —Allen Zeller
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s e i r o m e M ... is making them.
The best thing about
TTHE HE WAY WE W WERE ERE
WEE ARE FAMILY W
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We enticed Chad to work for us with the "Black Car".
Lou and Chad bonded like father and son.
A very happy pair ... double National Championships.
Who could resist this face?
Beautiful Memories.
A handsome pair.
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The horse and trainer connection ... Chad has it!
Chad's first National Championship.
DFA
MERCYM M ERCYME ERCYME (Baske Afire x Jullyna DFA)
2015 U.S. National Champion Arabian Pleasure Driving Open with Chad Judy 2015 U.S. National Reserve Champion Arabian Pleasure Driving AAOTD with Jen Childers 2016 U.S. National Champion Arabian Pleasure Driving AAOTD
AALLUSIVE LLUSIVE MOMENT M OMENT
(Allionce x Like Magic) 2006 Canadian National Reserve Champion Arabian Hunter Open with Chad Judy 2006 Canadian National Champion Arabian Hunter AAOTR & AATR
CASTING C ASTING CROWNS C ROWNS DFA
Fifteen years ago, I was fortunate to meet Chad while looking for someone to train our first foal. Fifteen years later, I can’t ima gine our horses with anyone else. From the beginning, he has demonstrated grea t integrity. He is honest, fair, kind and has a kna ck for balancing the best interest of the hors e with the needs of the client. Although our breeding program is small, he has always mad e us feel valuable as owners. Of the five horses we have bred or raised, three have become nati onal champions! Allusive Moment, Casting Crowns DFA and DFA Mercyme were all star ted and shown by Chad. I simply can’t thank him enough for his expertise, but most imp ortantly, for his friendship. Chad, thank you so much for all you have done for me and our farm. I am greatly blessed to know you. You are the best ! Can’t wait for the next adventure!
(Apollopalooza x Hot Flashez TSA) 2007 U.S. National Top Ten Arabian English Futurity with Chad Judy 2009 U.S. National Champion Arabian Country Pleasure Junior Horse
~ Jennifer
COMING IN 2018 … OUR NEXT FUTURE CHAMPION … HA Toskcan Sun x Nottalooza, by Apollopalooza Owners: Jennifer and Bill Childers | Deerfield Arabians 393 Whitmar Hills Rd, Wheeling, WV 26003 | 740-629-7016 Ar abian Horse Times | 36 | Volume 47, No. 10
RH
AAKK Fort Fortyy Seven+/
(Mamage x Lakeview's Savoir Faire)
RH
TTwo wo Thhumbs umbs UUpp
(RH Mi Mamage x RH My Catarina)
Chad, Thank you for being you … Awesom e, Remarkable, Amazing, an Incredible Trainer, Coach and Friend! Thank you for shar ing your professional expertise, for your positive instructions, for the happiness you crea te in my horses and in me! Thank you for your kind and caring heart and for loving my hors es and my family. I would not be as successfu l in the show ring as I am today if it weren’t for you. Our journey together is a blast! Truly, you are the BEST! God is good! —Robin Miller
Ar abian Horse Times | 37 | Volume 47, No. 10
Cha d ,
ng memories many amazi o S ? e rt a st I t would tak Where do are, but tha sh ld u u yo co k I n a h and things gh paper. T nd not enou ything er ev r fo days to do a my heart f o m o tt o b ving in me, from the me; for belie r fo e n o d much! You you have aching me so te d d n a e m any lives an trusting nce in so m re fe eif n d o a re e a d . You have ma e one of them b to te a n u I’m fort best friend! nd truly my my heart! of-a-kind a e bottom of th m o fr u Thank yo forever, Always and ell Rich Beadn
Ar abian Horse Times | 38 | Volume 47, No. 10
BEAM M MEE UP SCOTTY SCOTTY EA (Hucklebey Berry x Scottys Crystal)
National Champion
AALLUSIVE LLUSIVE MOMENT M OMENT (Allionce x Like Magic) Multi National Champion
LLifeinthe ifeintheffastlane ifeinthef astlane CMJ
MARC M ARC M MYY WORD WORDSS
(Take Heart x Hot Flashez TSA) Multi National Top Ten Winner
(Monarch V x Dudes Crystollace) Multi National Champion
IIB
PRETTY P RETTY W WICKED ICKED (Audacious PS x AH Wicked Ways) Multi National Champion
HHot ot In HHarlem arlem
(Harlem Superior x Hot Flashez TSA) Multi National Top Ten Winner All horses, at one time, proudly owned by Kate and Barbara Gardner - Summit Arabians Ar abian Horse Times | 39 | Volume 47, No. 10
Fourteen years ago, I had the good fortu ne to move my horses to Empress Arabian s for training with Chad Judy. He took my daughter and I under his wing and has kept us there since. His training method is what stands out to me the most. He never forces my horses to do a job they can’t perform . He has taken many horses for me over the year s and trained them to National Top Tens or better, and for that I am grateful. I must say, that while the success is spectacular, the jour ney with Chad is what has been the best . He is not only a gifted horseman, he is a kind, funny and entertaining friend. —Kate Gardner From the moment we met with Chad, he has guided us and trained our horses to perfection. We can’t thank him enou gh for our success, or for the journey we’ve been on! Thank you, Chad, for everything! —Kate & Barbara
sa , when I wa Dear Chad ow time flies! From lented horseman. ta gh It’s amazin dmired you as a very ide you for 12 gs a n I lo a y, o yo u ng b me work d show you letting aintain an I appreciate owing me to train, m efinitely been a huge d all years and edible horses! You’ve orseman I am today—to it h cr e in th l severa k e me d the Rusc ping to ma er grateful to you an ared over el h in rt a p e I’ ll be forev e have all sh something he memories that w bsolutely all about th T a ’s r. It fo y e! il m m ti fa ill last a life the years w friend! y tude, m journey, Much grati nz E n a th Jona
The Lally as our trainFamily has been bless multiple re er and friend for 14 ed to have Chad g y family ach ional and national w ears. Beyond the ieve, he ha ins he has s in such a p ositive way. impacted the lives of helped our knowledge our girls We are fore h and for his e has shared with u ver grateful for the s ex a genuine ca ample of persisten s a gif ted horseman ce ring of all , things two , hard work and and four le g ged. Congratula tio -Kriss, Fra ns and much love to y nk, Maura , Devin an ou Chad! d Casey
rs of my best five yeaere my dear e th Cha d , r fo u o ank y yo u w I want to th were you my trainer, hen I rode Mister w e ly n m o d t o se made my u tea life. N ved how yo ch fun together. You top ten; lo I . d n ie u fr aming of a e had so m Matrix—w e true. I was just dre ational Champion, m N dreams co ting to receive U.S. pion, U.S. Reserve never expecadian National Cham ! All I can say is, en 2-time Can hampion AND Top T C l a n Natio ank you. Love always, WOW! Th alkoski Judy Niedz
I first met mare, A A Chad Judy in Janua Pristine, to ry of 1995. Wrigley A I had Ray L with him, rabians in Lake Gen aCroix when he was taken my an d C h a d ev a , W I. My first rid training at gave me on was very su in e working w pportive and helpful of the best I have ev g lesson was er ith Chad a to had! He m e th at year. I re nd he beca him leave fo all m place. We r Empress Arabians, e a good friend. I wa y enjoyed a and Marcy lways kept in contact but he went on to su s sorry to see ch to Chad at when Preston was bo and I was so happy fo a beautiful rn E m . I p re to ss o k , and loved three dif fere r him always gra go ci exceptiona ous and welcoming, ing there. The Ruscit nt horses l! Pittsburgh Sometimes Chad w and the care of my ho tos were —it was alw ould take h rses was and friend is ; the Arabia ays a great time! Ch clients to the city o f ad n horse ind ustry is so is a great horseman blessed to h ave him! —Jean O’L eary
Ar abian Horse Times | 40 | Volume 47, No. 10
A time for everything, and everything in its time.
T he Great Bend Ranch and Empress Arabians began their “official” journey together in 2010. It is only fitting that the Great Bend Ranch horses be with Chad Judy. Brad has had a long-standing working relationship with Chad and Empress Arabians spanning twenty plus years. Together they created many cherished memories for the Ruscitto family. Chad and I became fast friends beginning with the purchase of Worth the Waitt in 2006. She remained with Chad through U.S. Nationals that year. Afterward, Chad and I remained in contact.
He followed Worth the Waitt’s successes, as well as all the purchases we made. He showed an interest in the horses I was showing and loved hearing about my care centers and the people I was helping. T he Great Bend Ranch has numerous horses and can be overwhelming to any barn. When it was decided a smaller more intimate venue was what was sought, it only made sense that Chad was contacted. Since making the decision to move to Empress, we have never looked back. Not only did we find the right setting for our horses, we became a part of a wonderful family. Every decision that the four of us (Brad, Chad, Rich and I) make, places the horse first. Long term decisions are made, and Chad stays the course. Over the years we have all learned one another’s strengths and capitalized on them. Spending time with our horses is very important to us. We prefer to purchase young prospects. One of the great benefits of Empress Arabians is watching the babies develop into young potential show horses. With Chad, we are able to be an intricate part of the journey to the show ring. Although we continue to enjoy showing, the time spent at the barn watching the development of the horse and myself as rider has become what we truly enjoy the most. Chad’s patience, ability to communicate with both horse and rider, and the individual care Chad and his staff provide is unbelievable. It was only fitting that Chad was instrumental in my first Unanimous National Championship and that it was with Worth the Waitt, the horse that brought us together. Although making a move to ride with Chad at Empress had been discussed numerous times in previous years, there is a time for everything, and everything happens in its own time. T hank you, Chad, may our journey continue …
Brad and Karen Root New Mexico | Pennsylvania | Utah Ar abian Horse Times | 41 | Volume 47, No. 10
Egyptian EvEnt prEviEw
Love Horse
For the
of the
JunE 7-10, 2017
by Anne Stratton
“Every year we try to inject fresh, new activities, but we try to maintain those that have made our Event so special,” says Pyramid Society Executive Director Anna Bishop. This year the challenge was to tighten the schedule from five days to four, without dropping any classes or activities. “We wanted to make it easier for [horsemen and their families].”
I
n a world that has been changing at warp speed for the past four decades (at least), it is fairly surprising that the Pyramid Society’s Egyptian Event, which will turn 37 this June, remains as highly regarded now as ever. Check magazines from the early 1980s, when it began, and you’ll see layouts dense with the color of what is clearly a headline stop on the Arabian calendar. That’s not to say that the Event hasn’t changed over time, because it has, but as it evolved, the Society has listened to its participants and, with an eye toward the future, maintained a critical eye on the horse industry as a whole. The result has been enduring popularity for its signature week at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The busiest day will be Wednesday, where classes run for three sessions. After that, the agenda mixes in seminars, awards presentations, a lucrative Kalkata, a membership meeting, a breakfast welcoming newcomers, and the Egyptian Breeders Challenge fundraising auction, which is followed by barn parties. Before long, you’re enjoying Friday evening’s Gala dinner dance, and then Saturday promises to finish the week in style. In the early afternoon, renowned breeder and historian Judi Forbis will sign her new book, Ansata Hejazi, Born to Rule, and in the evening, the top championships will be decided and a battery of ceremonies will recognize both horse and human achievements. The most appreciated features from last year will return, notably the addition of patron tables on the arena floor.
What can show-goers expect this year? A finely-tuned, updated version of the formula that has made the Event famous: the panoramic beauty of the Blue Grass, standout competition (nearly 60 classes), education for both adults and the junior set, social entertainment, youth activities, and one of the most patronized shopping malls in the breed.
Ar abian Horse Times | 42 | Volume 47, No. 10
The Horse Park’s covered arena is famously large, so reducing it to allow for a row of tables on each side makes little change in the exhibitor experience, while improving that of sponsors. On the educational front, the 2017 seminars will address what appeals to current Arabian participants and those of the future. The Pyramid Society looks for attractions that work, and one trend continuing to gain traction is more hands-on horse ownership. This year, Friday afternoon’s seminar will be “Amateur Owned, Trained & Shown— Traditional Halter and Sport Horse In-Hand Demonstration with Tara Carpio.” Will that mean classes for amateur owned and trained horses in the future? It’s possible, Bishop responds, if that’s what their constituency wants. The youth activities at the show are also geared toward learning. In addition to a welcome party and an ice cream social, young horse people will be offered a clinic on grooming, one on photography, and a water color art afternoon called “For the Love of the Horse,” led by Augusta Hammock. One long-applauded part of the Event is its Friday evening Gala, for which reservations are required. Last year, the group hit it out of the park by moving from a local hotel to Fasig-Tipton, one of Lexington’s Thoroughbred auction centers. The expanded area provided the key to the evening, Bishop reports. “In the past, we had to have the dinner and the dance band in the same room,” she explains. “At Fasig-Tipton, we had the dinner and the auction in the dining room, and set up a great band in the [nearby] walk-in pavilion. It worked so well for people who wanted to just sit and talk, and those who wanted to party down and dance. It really was a party!” And for those who loved last year, the same musicians—the Nashvillebased, eight-piece retro band The Body and Soul—have been booked for 2017. In a further nod to detail, a cigar bar will provide another conversation retreat. Those are just the highlights. There’s more, including the hospitable camaraderie of a group that loves celebrating its horses. That’s how the Egyptian Event has remained relevant all these years. Asked how she’s seen the crowd change over that time, Anna Bishop, who has been involved since 1985, would rather discuss the Egyptian enthusiasts now. More than ever, they seem to enjoy their Arabians, she notes, and furthering that is one of the Event’s main goals. “We try to look at every option to keep people engaged and interested, and continuing their passion with these horses.” n
Ar abian Horse Times | 43 | Volume 47, No. 10
COMING IN JULY
Egyptian EvEnt Show CovEragE
A great opportunity to showcase your Egyptian Event wins in the AHT show coverage feature. Reserve your ad space today! 1.800.248.4637 or 952.492.3213 Tony Bergren - 231-286-6085 • Lara Ames - 612-210-1592 • Lesley Blain - 608-751-2069
Ar abian Horse Times | 44 | Volume 47, No. 10
Presenting National Champion Performance Horses Since 1984
MOVIE ACTRESS
*El Ghazi x Movie Maker Multi-National Champion
MON BANDAID
Mon Ta Basko x Diana Osaya Multi-National Champion
BBASKTEZZ
Bask-Tez x Aladdinns Laura Multi-National Champion
Mandalay Bay Promotion x Mi Kaborina Mult-National Champion
KRA DAMMAGE
Mamage x Fyre Flighr Multi-National Champion
HL SANCTION
The Chief Justice++/ x Overlook Seratifa++ Multi-National Champion
HAWK HAVEN FARMS, LLC | Russ & Cathy Vecsey | Easton, Connecticut | 203-261-0525 | rjvecsey@optonline.net Ar abian Horse Times | 45 | Volume 47, No. 10
Ar abian Horse Times | 46 | Volume 47, No. 10
schatzberg
~ George & Frank
MHR Nobility x RY Fire Ghazi, by *El Ghazi | Multi-Program Nominated Sire Hennessey Arabian Horse Partners LLC | 352.857.3384 | www.HennesseyArabians.com Hennessey Arabians is proud to have H Mobility H stand at Trowbridges LTD | Pat & Mary Trowbridge 236 Henry Sanford Rd, Bridgewater CT 06752 | Mary’s Cell: 860-488-7074 | Pat’s Cell: 860-488-7101 Ar abian Horse Times | 47 | Volume 47, No. 10
ferrara
“Thank you, Pat & Mary, for your incredible care and management of “Mo.” Your experience and knowledge has been instrumental in his career and has us extremely excited about the future!”
ESTABLISHED 1984
HISTORIC HOME TO NATIONAL CHAMPION ARABIAN HORSES FAMILY OWNED, OPERATED & ENJOYED
Proudly owned by Carol Skeuse-Hart & Family Trainer Mike Miller Stockton, New Jersey | 609.397.4048 WWW.SPRINGWATERFARMS.COM
Ar abian Horse Times | 48 | Volume 47, No. 10
THE NORTHEAST
200 Years Of Progress And Passion For The Arabian Horse The Northeastern United States has always denied
being labeled with a stereotype. On the contrary, it
is defined by its hunger for continued progression, leading our American society in politics, the arts,
fashion, philosophy and finances in a way that changes not only America, but the rest of the
world, along with it. The birth of our country in
its cradled arms was only the beginning; progress is innately bound in the wiring of this poignant region of the United States.
“Horsemen are the same the world over, whether they wear the rough cloaks of the Bedouins spun under camelhair tents or frock coats built on Fifth Avenue…” —Homer Davenport, 1906
by EVIE TUBBS SWEENEY
And its contributions to the Arabian horse—both historically and currently—are no different. In this story, we’ll be focusing on the weighty inf luence of the following states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. One might assume that this powerhouse of a region would be the home to massive breeding programs. And while there were a handful of significant historical programs, the majority were comprised of smaller breeders and trainers who offered the industry new concepts to consider, glass ceilings broken, and a prevailing guidance in several major industry arenas: Straight Egyptian breeding, the international halter horse, the evolution of the English horse, and small breeding programs that created undeniable results and forever changed the breed. Interestingly, the history of the Arabian horse in America runs nearly parallel to the history of our great nation through General Ulysses S. Grant who, in 1873 while on a trip to the Middle East, was presented with two purebred Arabian stallions: Leopard and Lindentree. Leopard was later given to Randolph Huntington, who subsequently imported four Arabian horses in 1888 from England to his farm in Bloomfield, N.Y., considered the first purebred Arabian breeding program in the United States.
Ar abian Horse Times | 49 | Volume 47, No. 10
Homer Davenport Middle Eastern Expedition.
Vadraff
“I have dreamed of
Less than 20 years later, U.S. politics again aligned with the Arabian horse with President ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt, when he provided diplomatic permission for prominent political figure Homer Davenport’s Middle Eastern expedition to import 27 desert-bred Arabian horses to his Davenport Desert Arabian Stud in Morris Plains, N.J. Albert W. Harris in his book The History of the Arabian Horse Registry of America, writes, “Davenport’s importation of Arabian horses directly from the desert so aroused the enthusiasm of the few Arab breeders in this country that they decided to form a club and registry of their own to promote the interest of their horses and to offer encouragement for the importation of new blood to America.” The only place Arabian horses could be registered at the time was in the (Thoroughbred) Jockey Club, but its interests laid solely in promoting the Thoroughbred.
Arabian horses all my life.” —Homer Davenport, 1905
On September 2, 1908, the Arabian Horse Club of America (now the Arabian Horse Association) was founded in New York. The first meeting was held at the Hotel Belmont, and was attended by the five incorporators: Henry K. Bush-Brown, Homer Davenport, Charles A. Voetsch, Francis A. Huck, and James B. Kilburn. In the years following World War II, the American economy finally saw remnants of healing and stability, largely starting on the east coast and moving westward. There was a newfound freedom of enjoyment not felt in the previous three decades, and the embers stoked by the five founders of the Arabian Horse Club of America were finally able to f lame again. Not surprisingly, Bazy Tankersley jumpstarted the Arabian horse movement in the Northeast when she moved her Al-Marah Arabians operation from the Southwest to Montgomery County, Md. It was here that Al-Marah Arabians grew to become the largest Arabian horse breeding operation in the country by 1957, as Tankersley exemplified her leadership and visionary skills that very year with the largest importation of Crabbet horses in U.S. history following the death of Lady Wentworth. Tankersley would later relocate back to Arizona, but the famous farm experienced its greatest growth while in Maryland, especially with her foundation stallion Indraff.
Bazy Tankersley
Ar abian Horse Times | 50 | Volume 47, No. 10
Tsatyr
Indraff
Cathy and the late Edith Vincent.
*Imperial Madheen
The 60s saw a growing number of inf luential farms make their roots in the Northeast, representing what would become a growing spectrum of industry niches. Black Watch Farm (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) stood the sire of significance Tsatyr (who can be found today in the tail female lines of Afires Heir and Afire Storrm, among others), and also was the professional launch of legendary trainer, Bill Bohl. Bob and Edith Vincent’s Adandy Farm (Greenwood, Del.) was one of the first breeding and training facilities on the East Coast, and is still a thriving program today under the direction of their daughter, Cathy Vincent. Memory Lane Farm (Sherman, Conn.) was a small family-owned breeding program of Bill and Elsie Jones. Their program grew from one Half-Arabian/ Half-Morgan mare to a herd of 55 horses. And one of their four boys possessed a blazing passion for the horses and a giftedness in training. His name was Larry Jones, who would become the head trainer at Dunromin’ Farm. “All the things that a family does when they have their little breeding operation, we did it,” said Jones. “I was with my dad building stalls, and with my mom in the foaling stalls holding feed buckets for the foals. It cultivated an appreciation and need in me for this quiet, honest relationship I had with my horses. It just made sense to me.”
Barbara Griffith
In 1967, Doug and Barbara Griffith launched what would become a strong contingency of Straight Egyptian programs on the East Coast with the opening of Imperial Egyptian Stud (Parkton, Md.). Widely referred to as “The Imperial Inf luence,” its far-reaching effects cannot be overstated. They brought forth numerous outstanding breeding stallions such as Moniet El Nafis, *Imperial Madheen, the German import *Orashan, Salon du Cheval winner Imperial Imdal, and Salon du Cheval winner Imperial Baarez. And though they were known for horses of tremendous type and beauty, they were equally committed to breeding horses who were functional at the highest levels of competition, as seen in their many national championship performance titles, as well as on the racetrack.
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*Orashan
Imperial Imdal
Barbary
The Imperial philosophy for their Egyptian breeding program varied slightly from others. “We didn’t worry so much about inbreeding and linebreeding,” said Eileen Verdieck, respected judge, consultant and trainer at Imperial from 1974 to 1992. “Rather we specialized in creating a horse that offered formto-function, but still fit the niche of beauty and elegance the Egyptian Arabian is known for.” It’s important to remember that during this time, the formidable Polish trend largely realized by Lasma created great momentum for the breed, but also difficulty for lines other than Polish. Verdieck recalled the obstacles they encountered together. “Barbara stuck by me when there were very few female trainers and Egyptian Arabians were somewhat disregarded. She gave me room to grow tremendously.”
Mike Nichols
Even today, Verdeick is quick to recognize the impact Griffith had on her. “I was 21 years old when I started, a very formidable stage, and there for fifteen years. I’m very much still at Imperial in my heart, in terms of always trying to improve, no matter what it was, and understanding that people see beauty in different ways.” Lasma was certainly the primary force behind America’s fascination with the Polish Arabian, but there was one man who made it possible behind-the-scenes. Leon Rubin, owner of Sir William Farm (Hillsdale, N.Y.), was one of the first Americans to penetrate the Iron Curtain into communist Poland, thanks to his ownership of importation companies, and was responsible for some of the very first Polish imports making their way to the United States. Some would call it serendipitous that Black Watch Farm dispersed, leaving talented trainer Bill Bohl available for Rubin at just the right time. Bohl joined Sir William Farm in 1969 and took the legendary farm to new heights, as well as sparked careers for other trainers such as Tim Shea and Mary Trowbridge. Sir William Farm is most known for its Polish imported stallions, *Sambor and *Etiw. Ar abian Horse Times | 52 | Volume 47, No. 10
Arnold Fisher
*Sambor
*Etiw
The two horses were both superstars—*Sambor on the racetrack and *Etiw in the show ring—but the two horses could not have been more different. “For as brave as *Sambor was, *Etiw was the antithesis,” said Mary Trowbridge, owner of Trowbridge’s Ltd. in Bridgewater, Conn., and apprentice trainer under Bohl. “He was literally afraid of everything, especially mud puddles. They would both frequently go on the hot walker together. One of *Sambor’s greatest joys was grabbing his own hotwalker lead and galloping, spinning the walker faster and faster, and dragging *Etiw directly through the mud puddles. They were a hilarious pair.” Rubin was well connected in the political world, and frequently invited his political associates to the farm. “President Nixon had just opened up trade with China,” recalls Bohl. “Since Mr. Rubin specialized in dealings with communist countries, he was very pleased about this new opportunity, and sent Nixon a Polish ham with a note saying how glad he was that Nixon had opened up China. Nixon returned the gesture with a letter delivered by one of his interns that expressed how much he enjoyed the ham. That intern, as it turns out, was Diane Sawyer.” Diane Sawyer would later become the wife of Hollywood movie producer Mike Nichols, who shared a deep friendship and passion for Arabian horses with Rubin. Nichols was considered Hollywood elite, even on the East Coast. Enamored with the Polish Arabian, he was prepared to go big. His first trip to Poland in 1966 was with Dr. Eugene LaCroix when he bought his farm—now the home of Trowbridge’s Ltd. He purchased a few horses on this trip, but unbeknownst to LaCroix, Nichols had a near photographic memory, and used the next year to memorize pedigrees of the Polish stud books. Their second trip the following year resulted in the historic purchases of *Elkin and *Elkana. That year, *Elkin was named 1972 U.S. National Champion Stallion and *Elkana was named 1972 U.S. National Champion Mare. It is the only time in history that both titles have been won by the same owner. *Elkana was later purchased
*Penitent
by Aude Espourteille for a record $185,000 at Nichol’s first glamorous sale in Bridgwater, Conn. “That sale format, with its glamor and headliner entertainment, was the progenitor for the Lasma sales going forward,” remarked Trowbridge. “It definitely set the benchmark for the significant sales of the 1980s.” But Nichols’ legacy wasn’t just limited to the halter arena. His historic purchase of a weanling colt from Varian Arabians would change the English division as well. The colt was, of course, Barbary. “Mike was in a mare pasture at Varian Arabians with Sheila looking at babies,” Trowbridge recalls. “Mike saw Barbary on his mother and said, ‘That is the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen. Can I buy him?’ Sheila looked at him spryly and said, ‘Only if you marry me.’” He did buy Barbary. And while they did not get married, a deep lifetime friendship ensued between the two. “Certainly in the Arabian show world, Barbary stands with *Bask and Huckleberry Bey as the three horses that really evolved the look of the English pleasure horse to what it is today,” Trowbridge states. And as one of the top trainers in the English division, her word is trusted. Nichols also became good friends with Arnold and Audrey Fisher of Dunromin’ Arabians (Pine Plains, N.Y.), who became enamored with Arabians in 1981 after a non-descript trail ride on an Arabian horse in upstate New York impassioned Arnold deeply, and changed their life path forever. Remember Larry Jones? He was just 24 years old when he received a call from Fisher to join them as head trainer. It would later be home to sire of significance Dunabasque, and *Penitent, 1985 Poland National Champion Stallion and 1987 European Supreme Champion Stallion. “Arnold said he couldn’t buy the Yankees or Knicks,” said Jones, “but he could afford to do this.”
Ar abian Horse Times | 53 | Volume 47, No. 10
*Elkana
*Elkin
Hucklebey Berry
After a somewhat discouraging first attempt at ownership, Jones suggested they visit Varian Arabians the following spring. “She blew us away,” said Jones. “Her mentorship and support seemed a perfect fit.” The Fishers purchased five horses, including the great Moonstone Bey V, out of the Khemosabi daughter Moska. “In a world of relationships that are largely affected by competition,” said Jones, “they presented an example of integrity, kindness, and desire to participate generously in their community. Beyond sportsmanship, they believed that the primary purpose of the sport was to care for and love these divine creatures to the very end.” This thread was woven into the hearts of Neil and Barbara Chur as well, who began Strawberry Banks Farm (East Aurora, N.Y.) in 1977, and remains a stalwart cornerstone breeding program in the United States for both halter and English divisions. The Churs—also close friends with Arnold and Audrey Fisher—were committed to the balance and type that the Polish Arabian brought, producing sires of significance such as the Cognac son, Tempter; A Temptation, by Tempter, who was seven-time national or reserve national champion in pleasure driving, English pleasure and park; and Hey Hallelujah, six-time national champion in English pleasure and pleasure driving, and national top ten in halter. And, of course, one cannot forget the incredible Tempter daughter, Ericca, the only mare to win national titles in both halter and performance two consecutive years in a row. She earned this supreme status when she was named 1994 U.S. National Champion English Pleasure Jr. Horse, and then 1995 U.S. National Champion Mare. And remember Tim Shea who apprenticed with Bohl at Sir William Farm? Shea was the handler/rider for both of Ericca’s national championships … a feat also never duplicated.
Barbara and the late Neil Chur.
But Strawberry Banks’s inf luence still doesn’t stop there. On February 19, 2008, Barbara purchased the mighty Baske Afire for $2.8 million at auction. She knew exactly what she was doing. “She wanted him to become what he became … one of the greatest sires of our generation,” said Brian Murch, trainer for 17 years at Strawberry Banks Farm. Ar abian Horse Times | 54 | Volume 47, No. 10
Mary Trowbridge at the Arabian U.S. Open in Central Park.
A Temptation The world was shocked when Neil Chur unexpectedly passed away in 2005. But the passion for the Arabian horse ran deep, and Barbara took the reins, continuing its legacy. The Churs’ daughter and granddaughters share their enthusiasm and loyalty toward the Arabian horse, solidifying the impact of this breeding program for generations to come. Today, the Arabian horse business is as thriving and diverse as ever, with breeding and training farms such as Springwater Farms (Stockton, N.J.), breeder of national champions; Congressional Farms (Westminster, Md.); Quarry Hill Farm (Lakeville, Conn.); leading Arabian sport horse breeder ASA Farms (New Braintree, Mass.); El Hamal Arabians (Salisbury, Conn.); Falcon Ridge Arabians (Rocky Hill, Conn.); Hawk Haven Farms (Easton, Conn.), breeder of the all-time winning park horse, Mandalay Bay; Empress Arabians (Venetia, Pa.), final home of multi-national champion English horse and sire Hucklebey Berry; Ennistymon Farm (Oswego, N.Y.); Valley View Farms (Springtown, Pa.); Dorian Farms (Campbell Hall, N.Y.), Ryan Show Horses (Gettysburg, Pa.), Trowbridge’s Ltd. (Bridgewater, Conn.), Deerfield Arabians (Wheeling, W.V.); Sugar Hill Farm LLC (Victor, N.Y.), the Sutton’s Hy-Wynne Farm (Akron, N.Y.) and many others. Additionally, this past February, the 2017 APAHA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was the deserving legendary trainer Mert Sartre of Hy-Thyme Farm in Berlin, Conn. Sartre is still the only trainer to have won the open western pleasure national championship on a 3-year-old, which he accomplished on Del Taurean in 1973. Several progressive initiatives also call the East Coast their home. The Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund (AHDF), a vision of Mary Trowbridge, was launched in 2004 with a stallion auction that raised $20,000 for a trainer diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was designed as an educational and promotional tool for the Arabian horse, as well as a crisis fund to assist members in times of catastrophe. Since 2004, the AHDF has f inancially assisted hundreds of individuals in the Arabian
Ericca horse community, and dispersed over $500,000 in 2016 alone. It is one of the Arabian horse community’s most treasured member programs. One of the hottest Arabian horse shows in the world is the Arabian U.S. Open, held in conjunction with the Rolex Central Park Horse Show. Now in its third year, the Arabian U.S. Open is a staple on the American show circuit, acting as a competitive arena and promotional vehicle for Arabian horses set against the dramatic Manhattan skyline backdrop. The show brings some of the best halter and performance horses in the country to the heart of New York City in what has consistently been one of the most memorable events of the year, further exemplifying the celebration of diversity on the East Coast. The Northeast is richly rooted in history, with a depth of character in country only it can truly claim. This spirit lends itself to an honoring of tradition, a remembrance of our past as it guides our future, and an embracing of beauty around us for no other reason than soaking up the joy it offers. Maya Angelou once said, “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” From the fortitude of Homer Davenport to the courage of Luis Rubin and the quiet leadership of people like Barbara Griffith, Neil and Barbara Chur, and others, it reminds us that, despite our preferences in what beauty looks like, it is still beauty … regardless of pedigree, style, discipline, or type. Moniet El Nafis, Baske Afire, Sambor, *Elkana, *Etiw, Ericca, Imperial Imdal, A Temptation … picture them in your mind. A more stunning image does not exist than the diverse beauty of the Arabian horse, on vibrant display in this extraordinary region for what is sure to be generations to come. Evie Tubbs Sweeney is a 19-year marketing veteran in the Arabian horse industry who started her journalistic career as an intern with the Arabian Horse Times in 1998. She owns EvieInc Marketing Systems and resides with her husband and son in Santa Ynez, California.
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Farms of the Northeast JENNIFER CHILDERS Deerfield Arabians Wheeling, WV
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? We began 19 years ago with the purchase of the mare, Like Magic, at the age of 19 in foal to Allionce. She was a successful show horse in halter and in English pleasure, was the highest priced Ariston daughter sold at public auction, and is a full sister to CF Fire Magic, dam of Mamage. Her kind eye and sweet disposition truly made her a member of our family, teaching my daughter how to ride and even assisting with a handicapped riding program at Empress Arabians. We couldn’t have asked for a better mare to begin our breeding program with. What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? Again, Like Magic, a dam and grand dam of national champions. Her first foal for us, Allusive Moment, by Allionce, was a national champion and reserve open and amateur hunter horse. Her second and last foal for us, Jullyna DFA, was a nice hunter mare, but an even better broodmare with her first foal, DFA Mercyme, a pleasure driving national champion. The combination of Baske Afire with Ariston and Wiraz on the dam side produced a horse that came close to what I was looking for in an Arabian English pleasure horse. How would you articulate the unique influence (past and/or present) of the Northeast to the global Arabian horse industry? The influence of the Northeast on the Arabian industry as a whole is shaped in part on the strength of its past. A number of veteran Northeast trainers like Brian Murch, Mary Trowbridge and Chad Judy have significantly impacted the industry, not only in the successful training of horses, but also creating opportunities for young, upcoming trainers, such as Jonathan Ramsay, who early in his career
trained many of my youngsters. He is now very successful in California. Also, breeding farms like Empress Arabians with the success of Hucklebey Berry and Strawberry Banks with the success of their stallions, continue to impact the Arabian industry, and will for a long time. How has your program evolved since its inception? Our breeding program is small, but continues to strive for high quality, trainable English-type Arabians. We have begun a new chapter of our breeding program with the purchase of Nottalooza. She exemplifies what I look for in an English type broodmare; pretty, upright with a great hind leg and a genuinely kind disposition. This year she will be bred to HA Toskcan Sun, a Baske Afire son whom I have had great success with in the past. I am hopeful he will complement her well. _________________________________ _________________________________
KATE GARDNER
Empress Arabians Venetia, PA
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? I got my first Arabian in 1988 from a dispersal sale of Egyptian and related horses. I had previously owned Quarter Horses and Thoroughbred hunters. I bought a broodmare and that was the beginning. What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? I have been fortunate enough to be involved with Empress Arabians and Chad Judy since 2002 where our national champion park horse, Beam Me Up Scotty EA was sired by Hucklebey Berry. His influence as a sire in the northeast was certainly evident in the number of champion offspring. How would you articulate the unique influence (past and/or present) of the Northeast to the global Arabian horse industry? The influence of the northeast Ar abian Horse Times | 56 | Volume 47, No. 10
Arabian industry is noted by the number of great breeders and trainers, such as, Chad Judy and Empress Arabians, Brian March and Strawberry Banks, Mary Trowbridge and Christine and John Ryan. How has your program evolved since its inception? My initial involvement was local with mainly halter. After teaming up with Chad, we became involved with performance horses; breeding and purchasing English and hunter horses prospects. Our most recent success was National Champion Junior Hunter Pleasure horse, IIB Pretty Wicked. _________________________________ _________________________________
CAROL SKEUSE HART Springwater Farms Stockton, NJ
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? My father, the late Thomas Skeuse, founded Springwater Farms nearly 33 years ago. Today, my two sisters and I continue to enjoy the breed on a daily basis. How has your program evolved since its inception? Our farm began by importing Arabian horses from Russia and Poland, evolving into our breeding performance horses that have given us great pride in fostering the continuance of the Arabian horse heritage; making Springwaterbred horses visible in most all classes. Springwater’s addition of Mike Miller has further enhanced the caliber of our breeding and sales program, and made riding a joy. How has your program evolved since its inception? Springwater began as a breeding farm, growing into a training facility that has competed on a national scale with great success for many years. Today, we continue to enjoy competing and showing with family owned and bred horses. We continue to breed, but on more of a boutique scale; focusing on quality individuals.
_________________________________ _________________________________
CHAD JUDY
Empress Arabians Venetia, PA
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? I started training Arabians in 1988, but acquired my first Arabians in 1997. What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? As a trainer, my show hack horses have completely changed everything I do in my program and it has made me a better trainer. How would you articulate the unique influence (past and/or present) of the Northeast to the global Arabian horse industry? I would say that smaller numbers have been coming up at local shows in the northeast and slowly I am seeing that happen on a global platform as well. People are not breeding or showing as much as they used to. How has your program evolved since its inception? My program has evolved with great success. I’m blessed to have had this job for over 22 years at Empress Arabians. My clients, along with the Ruscittos, have made that happen. I’m lucky to keep a smaller number of training horses and still be successful on the national level. _________________________________ _________________________________
BETSY KUBIAK
Sugar Hill Farm, LLC Victor, NY
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? I purchased my first Arabian horse in 2002. The farm had been operating for a very short period, and Aires Fire FC was one of the first horses shown under the Sugar Hill Farm navy blue and Kelly green show curtains! Aires is a Kool Fire son out of Aires Bey, a Talismans
Zhivago daughter; not names you hear much anymore. His career progressed from showing in halter, to country pleasure driving and hunter pleasure. What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? Time and effort spent with Brian Ferguson, Brian Murch and Jim Stachowski. These men have provided me with insight into quality mare selection and appropriate stallion choices. They have shared their saddle seat type English horses and performance bloodlines in ways that help me produce successful outcomes that lead to bettering the breed. How would you articulate the unique influence (past and/or present) of the Northeast to the global Arabian horse industry? Baske Afire has had the most influence on my breeding program. I was fortunate to breed to him twice. Both crosses resulted in great horses! A Fire Inside foaled in 2004 (x Mystical Fire JDR) and Curtis Loew in 2009 (x Aladdins Tapestry). Both were successful and claimed national championship titles. How has your program evolved since its inception? Compared to many other breeding facilities, Sugar Hill Farm has existed a relatively short time, but has undergone evolution. From breeding to performance training, showing and lesson programs, the breeding element remains the focus today. Since its inception, that emphasis has led to growth in the program. A separate nine-stall mare and foal barn accommodated the acquisition of American Saddlebred mares. Selling a 7 month old weanling gave me confidence to keep at it! _________________________________ _________________________________
CAROL RUSCITTO Empress Arabians Venetia, PA
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? We acquired our first Ar abian Horse Times | 57 | Volume 47, No. 10
Arabians in 1985; three mares that we used for breeding. What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? Obviously, for us, the horse having the most impact on us was Hucklebey Berry. We were so happy to become his owners in October of 1995 and it was the trip of a lifetime with him. He produced great horses for us, but more importantly, he produced great broodmares. All of his get and grand-get carry similar qualities; they have great trainable minds and are happy performing in the show ring. How would you articulate the unique influence (past and/or present) of the Northeast to the global Arabian horse industry? We can’t speak on the Northeast as a whole, but we feel that our farm has opened the doors for many owners and riders within the Northeast area. That in itself benefits the global Arabian horse industry because the more people involved with our Arabian horses, the better! How has your program evolved since its inception? To think back to 1985 and compare it to now would be asking me to write an entire book. We were just starting our journey into the Arabian world and have gained a tremendous wealth of knowledge over the years. I think our program has grown from a novice level to where, after 32 years in the industry, we are respected, well established and successful. _________________________________ _________________________________
MARY TROWBRIDGE
Trowbridge’s Ltd. Bridgewater, CT
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? I got my first Arabian in 1973, a purebred Arabian gelding named Tsahd. We showed in English pleasure at all of the county and state fairs and horse shows in New Hampshire and Vermont, and went to three All-Arabian horse shows
Farms of the Northeast each year. Not having enough flat space for a riding ring, I trained my horse on the gravel roads that we lived on—the trick was to be sure you got far enough away from home so that when you turned around and tapped him behind your leg for him to go forward, that you had time to stop before getting to our driveway. Winters were icy, and it was a sharp turn ... What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? Since we currently own the old Nichols Arabian farm, and Mike was integral in my eye’s development for an English horse through his purchase of Barbary, I guess I’d have to say that. When I was in my early teens, our biggest show of the year would be the New England All Arabian show in Springfield Mass. I used to watch Bill Bohl, Mert Sartre, Peter Witte, Don DeLongpre, and Richard Petty, among many others, battle it out with some incredible English and park horses, and always wanted to ride horses that looked like theirs. How would you articulate the unique influence (past and/or present) of the Northeast to the global Arabian horse industry? The Northeast has been home to many great Arabian farms through the ages, among them Sir William Farm, Nichols/ DeLongpre, Falcon Ridge Farm and Falcon Ridge Arabians, Windkist Arabians, Peter Witte Stables, Hy Thyme Farms and many others. And of course, WR Brown’s 1912 importation of horses from Lady Wentworth’s Crabbet stud to populate his Arabian breeding farm, Maynsborough Stud Farm, was one of the early advocates of the Arabian horse in this country, and was responsible for a good portion of the bloodlines that are behind many of today’s “American bred” Arabian horses. Certainly, the Polish bred horses have been significant as well, but had they not been crossed early
on with the Crabbet horses—curvey, strong and energetic Arabians—we wouldn’t be where we are today. How has your program evolved since its inception? Our program, honestly, is still true to what it was when we first went into business in 1991—an amateur-based hub for many small breeders and likeminded people that love to spend time with their Arabian horses, enjoy each other’s company, and grow and learn through their interaction with their animals. It’s truly a blessing to be able to still satisfy the needs of great people and great horses, and share our love of the horses with others. _________________________________ _________________________________
CATHY VECSEY
Hawk Haven Farms LLC Easton, CT
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? I joined AHA in 1979 after a 4-H day at a local farm, and Russ joined in approximately 1983. We should have bought life memberships, I guess! What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? Our program has downsized due to the shrinking Northeast population. It is very difficult for multiple reasons, from a short show season, to huge hauling bills to high profile horse shows. Members of the region are extremely dedicated and loyal to the breed and the clubs, but we just need more exposure due to being surrounded by a huge hunter/ jumper climate. How would you articulate the unique influence (past and/or present) of the Northeast to the global Arabian horse industry? In the past, we were quite the powerhouse with multiple national caliber breeders and huge competitive shows. Now,
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we are as we have always been, “in for a penny, in for a pound,” regardless of how the wind blows on the national level. The same core group always comes out to support the local shows year after year, many of them 40 plus years or longer. How has your program evolved since its inception? We have changed our ideas in regards to breeding, because of space limitations and the expense of our town which taxes horses. Now we hope to breed again and are in the process of starting this year, but will board them and foals in another state. In today’s world, buyers want to look at multiple options with minimal hassle, so are now trying to send horses out that are for sale. _________________________________ _________________________________
CATHY VINCENT
Adandy Farm Greenwood, DE
What year did you get your first Arabian or Half-Arabian? I started in 1968 when I was 12 years old with Al-Marah Adandy. What horse or event within the Northeast has influenced or had the most impact on your program? There’s been many great horses that have impacted our program. Gitar MF has built our strong breeding program to where it is today, and has sired many great horses. How has your program evolved since its inception? We have grown leaps and bounds. We started with an 18-stall barn, and I lived in a little apartment attached to it. Now we have 70 stalls, a large indoor arena, four ready rooms, two tack rooms, two wash rooms, and a new breeding barn with all modern facilities. Since my mother’s passing, we have made her home into a bed and breakfast. n
Working Western Promote in July Trainers Exhibitors Breeders Sale Horses Clothing Tack Trailers Be Included!
Contact your sales representative today! Tony Bergren • 231-286-6085 • tonyb@ahtimes.com Lara Ames • 612-210-1592 • lara@ahtimes.com Wayne Anderson • 612-751-6897 • wayneand@ahtimes.com Lesley Blain • 608-751-2069 • lesley.blain3@gmail.com www.AHTimes.com • 952-492-3213 • 800-248-4637 Ar abian Horse Times | 59 | Volume 47, No. 10
Coming in August ...
Minnesota Arabian Horse Breeders
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Contact your AHT sales representative today! Tony Bergren • 231-286-6085 • tonyb@ahtimes.com - Lara Ames • 612-210-1592 • lara@ahtimes.com Wayne Anderson • 612-751-6897 • wayneand@ahtimes.com - Lesley Blain • 608-751-2069 • lesley.blain3@gmail.com
www.AHTimes.com • 952-492-3213 • 800-248-4637 Ar abian Horse Times | 60 | Volume 47, No. 10
Owned by Southern Oaks Farm | Kelli Aguirre, Jupiter, FL | www.VJRoyalHeir.com | Standing at Kiesner Training, Louisville, TN | www.KiesnerTraining.com
Proudly owned & bred by Maroon Fire Arabians For breeding information contact Shea Stables | Tim & Marty Shea | 810-329-6392 | sheastable@aol.com Trained & ridden by Joel Kiesner
Cover Story: VJ Royal Heir by ANNE STRATTON
You can breed to a stallion for his show record or you can breed to him for his pedigree. Knockout conformation doesn’t hurt either, but when you get it all in one package, that’s a different thing. Then, when the foals start to bring those visions to life, bingo. The problem for owners of English horses is the wait. Foals rarely enter competition before they are 3; typically, they are 4 before they fully understand their mission, and then around 5, mentally and physically strong, they hit their stride and blow out the show ring. In other words, this is the year to pay attention to the foals of VJ Royal Heir, who at 9 is welcoming his fifth foal group. From his limited opening crop, babies of 2013, two signaled talent early by earning top tens in the 2016 U.S. National futurities. But it is now that the 3-year-olds will arrive in force, and for English enthusiasts—especially VJ Royal Heir’s owner, Kelli Aguirre—this is the time to be on the rail. Let’s take VJ Royal Heir’s credentials point by point.
Ability
“One of the most important things about this horse is that he did it,” says Joel Kiesner, who showed Royal Heir to his back-to-back national championships. “He was the unanimous U.S. National Champion in Junior English [2013] and he won open English [2014]. There are only a few stallions in the country that can say that—you have to be really exceptional to be an open English national champion.” But what’s most important is why he was able to do that. “He has an overwhelming size and presence about him,” Kiesner says, “not just that his neck is towering, but that he is a 15.2 or 15.3-hand horse himself. He is a commanding horse. And then he has motion that is really unique: his trot is powerful, and has a slow cadence to it that offers a strength that is completely his own. And he trained all the way to win those awards. He’s got good, straight legs, he is strong, powerful, and has a great tail. Those are his personal attributes.”
Pedigree
Fact check some of the names, beginning with the top half: Royal Heir’s sire, Afires Heir, won four national championships in English, and is by Afire Bey V, the dominant English sire of the past quarter century and the son of another sire dominant in his day, U.S. National Reserve Champion English Pleasure Huckleberry Bey. Royal Heir’s granddam was Brassmis, one of the most influential broodmares of all time, a daughter of Brass and granddaughter of U.S. National Champions in Park *Bask and MHR Nobility.
Royal Heiress SOF U.S. National Top Ten Country English Pleasure Futurity 2013 mare out of BL Miss Chips
The bottom half plays an equally strong role. Royal Heir’s dam, MA Ghazta Trot, is by U.S. National Reserve Champion English Pleasure *El Ghazi, and out of Fire Essense, whose bloodline features Pro-Fire, a U.S. National Champion Park horse who was by *Bask and out of *Prowizja, both U.S. National Champions in Park. And Fire Essense was out of BRA Quintessa, a national champion in amateur park who was by Mikado—you guessed it, another U.S. National Champion in Park. What is most important about all of those attributes is that many of the names in Royal Heir’s pedigree also have been strong, consistent breeding horses. An examination of the individuals can trace where some of his talent is coming from. The infusion of English talent is apparent in the Afire Bey V line; many breeders point to his dam side as a critical element for consideration. “*El Ghazi is another cross for getting a tall neck,” Kiesner says. “Between Afires Heir and *El Ghazi, that’s an insurance policy for a tall, lean, flexible neck. And the Pro-Fire, *Bask, *Prowizja line of park horses probably has something to do with his long, slow stride. That has to be coming through his dam line.”
Results
Steve Lazzarini of BL Ranch, who owns the remarkable broodmare Rumina Afire, runs what might be considered a perfect test kitchen. When the twice-national champion Rumina retired, he used embryo transfer to try several top English stallions to find her best crosses (for the record, he says that so far, it has been Royal Heir), and as he gathered a proven band of English producing broodmares, he continued with the technique. “I’ve bred to Royal Heir 11 times,” he says, “because I’m looking to put the best quality horses back in the ring and do my part as a breeder in our industry.” His frame of reference is English, and he’s enjoyed honing his skills over the years.
Supremely Royal SOF 2015 Colt out of ALove Supreme
Truly Royal SOF 2016 Colt out of Rumina Afire
Uptown Funk SOF 2015 H/A Colt out of Honolulu City Lights (ASB)
“When you breed, you always try to breed for better than what you have,” Lazzarini says. “As Don DeLongpré told me years ago, ‘I don’t care if you have two national champions, that doesn’t mean you’re going to breed one.’ But if you put all the body parts together—the mechanical parts in a performance horse—nine times out of 10, if you have a quality mare and stallion, that foal is going to be quality too.”
Further endorsement comes from the elite English barns which have Royal Heirs in training. Stachowski Farms, for instance, has three, and the word is that all are impressing their trainers—enough so that Kiesner, even though he may be riding against the Stachowskis this summer on Royal Heir youngsters, laughs and says, “If they’re on our horses, of course we’ll be cheering for them!”
His rule of thumb? “If that horse doesn’t have a hip and a hind end, length of leg and depth of shoulder, and a neck and carriage with a bend at the poll, they’re not going to be able to do their job to the best of their ability.
He gets serious. “We support everybody riding horses by our stallions that we helped to create—we cheer them on to win a lot of ribbons and sell for big prices. Kiesner Training Center believes in the old Lasma saying, ‘Your success is our success.’”
“Royal Heir has his father’s beautiful neck, and he throws that ‘pretty’ and a very good front end,” he continues. “What I really like is the *El Ghazi bottom side. I think that’s where he gets some of his impulsion. That’s what Royal Heir brings to the table and that’s why I love him as a breeding stallion.”
As we said, this is the summer to start watching the sons and daughters of VJ Royal Heir. n
Kiesner, who fully appreciates Afires Heir, agrees about the importance of MA Ghazta Trot’s contribution. “It’s worth noting that from what we’re seeing, Royal Heir is passing along a good dose of *El Ghazi,” he says. “Nine-tenths of Royal Heir’s babies are black bay and have that neck, and what’s striking to me is that about three quarters of the babies that I see have that exaggerated, slow style of motion that he has, where the whole shoulder just comes up and hangs for a second. I think it’s really desirable. “From what I’ve seen and what I hear from everybody that’s bred to him, people are happy with their babies,” he adds. “We’re getting a lot of rebreeds.” “Why do I breed so much to Royal Heir?” Lazzarini asks rhetorically. “I’ve had great success. Every baby that I’ve had, I know will be national quality. Only time will tell, and from what I see, I think there’s a high probability it’s going to happen.” He points out the final integral component in the process. “We’re very hands-on at our farm, so I can see how they train out,” he says. “The Royal Heirs are very trainable as babies; they learn very fast and they want to learn and work.”
VJ Royal Heir Afires Heir x MA Ghazta Trot
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Leading English Breeder 2016
Mares for sale Name
DOB
Sire
Dam
Ballroom Blitz PF Evening Wheir HH Tiny Dancer Italia CCF JSN Cosmopolitan Miss Carrissima (ASB)
3/4/13 4/6/12 4/19/07 3/23/13 5/8/07 4/29/06
Mamage Afires Heir VF Vanguard HA Toskcan Sun El Ghazi Rare Perception
B Witched Baske Afire HDC Walentyna Way Kool HH Angelica HH Allegro MZ Kitty Matoi Angel Afire Afire Bey V Mia Carrissima Foxfire’s Prophet
Evening Wheir
HH Tiny Dancer
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Sire of Dam
Being bred for 2018 Foal Thunder Struck LR SF Aftershoc HA Toskcan Sun Afires Heir Noble Dynasty PF HA Toskcan Sun
Prestige Farms ... recognized as a Leading English Breeder in 2016 & for raising and selling top national show horses and broodmares. We are proud of their accomplishments.
Miz Show Biz
Ruby Red CCF
Baske Afire x Miz Kitty
Afires Heir x ERA Witchy Woman
Noble Vision PF
foals
2017
MHR Nobility x Neveah W
Some may be available for purchase
Sire Afires Heir Afires Heir Baskghazi Baskghazi Black Daniels CSP Grand Caymon HA Toskcan Sun HA Toskcan Sun Nutcrackers Nirvana Nutcrackers Nirvana SF Aftershoc SF Aftershoc
Dam Eternity PF Beverly Hills Barbie CP Dansing Heiress HV Tesstoify Miz Katarina Bask PF Miz Show Biz Cohiba Baby MD Bellamesa HH Tiny Dancer Red Hott Mama JSN Cosmopolitan JR Primadona
Sire of Dam MHR Nobility Afire Bey V Afires Heir Matoi Baske Afire Baske Afire Hucklebey Berry MHR Nobility VF Vanguard Mamage El Ghazi AA Apollo Bey
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Sex
Colt Filly Filly Filly Filly Colt Filly
Irwin Schimmel • 360-256-9432 • Cell: 503-367-4997 P.O. Box 814, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123
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The
Firelord National Champion 1993-2016
Afire Bey V x Barbarys Jubilee
My Dearest Fire: Thank you for sharing your beauty, your spirit, and over 23 years of your life with me. I will hold you in my heart until the day we may meet again. —Merrilee
Silver Stag Arabians, LLC
Lovingly Cared For By Team Adandy
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Leading Owners of 2016 Wi n n i n g E n g l i s h H o r s e s
Nobilistic Nobilistic
BF
MHR Nobility x Love Of Wisdom
ing i n g Wi n n d a e L l l O vera ish Horse l g n E 6 1 20
TITLEIST BF
Nobilistic BF x PWA Tusea 2016 National Champion Arabian Country English Pleasure Junior Horse with Joel Gangi Owned by: Barbara Blanck and Luci Hernandez
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Boisvert Farms, one of the leading breeders of winning English Arabians and Half-Arabians in 2016
S ta l l i o n s b r e d t o p e r f o r m . . . Bred to produce!
GSF
Rizing Son Rizing Son
Apollopalooza x PWA Tusea
RIZING STOCK BF
GSF Rizing Son x Callaway’s In The Money 2016 Canadian National Champion H/A Country English Pleasure Junior Horse with Joel Gangi
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GETTY-LOWE PHOTO
affliction
Mamage (Zodiac Matador x CF Fire Magic by Ariston) | PSI Love U (Allience x Provocatiw by Pro-Fire)
ALL THE RIGHT PARTS F O R T H E N E X T G E N E R AT I O N
Owned by Dr. Nancy O’Reilly | Amazing Horse Woman, LLC www.drnancyoreilly.com Standing at Lowe Show Horse Centre | Somis, California Contact Jim Lowe 805.444.8583 Ar abian Horse Times | 14 | English • 2017
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ENGLISH & COUNTRY HORSES AVAILABLE FOR CONSIDERATION Alpha Memories CRF | Afires Heir x Alpha Phi | 2014 HA Ch Mare Angelina Ames | Afires Heir x Aria Endless Summer | 2014 PB Bay Mare Bellazi CRF | A Noble Cause x VDF Bella Ghazi | 2014 PB Bay Mare Cause Afire CRF | A Noble Cause x HA Sahara Afire | 2014 PB Ch Gelding Fire It Up CRF | Baske Afire x On Tulsa Time | 2014 HA Bay Gelding Noble Symbol CRF | Noble Supreme CRF x Colette Ames | 2014 PB Ch Gelding Sir Mystical CRF | Sir Marwan CRF x Toi Jabaska | 2014 PB Bay Gelding Supreme Glamor CRF | Noble Supreme CRF x Glamorize | 2014 HA Bay Mare The Machine CRF | A Noble Cause x Lady Machine | 2014 HA Ch Gelding Ames Nutorious | Undulatas Nutcracker x Toi Jabaska | 2013 HA Ch Mare Noble Lad CRF | Noble Supreme CRF x HV Trinidoll | 2013 PB Bay Gelding Cause A Discovery CRF | A Noble Cause x Madame Ghazi | 2014 PB Bay Gelding Ames Imperator | Afires Heir x Aria Endless Summer | 2013 PB Bay Stallion Bold N Sassy CRF | A Noble Cause x Sweet Dreams | 2014 HA Ch Mare His OwnMan CRF | Baske Afire x Gunning For Roses KCF | 2013 HA Bay Gelding Ultimate Fire CRF | Afire Bey V x Ames Patina | 2014 PB Bay Gelding
The Ames Family Jordan, Minnesota | 952.492.2537 www.CedarRidgeArabians.com
Ar abian Horse Times | 17 | English • 2017
Prosuasion NATIONAL CHAMPION
SF Specs Shocwave x Mz Kitty
2008 Chestnut Stallion | AEPA Enrolled Sire CONTACT FOR B REEDING INFORMATION : DALTON & KELLIE BUDD | 317.531.1326 | INFO @ S ELECTS HOWHORS ES.COM W W W. S E L EC T S H OW H O R S E S .CO M
Ar abian Horse Times | 18 | English • 2017
Winning... It is not a goal,
HELLUVA STORM LR (Thunder Struck LR x Lela Rose)
it’s a
TTraditio radition!
VEGA Z SHOWSTOPPER (Vegaz x Beyonce B, by Ba s ke Afire) DALTON & KELLIE BUDD | 317.531.1326 | INFO @ S ELECTS HOWHORS ES.COM W W W. S E L EC T S H OW H O R S E S .CO M
Ar abian Horse Times | 19 | English • 2017
“WAY TO GO, JOE!” A 2016 LEADING NATIONAL ENGLISH WINNER …
Big And Rich
SCA
(Afire Bey V x Two To Tango SCA)
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
2016 Canadian National Champion English Pleasure AAOTR 40 & Over 2016 Canadian National Champion Park AOTR 2016 Canadian Reserve National Champion English Pleasure AATR 2016 U.S. National Top Ten English Pleasure AAOTR 40 & Over 2016 U.S. National Top Ten Park AAOTR 2015 Canadian Reserve National Champion Pleasure Driving Multiple U.S. and Canadian National Top Tens in English Pleasure AAOTR and Pleasure Driving AAOTD 2014-2016 Region 11 Champion English Pleasure AAOTR
Liliana
JB
(SF Specs Shocwave x MD Chardonnay) 2016 Canadian National Top Ten Country English Pleasure AATR & AAOTR 2016 Region 11 Champion Country English Pleasure AAOTR 2015 U.S. National Top Ten Country English Pleasure Jr. Horse
Kevin Price • 612-418-8401 • priceperformance@yahoo.com 19805 W. Lawnsdale Road, New Berlin, WI 53146 www.PricePerformanceHorses.com Ar abian Horse Times | 20 | English • 2017
English is our first language ... ... In the show ring!
Blazn Jewel HPF SF Specs Shocwave x Jeweled Spirit
WP Corporate America WP Corporate Image x Barbarys Angel
... And in the breeding shed! Come and see the 2017 babies by Baske Afire, Baskghazi, SF Aftershoc, Afires Heir and Nutcracker’s Nirvana. Illuminati VH SF Aftershoc x JB Rose Afire Vi c k i Hum p hrey, Jes si ca Cl i nton DeSoto, Gabe DeSoto Ca nton, Georg i a ~ 770.3 3 5 .6 1 9 4 ~ VHTC@Vi ck i Hu m p h rey.com w w w.Vic kiHu m phrey Tra ining Center.com
Ar abian Horse Times | 21 | English • 2017
PROUD OF OUR FOALS BY VJ ROYAL HEIR OUT OF RUMINA AFIRE AND HER DAUGHTER BL TORRID AFFAIR 2014 SD Sir Supreme VJ Royal Heir x Rumina Afire 6/13/2014 Bay Colt (The Dell Family) 2015 BL Royally Ridicuoulus VJ Royal Heir x Rumina Afire 1/23/2015 Bay Colt (BL Ranch) BL Now Or Never VJ Royal Heir x Rumina Afire 5/25/2015 Bay Filly (I Ask, LLC) 2016 Truly Royal SOF VJ Royal Heir x Rumina Afire 3/5/2016 Bay Colt (Southern Oaks Farm) Pending VJ Royal Heir x BL Torrid Affair 3/31/2016 Bay Filly ~ FOR SALE 2017 Pending VJ Royal Heir x BL Torrid Affair 1/13/2017 Bay Filly ~ FOR SALE Pending VJ Royal Heir x BL Torrid Affair 3/21/2017 Bay Colt ~ FOR SALE Pending VJ Royal Heir x Rumina Afire 3/23/2017 Bay Colt ~ FOR SALE Pending VJ Royal Heir x Rumina Afire 4/4/2017 Bay Filly (Highland Pride Arabians) Pending VJ Royal Heir x BL Torrid Affair 4/7/2017 Bay Colt (Southern Oaks Farm) Unborn VJ Royal Heir x Rumina Afire Due 4/30/2017
VJ ROYAL HEIR X RUMINA AFIRE
Afire Bey V x HL Raisa | BL Ranch, Steve & Diana Lazzarini | 760-219-5292 | DesertVIP@aol.com | www.RuminaAfire.com
FOUR-TIME U.S. NATIONAL UNANIMOUS CHAMPION & A LEADING SIRE OF ENGLISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS FOUR-TIME U.S. NATIONAL UNANIMOUS CHAMPION & A LEADING SIRE OF ENGLISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS WWW.AFIRESHEIR.COM WWW.AFIRESHEIR.COM Proudly owned by Bill & Shirley Reilich | Standing at Kiesner Training | 865.984.5245 Proudly owned by Bill & Shirley Reilich 3418 Miser Station Road, Louisville, TN 37777 | Multi-Program Nominated Sire Standing at Kiesner Training • 865.984.5245 3418 Miser Station Road, Louisville, TN 37777 Multi-Program Nominated Sire
KIESNER
Ar abian Horse Times | 23 | English • 2017
Ar abian Horse Times | 24 | English • 2017 schatzberg
schatzberg
janson vesty
ferrara
vesty
Ar abian Horse Times | 27 | English • 2017
Why Showtime Training?
Ar abian Horse Times | 28 | English • 2017
Why Not? 493 BOONE ROAD , N EWNAN , GA 30263 BARN 770-252-3300 T ISH K ONDAS 678-427-0595 C ARLA SCHILTZ 253-380-0853 W W W. S H OW T I M E T R A I N I N G C E N T E R . N E T
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2016 Half-Arabian Leading English Winner with 3 Championships 2 X C A N A D I A N & U. S . N AT I O N A L C H A M P I O N
Toi Sensation
CRF
(Matoi x Alpha Phi)
Gordon Potts • 817-312-4017 10312 County Road 1020 • Burleson, TX 76028
with Katie Harvey
Ar abian Horse Times | 30 | English • 2017
San Antonio, TX • www.kgbtexas.com
ENGLISH IS OUR TRADITION!
S I N C E
1 9 9 9
27109 South Creek Drive, Magnolia, Texas 77354 Trainers: Chase Har v il l, 480-338-0865 | Bailey Ba l lard | Breeding/ Barn Manager, Mandy Har v il l 480-338-0863 Email: chtrncntr@aol.com W W W.C H A S E H A RV I L L .C O M Ar abian Horse Times | 31 | English • 2017
Ar abian Horse Times | 32 | English • 2017
FIRED UP!
U.S. NATIONAL UNANIMOUS CHAMPION
Baske Afire x Ghreta, by El Ghazi 2014 U.S. NATIONA L R ESERV E CH A MPION AEPA Arabian Horse Times $10 0,0 0 0 Arabian English Futurit y Owned by Highland Pride Arabians Standing at Golladay Training | 515-520-7604 w w w.GolladayTraining.com
Ar abian Horse Times | 33 | English • 2017
… Turning out Champion After Champion
OH DANCING ON HEIR (AFIRES HEIR X DD MY DANCE) 2016 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION COUNTRY ENGLISH PLEASURE JR. HORSE
JASON KROHN & RGT THE BOSS (AFIRES HEIR X STYLING TIME) 2016 U.S. AND CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION H/A ENGLISH PLEASURE JR. HORSE
SD GR ACELAND (VEGAZ X EMPRESS OF BASK, BY AFIRE BEY V) 2016 U.S. RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION PLEASURE DRIVING
Jason Krohn, Lauren Grabski and Cassie Banks, Trainers Farm 903-882-5205 • genna@oakhavenarabians.com Jason Krohn 903-539-3812
W W W. OA K H AV E N A R A B I A N S . C O M Ar abian Horse Times | 34 | English • 2017
Rising Stars …
Lauren Grabski
CF BADR AS SYMPHON Y (BASKE AFIRE X SWEET DAY DREAM) NATIONAL CHAMPION
Cassie Banks
WICKED FIRE (BASKE AFIRE X CALLAWAY’S CARIOCA) NATIONAL CHAMPION
Jason Krohn, Lauren Grabski and Cassie Banks, Trainers Farm 903-882-5205 • genna@oakhavenarabians.com Jason Krohn 903-539-3812
W W W. OA K H AV E N A R A B I A N S . C O M Ar abian Horse Times | 35 | English • 2017
In The eye … RIchaRd WRIghT How long have you been associated with horses and in particular, the Arabian breed? During a family vacation to Yellowstone in the late 60’s, we stopped by Richard Neuman’s Arabian Heights, literally from an ad in the Arabian Horse News. I met the current national champion stallion, Mujahid. Mr Neuman’s kindness and his love of the Arabian horse was clearly infectious. What separates the Arabian horse from other breeds? I have ridden and judged many horses of various breeds that I am in awe of, but even in this age of specialization in our competitions, I find the Arabian to have an innate beauty and intelligence that is exciting and challenging to work with. In starting a lesson program, what is the most important aspect to remember? You should only allow access to a horse or horses that would safely permit beginning riders to make the mistakes in balance and judgement that we have all made with no adverse reaction. What is the best age for beginning lessons? It would depend on the individual child, but typically age 6 or 7. How do you market your lesson program to the general public? Word of mouth has been the most effective for me. How do you determine what discipline is the best for a horse/rider? Just as with a horse, you evaluate a rider’s physical and mental aptitude to determine what discipline would be the most enjoyable and successful. How do you educate families on the expenses? I have never believed that the greatest expenditure insures the greatest result, but a greater budget can save time. A frank discussion of the need for quality along with a working knowledge of how to cut costs is a great conversation
to have and demonstrates empathy with the parents or responsible parties. What do you think competing with horses can teach one in their adult life? This is the single most important reason to involve anyone of any age in riding and competing on a horse. The physical coordination and mental acuity needed to achieve specific results and the ability to prepare and experience both success and failure on a manageable scale is beyond any monetary cost. All of these must be achieved while involving empathy for another living being, requiring cooperation and consideration of an intended result. Do you treat someone who is 35 and wanting to ride, different from someone who is 6? Each has pluses and minuses: young riders may have the ability to adapt more quickly to the physical requirements, but they also do not think things through as clearly. However, an adult’s ability to think more clearly can also lead him or her to be more impatient with their progress. How do you incorporate team work into riding? Teamwork is not an element of riding. It is the foundation and the essence of riding: horse and rider, coach and rider, and even you and your competitors. For a barn that is predominately a breeding or halter farm, how would you convince them that lesson programs are important? Any introduction to horses furthers interest and broadens the market. How do you deal with the city merging more and more into rural areas? Involvement in animals and agriculturerelated issues is essential to a well-rounded life even if the involvement is not permanent. What advice would you give to someone that you wish had been given to you? There is nothing wrong with accepting money for what you would do with your life anyway. n
Ar abian Horse Times | 36 | English • 2017
Ar abian Horse Times | 37 | English • 2017
The Arabian
Saddle Seat Horse
Opulence And VersAtility
T
Sofia Kavanaugh photo
he adaptability and elegance of the Arabian horse breed has always been part of its history and legacy. In times past, their usefulness spanned the gamut … halter horses were shown in saddle seat classes, western classes and vice versa. Decades ago the legendary Khemosabi was the perfect example, winning national honors in all of the above. Nowadays, times have changed. English horse breeding has loomed forward with breeding goals, trainer barns and farm specialties. Today our horse shows offer specialty classes even within a particular discipline. Nowhere is this truer than with the Arabian saddle seat/English horse. Whether one is competing at an ‘A’ rated event or the national level, the show schedule will invariably list a ‘variety pack’ of saddle seat/English disciplines in which rider and mount can compete. Our judges rule book and classroom teachings has very specific criteria used to judge each of these individual classes. The one commonality is this: a saddle seat horse must display spirit, charisma and a pleasure to perform. From there the details vary. The more disciplined nature of the country horse require it to patiently walk off on a loose rein. The brilliant, ‘bravo’ performances of the English pleasure and park horse classes show the flashiest foot fancy of our Arabian English horses. Interwoven through all this, our saddle seat/English horses will perform behind the cart, show adorned in native costume attire, tacked up in dressage gear, and in posh saddle seat attire. Some partner with an amateur child in walk/trot classes. Others compete with an adult amateur. Later, the same horse may ‘bring down the house’ with a professional in an open class performance. It’s no wonder today’s saddle seat horse is our industry’s ‘uptown opulent’ performance ambassador for the Arabian breed. On the following pages, some of our ‘people’ ambassadors share their thoughts on why it is their first choice.
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cArOl BrAgg Patchwork Pony, Riding Apparel How are you involved in the English pleasure discipline? Through our business, Patchwork Pony, a riding apparel and accessory consignment store, located in Charleston, West Virginia. Our main focus is on saddle seat, with a huge selection of riding suits/habits, formal tuxedos and day coats, along with all of the hats, boots and accessories that you will need for the show ring. We also have a large selection of hunt seat and western apparel, as well as road silks. How long have you been involved in the English pleasure discipline? Our daughter, Lexie Bragg, began riding saddle seat many years ago, when she was nine years old. There was no place in West Virginia to buy saddle seat apparel, so we started calling and visiting consignment stores to get what we needed. After a few years of searching, in 2008, we decided to open The Patchwork Pony, mostly to serve our local market. At first we only had a few items, mostly from our daughter’s friends, but in a short time we were nationwide. What draws you to English pleasure? The customers’ needs to have quality product. In addition to our shop, which grew very well on its
own, we also took over the inventory from The Good Habit, The Saddleseat Connection and Showcase Tack when they decided to shut down their consignment clothing businesses, and we are the exclusive consignors for Marsha DeArriaga, Hawkewood and Frierson’s. We have been told that we have the largest saddle seat consignment inventory in the country. How do you see yourself continuing to grow in the industry? We think it’s all about providing quality products and fantastic service to both our customers and consignors. In order for this business to be successful, you have to have a good reputation—our consignors must trust that we are going to take care of their inventory and treat them fairly, and our customers have to trust that we will make them look great in the show ring for a fair price, and get what they need in their hands when they need it. What is your favorite part about being connected to the English pleasure rider? We LOVE helping our customer’s look great in the show ring. There is nothing more special to me than seeing a smiling young rider point at me and tell her mom, “there’s the Patchwork lady,” or having a kid run up to me with their blue ribbon and give me a hug because we dressed her so well. Of course, I also like it when a consignor thanks me for the big consignment check they just received for last month’s sales. It’s all about the people and we love helping them.
JOe Burich
Farm Affilliation: Price Performance Horses
good ride in front of a screaming crowd.
What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? I like competing and I like speed, whether it’s on horses, in cars, or running, so the country/ English division was the right choice for me. I appreciate a good, talented horse in any division, but I particularly like the brilliance of English. It’s a rush when you are having a
Who has influenced you most in the industry? I’ve been influenced by a number of people, such as Mike Miller, John White, and John Golladay. There are two others, however, that I feel have influenced me the most.
Kevin Price, my trainer, coach and, most importantly, my friend, has helped me achieve success as a rider that I never envisioned possible. I appreciate his Kevinisms: “Make it look like a ride in the park,” “Ride every step,” “Slow down,” and my favorite, “Good, Joe.” Then there’s Linda, my late wife. She was a dressage rider and frequently critiqued my riding; not in a harsh way, but I still didn’t always want to hear what she had to say even though I knew she was right. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? Two things: first, I had my first national championship ride last year in Canada at age 71; actually two … English and Park AAOTR. Second, I bred a great young country mare, Liliana JB, who is early in her show career. She is so big, beautiful and talented, I keep getting asked if I’ve bred her. I have not, but am investigating doing ET with her. Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? It would be nice if there was a clearer definition of appropriate
Ar abian Horse Times | 39 | English • 2017
motion for country horses that was uniformly applied by judges. For the last couple years at U.S. Nationals, I kept hearing that extreme motion was going to be penalized as directed by the head of the judges. A clear definition would make this less unsettling. Another thing missing in the amateur classes is guys. My non-horse buddies kid me about the reason they think I like showing horses is because the riders are mostly women. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? That’s an easy one. It’s ready when Kevin says so. I’m kind of an aggressive rider, but, chronologically, I’m also kind of an old dude. This could be a problem, but Kevin has a process he follows with every horse and he knows when it’s time to put me on. Then it’s a matter of how soon the horse and I become a good team. Another key for me is I like to be able to get on my horses, warm them up myself and then go in the ring. For me it’s a confidence thing. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? This is a difficult question, because one feature/part does not necessarily
make a great English horse. Good legs/feet, short cannons, short back, long/high set neck, flexible poll, ability and willingness to do their job, athleticism, soundness … all these are must haves. I also like my horses to be big and beautiful and am blessed to have two that have these qualities. But, if I have to point to one thing I value the most, it’s probably heart. A horse that loves me as much as I love it, gets a little buzz going into the show ring, tries it’s hardest to do what it’s been trained to do and is happy doing it. That’s my definition of a horse with a big heart. What kind of footing do you prefer? I don’t like to show on footing that was previously used for showing reiners. There is one regional show we attend every year where this is the case. I worry that it will create soundness issues in the legs of my country/English horses. Less sandy, not as deep, a little more packed, but not rock hard; that would be preferred.
peter cOnwAy AEPA President What was the “Ah-ha!” moment in creating the AEPA for the / English division? We all know that big dollar prizes add tremendously to the excitement and prestige of a class. Joel Kiesner told me of his concept to create a $100,000 class for the English division and I was immediately “all in.” I was part of a group of like-minded people that understood the impact this program could have and we were off and running. We knew we had to do something that was permanent and self-sustaining. Many people made financial contributions for the good of the breed while we built up a permanent fund through the stallion auction. It is amazing to see the best in people and what they will contribute because of their love for the Arabian horse. What exciting news can you share about the AEPA? The Half-Arabian Futurity has a new sponsor: Equine Athlete Veterinary Services. This is a perfect fit. They are onsite at every major Arabian show and I can
personally attest to the level of service and expertise they provide. We are proud to have them as the named sponsor for the AEPA Equine Athlete Half-Arabian Futurity at U.S. Nationals. Is there something you feel is missing within the English division? I would very much like to see the creation of a marketplace for English prospects similar to the Keeneland Auction for Thoroughbred horses. I think the transparency of that process would be good for the industry and for breeders. Unfortunately, attempts to make it work have failed. Perhaps someday we can get there. How do you know when a horse is ready for the AEPA Futurity? Interesting question and different trainers and owners may have different thoughts. At Conway, training begins early in their 3-year-old year and, of course, the AEPA class isn’t until they are late 4-yearolds. That allows us to bring them along slowly and allow them to mature physically and mentally. After that, it’s a question of talent, but remember that a well-trained country horse can make it into the top ten. Even 10th place pays $5,000 and it goes up from there. The individual pattern class provides a great opportunity to show off your breeding program and to market horses, so we try to bring a horse every year.
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JOel gAngi Gangi, Inc. / Boisvert Farm What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/English division? I didn’t have one of those! Who has influenced you most in the industry? My parents, Gil Chavez Jr., David Gardner and Gene LaCroix.
leAh gOllAdAy
Farm Affilliation: Cedar Ridge Arabians What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/English division? I have shown in this division since walk-trot! I think I always preferred English! How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? I think each horse tells us what it wants to do, and the indications that a horse is ready to move forward in training are probably similar in each division. I think balance is the biggest indicator. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? I appreciate a happy horse who likes the job, and one who is soft and bridles easily.
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KAtie hArVey
Farm Affilliation: The Brass Ring What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? I’ve always enjoyed the country/English division. It’s such a fluid discipline that has a high energy level, but also isn’t so technical that perfection is required every step of the way. I have a huge amount of respect for people who show in the western division successfully. It’s much harder than English, in my opinion. Believe it or not, reining and English carry a lot of skill requirements and techniques. Who has influenced you most in the industry? There have been many. I have learned from watching lots of folks and have observed both good and bad on every level, including riding, ring presentation, sportsmanship and peer support.
What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? I think I enjoy watching the Maturity classes the most. I love seeing the next group of young horses that are on the horizon. And it’s also nice to see a class where perfection isn’t the key winning determination, but rather quality and presentation. Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? Sometimes I feel that quality and expression are not rewarded as often as it should in the English division. I don’t feel that it’s 100% about who trots higher, but rather the overall picture and balance. But overall, our English/country horses are better than they have ever been and do their jobs beautifully. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? I love a horse that has as great expression. I also like a horse that is square and has a good solid hind end. And let’s see … a long upright neck, beautiful face, big eye, and a great mover. Isn’t that basically a dream horse? I’ll take ten of those, please!
chAse hArVill Chase Harvill Training Centre What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? As a 14 year old kid when I rode an English horse named Panama Red for the first time. I had only ridden western horses before him, but I knew right then I wanted to ride trotting horses, because I loved the power and animation. Who has influenced you most in the industry? Bob Battaglia. Not only did he teach me how to train a horse, but he also taught me to be a horseman as well. I think he always wanted me to be a horseman first and horse trainer second. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? SF Aftershoc! What an amazing stallion I get to manage and stand. Many of the greatest English breeders in the world are breeding to SF Aftershoc. It is so rewarding to help the future of the English arena with his great babies.
Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I think our English division is full of great horses and amazing trainers as well. Performances of these horses are at an all-time high, in my opinion. The only thing I would love to see changed is less cuts on our horses at the national level. Sometimes we are seeing the better rides in the cuts instead of the finals because the horses are not as fresh. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? When they are strong enough to support their collected frame and way of going. They will show tremendous balance and presence when they are ready to begin their career. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? While you cannot have a great English/country horse without good conformation and athleticism. I really appreciate a horse that is strong mentally and has a great work ethic. What kind of footing do you prefer? I love the footing in my arena at the farm! It is a great mix of bank sand, cement sand, shavings and top soil. The best footing at any facility in the country is at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. I am saving my change in a jar to buy that footing for my arena!
Ar abian Horse Times | 42 | English • 2017
BrAd hill, dVM
And
ty wAllis, dVM, Ms, dAcVs, pArtners
Equine Athletic Veterinary Services How are you involved in the English pleasure discipline? With over 30 years combined veterinary medical experience in the Arabian industry, Equine Athlete is heavily involved in helping trainers and owners manage all aspects of their horse’s veterinary care. Locations in Lansing, MI and Pilot Point, TX, allow both partners and their team of associate veterinarians to visit training stables across the country multiple times per year. During these visits, our team is able to evaluate clients’ horses, assess their health and condition prior to major events, as well as monitor the recovery and rehabilitation of horses that are injured. This gives us the opportunity to diagnose and make recommendations for the medical management of patients and provide on-site treatment for a variety of conditions.
the west side of the country to open the next branch of Equine Athlete Veterinary Services to provide greater access for our customers. We are committed to continual improvement and expansion in order to evolve with our customers’ needs. What is your favorite part about being connected to the English pleasure rider? Seeing a horse and rider come out of the ring after a great ride and being a part of their team is extremely rewarding for our entire staff. But what is most rewarding is helping riders accomplish their goals by ensuring their horse is fit, sound, and happy, allowing them to perform to their highest level.
Equine Athlete is the official show veterinarian for the U.S., Canadian and Youth National Championship Horse Shows, as well as numerous Regional and Class A shows. We have a doctor on-site for at least 25 Arabian horse shows across the country. This commitment to being on-site at shows ensures continuity of care and peace of mind for our patients and clients when they leave home. Board certified surgeon and co-owner, Dr. Ty Wallis, performs elective orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries at our facility in Pilot Point and an affiliated hospital in Michigan. In addition, Equine Athlete also provides pre-purchase evaluations and consultations across the country. Equine Athlete is excited to be sponsoring the AEPA Equine Athlete Half-Arabian Futurity for the first time this year! How long have you been involved in the English pleasure discipline? Since 2003. What draws you to English pleasure? Much like our appreciation for other disciplines, we understand the superb athleticism and level of soundness required for a successful exhibition of an English pleasure horse. It is very exciting and fulfilling to be a part of the team leading this initiative. How do you see yourself growing in this industry? Equine Athlete recently launched an online pharmacy, making ordering and receiving medications a more streamlined process for our customers. As our practice grows, we will also continue to open new locations around the country. In 2018, our associate Dr. Krystle O’Cull, will be relocating to
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VicKi huMphrey
Sofia Kavanaugh photo
Vicki Humphrey Training Center What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/English division? I was training all disciplines from western to dressage, and was helping Tom Donnelley’s wife school her western horse who was bridling high and not softening at the withers. We were outside and a storm came over blowing and raining. I galloped the mare to the barn and by the time I got there, she was snorting and blowing and trotting very high. I asked Tom if I could put an English saddle on her, which I did. And she never saw a western saddle again. She was hooked and I was hooked. Her name was FF Summer Storm. Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? Addressing the country division specifically, the class has suffered as we tried as riders and judges to find the right balance between a soft, quiet-mouthed easy moving country horse and maintain an exciting show horse as well. When the horses got too aggressive and unmannerly for our ideal, we corrected it by putting a huge emphasis on the walk and loose rein walk. While this succeeded in addressing
the issue, it has been so over emphasized, that it has taken the show out of the class. The long walks and loose rein walks are boring and any audience that still comes to shows is asleep. The walk, while extremely important, can be judged in five steps to determine if a horse is a willing, happy, quiet-mouthed walker. We also took out the “reverse and trot” in most cases in these classes. I think a country horse should be able to perform that maneuver quietly and softly and still add a little excitement to the show. I would like to see more “show” back in our shows, and leave the training techniques for the warm-up ring. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? They must first be capable of technically performing all the required gaits and transitions. When they have practiced these maneuvers until they are confident and sure footed, to show successfully, they must be able to do them with energy and enthusiasm, with the appearance of a great, happy and willing attitude and the conditioning to do it for an extended period of time What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? Attitude. What kind of footing do you prefer? Horses have an amazing ability to adjust to different footings. The most important element in an arena is that the footing be consistent.
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chAd Judy
Farm Affilliation: Empress Arabians
What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? I’m not really sure I can say I have an “Ah-ha!” moment. I have loved horses all my life and I just happened upon a path that lead me to where I am. I am extremely blessed that I get to train country/English horses, but there was never one moment that made me choose it.
Who has influenced you most in the industry? This is such a tricky question. I started out over 25 years ago, and in the beginning I worked for Ray LaCroix. Ray was probably my biggest influence then as he always believed in me. As time has gone on though, I have to definitely mention Brian Murch as an influence as well. He is just a great man all the way around, and I strive to be as honest as he is and to carry myself like he has. He’s a talented trainer, an honest friend and a dedicated father, husband and (I’m sure) son. His positive outlook is something I try to maintain myself, every day. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? I’m always trying to present a positive
product. A happy, sound, well trained horse for my clients is always the goal. And if spectators can enjoy what I do, that is just icing on the cake! Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I think the biggest thing missing are the numbers at our local and regional levels. The horses get fancier every year and I think that makes people shy away from showing country/English. We have gotten to the point where sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a country horse and an English horse. I feel like we as trainers and judges need to step up to help fix this issue. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? When a horse can do its job without taking a long amount of warm-up. Conditioning is a big part of all horses being ready to show, in my book. It helps them do their job quicker, easier and happier. This division is all about the horse being a pleasure to show, so being happy is a big part of that. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? This is the easiest answer … a horse’s mind and heart. A good mind will make a trainable horse and a good heart will make them happy doing their job. What kind of footing do you prefer? At the farm we have a mix of fine grain sand, non-woven textile and cushioning additives. It is great!
JOel Kiesner Kiesner Training
What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? I found that one needed to have curly hair to do halter, so that was out. And growing up in Minnesota through modest means, I found we couldn’t afford the fancy silver saddles, so that left English! Oh, and heaps of good luck!
Who has influenced you most in the industry? My father, Dick Kiesner, and Gene and Ray LaCroix. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? The horses are just getting better. Every year. We are also breeding better, both purebred and Half-Arabians, and seeing new crops every year is very exciting.
Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I think that we let too many people question what we do and don’t believe in that what we are doing is awesome! Self-examination is always good, but if you let people around you tell you what they think is right, it doesn’t offer stability to the industry that tradition and strongly held beliefs offers. What we have going is truly great. Our care and professionalism has never looked so good. Don’t stand in fear, but in the belief that we are doing a great job. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? When they know their job and are comfortable and strong enough to do it. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? I’ve ridden all kinds; those with good back ends, some only front. I’ve ridden those with both, but if they have a bad neck, it makes everything worse and they aren’t any fun to ride. What kind of footing do you prefer? Not too deep or hard, and moves under the horse’s foot.
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steVe lAzzArini BL Ranch What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/English division? Was it watching Gene LaCroix riding MHR Nobility? Or was it the late nights at a horse show watching the great talented trainers he trained and continues to work with, working horses for that next class. Or was it listening to Ray LaCroix telling me, “you need to buy this horse (Rumina Afire) because she will wear the ‘Roses’” ...Whichever it is, gratefully, I love being involved with the country/ English division and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Who has influenced you most in the industry? Wow, that is a tough question, as I’ve had several incredible people in this industry influence me: Gene and Ray LaCroix, Irwin Schimmel, Tim and Marty Shea, Joel Kiesner, Jimmy Stachowski, Jenn Trickey, and I can go on and on about the incredible people in my horse life. The one that sticks out the most would be my late wife, Barbara, and who looks down on myself, our breeding program, babies and, of course, Rumina Afire (which was her horse). Thank you for being that little bird in the barn that influences us to keep doing our part to breed better than before! What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? That we have been working with new,
young breeders wanting to start a breeding program. We have sold a few Rumina embryos to them to start out as there foundation in this new venture, to carry on what we at BL Ranch have going and all the great breeders before me. Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? Square trotting, cadenced, bridled and happy horses in the show ring. It should be like two ballroom dancers performing in harmony and timing. I, unfortunately, see only a handful in each class, which really bothers me. It makes me want to breed even better horses, so we can see that greatness like in the past. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? The horse will let you know (so does “god”, whoever your trainer is). Just trying a little humor in an all-important question like this. When that horse in my opinion is balanced, bridled, cadenced and ready to go, you will see that pretty picture under saddle. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? You need the whole package: hip, length of leg, depth of shoulder, neck and throw in a little pretty. So, I would say all of those traits plus trainability are very important to be the best possible in the country/ English division. What kind of footing do you prefer? D.G. mixed in with fiber.
MiKe Miller
Farm Affilliation: Springwater Farms Arabians Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/ English division? We still struggle with a clear delineation between the country and English divisions. Both horses are up-headed with vertical motion, but it is all about degree of motion, impulsion and carriage. We have a number of beautiful, up-headed horses with moderate motion that are true country horses that don’t get rewarded because they don’t have “enough motion”. There is a small percentage of horses in our breed that are physically and mentally able to be great English horses. If it takes that same individual to compete in the country division, we have greatly limited our pool
of prospects. In the same vein, sometimes the pressure for motion and impulsion in the English pleasure division has advanced to the point that I think we have lost the “pleasure”. Often times, the park class is almost nonexistent. If we could stick a little more closely to our class specs, we could have three distinct English divisions again: country, English and park. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? Attitude. They have to want to do their job and like it. I will take a horse that wants to work and enjoys its job over a superior athlete with a poor attitude any day. What kind of footing do you prefer? A sandy base and wood product or fiber mixed in.
Ar abian Horse Times | 46 | English • 2017
ericA MilligAn Milligan Training
horse—he does an amazing job.
What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/English division? I would have to say there is no feeling quite like riding an English horse. It’s simply an amazing adrenaline rush.
Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I feel our breeders, owners and trainers can excel to whatever level the English division will go.
Who had influenced you most in the industry? I would have to say I love being able to watch an English class and be able to pick out a Joel Kiesner trained
What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? Heart, heart, heart … they have to want it as much as you do.
How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? When the horse starts to carry itself naturally and drives square off all fours.
What kind of footing do you prefer? It is such an important factor. I use sand, always keeping it watered and worked; keeping it firm with lots of give.
What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? I’m training my first driving horse.
cArMelle rOOKer Rooker Training Stable What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? When I was 14 years old, my 4H group took a field trip to U.S. Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. It was the first time I had ever seen English pleasure horses of that caliber. I remember watching Gene LaCroix trot up and down Freedom Hall and thinking that is exactly what I wanted to do someday. Who has influenced you most in the industry? My husband, Shawn Rooker. He pushes me to be better every day and teaches me so much. We make a great team.
Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? Quantity of horses. There just aren’t enough quality English pleasure horses available to fulfill the popular demand at competitive price points. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? Young horses tell you when they are ready to begin their show career. Some are stronger and come along quicker, while others need more time to mature and develop. They are ready when they are mentally and physically prepared to do their job. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? When the gate opens and an English horses raises its neck, puts its ears up, and heads confidently into the show ring, excited to be there and ready to take you to the winners circle. What kind of footing do you prefer? Shavings.
What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? We have such a great group of horses and clients, that going to work every day doesn’t feel like work at all.
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tiM sheA Shea Stables Who has influenced you most in the industry? Originally, Bob Hart Sr. and Bill Bohl, who I worked for. Later, Gene and Ray LeCroix, and Sheila Varian. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? The 4-year-old stallion, Inception, bred and owned by Maroon Fire Arabians. He is in training with Joel Kiesner, getting ready for the $100,000 Futurity class in Tulsa. Inception is several generations of Maroon Fire breeding, sired by IXL Noble Express and out of Bonita Afire, by Afire Bey V whose dam was Bacharah, by Barbary. Maroon Fire and Shea Stables will be breeding a significant number of mares to him this year as well as standing him to the public.
divisions. I would like to see the divisions evened out with more representation in each. English horses could be trained for park. I also would like to see the driving divisions get stronger again. For the horses that can be trained to drive, it can be a big benefit to their overall training program. For exhibitors that are not riders, it is really a fun way to show a horse. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? I think for a horse to develop correctly, it takes years. In our instant gratification society, people expect 3 & 4 year old horses to do what 7 & 8 year olds can do and that is unrealistic. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? The excitement factor is what I call “All The Ups” … legs up, head up, tail up, eyes up, ears up. It is a beautiful picture and an exciting ride when a horse is under saddle at his proudest. What kind of footing do you prefer? Generally a sand and shavings mix.
Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I think a certain percentage of horses can be in different
JAcque thOMpsOn Smokey Mountain Park Arabians What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? When a friend of mine wanted to demonstrate “how to be a park horse rider” on my leased Arabian gelding, who had previously been used as a barrel horse. As soon as my friend landed in the saddle, she and my horse headed down the rail in a long, low, smooth “floating trot.” After a couple of trips around the ring, however, I was astonished to see my friend transform my gelding’s floating trot into a terrifically light, super airy, super collected, elevated in front, hindquarters down, driving park trot. It was my first exposure to saddle seat and I was 100% hooked. Who has influenced you most in the industry? There are many. But to name a few: Jim Fisher, Joel Kiesner, Vicki Humphrey, and breeders Marty and Tim Shea, along with Barbra Chur.
What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? Our stallions are producing amazing foals, a number of which have shown and won at U.S. Nationals. We have many babies and youngsters at the farm who show every sign that they will follow in their older siblings’ hoofsteps. I’m also extremely excited about our training program. We are very focused on creating horses that are fun and safe for amateurs, particularly those riders for whom a safe, solid, consistent horse is paramount. We are focusing heavily in 2017 on bringing new people into the sport. We have updated and grown our website, and created a database of our horses. We will be on expanding our outreach to potential newcomers in our region. We feel strongly that the industry needs to do more and better marketing in order to start a conversation with those who love horses, but who are not already involved with Arabians. It is our intention to blaze new trails in this area, and then to share our results with others so that the Arabian industry, as a whole, can benefit and grow. Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? My clientele is largely high-end professionals and their clients.
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They consistently tell me that the only horses they are interested are the top 2-5% of what the industry can produce. Industry-wide, that means saddle seat-centered breeders end up being unable to command a good price for 95-98% of the horses they breed What is causing this lack of demand for the 95 to 98% of English bred horses? Nobody knows for sure, and, most likely, there is more than one reason for it. We do know this, however: the number of monthly Google searches in the U.S.A. for the term “horseback riding” is currently around 73,500. We also know that monthly Google searches for the term “horseback riding near me” is around 49,500. Then there is the monthly U.S. search volume for “Arabian horse,” which is currently at 33,000, while U.S. Google searches for the term “Arabian horse for sale” is around 1,600. These search results indicate to me that there are a lot of people who are interested in riding, and in Arabian horses. The big question is, what are we doing to reach them so we can bring them into our industry? Then, if we can get them into our industry, we need to determine which are interested in participating in shows. Then, finally, for those who are interested in showing, we need to figure out on what level they can afford to participate. One of the things that I feel is an impediment to getting many to participate in the English divisions at shows is the shoeing of our English horses. I’ll take a minute here to expound upon this, as it is something that is relatively easy for the industry to control, so it is something that can be easily and quickly addressed. As the breeder and owner of numerous national winners, I have some experience about what it takes to succeed in the English divisions. One of the most basic things that all English horses need are longer hooves with weighted, padded shoes. While this is fine for me, this is a problem for a lot of potential English horse competitors, as these “shoeing packages” are both very expensive and, often, difficult to acquire.
the amateurs for income. The more amateurs we have, the more income those amateurs can generate in the marketplace for both breeders and trainers. These classic classes could help establish a bottom to our horse market. Anyone who watches investment stocks knows, that markets for any commodity must find a bottom price in order to rebound. We need to rebound, and to do so as soon as possible. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? When they are old enough and strong enough to do their job efficiently, without injury and in a mentally balanced state. For most Arabians, that is likely to be no earlier than 4 years old. Personally, I like show horses that are older rather than younger. That is most likely because my first Arabian was 12 years old before I began showing him. He had not been worn out by being used as a show horse at an early age. He was simply stronger than the younger horses against which he competed. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? I think the Country/English pleasure division is one of the showiest of our riding divisions and make in my mind, a very strong impression on spectators in the stands. What kind of footing do you prefer? Something that has a solid base, such as clay, with a few inches of something softer on the top, such as stone dust or masonry sand. Footing is kind of like the Goldilocks and the Three Bears. You don’t want something that’s too hard, nor something that’s too soft.
Even if one can afford to keep a horse shod in this way, to have access to a farrier who can shoe a horse can be difficult. Generally, to have access to a farrier who can create these show packages, one needs to keep their horse at a large show barn, since most show horse farriers will not travel to small barns. Now, I’m not saying that we should do away with the classes that require this sort of shoeing. However, I do feel that we could add some, what I like to call “classic,” English pleasure classes to our shows. These classic classes would not permit heavily weighted, padded shoes, and so would allow those who do not have access to, or do not like, weighted shoes, to be competitive. I know that this idea is designed to make our sport more appealing and accessible to more amateurs. I also imagine that these are scary words to many professionals, who may fear an already amateur-leaning market. However, I believe there is much to be gained by the market being further pulled in that direction. After all, professionals are reliant on Ar abian Horse Times | 49 | English • 2017
MAry trOwBridge
Trowbridge’s Ltd.
What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? When I realized that I could make a horse “go” better than I could make it “whoa”! Who has influenced you most in the industry? Bill Bohl, Tim Shea, Bob Hart Jr. and Bob Hart Sr. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? After over four decades of riding and showing English horses, I still have not perfected the art, and am enjoying learning more about it each year. It’s a heady drug, with an adrenaline rush possible for every stride; a division that includes elegance, beauty, speed and athletic ability at all times—like most anything that involves Arabian horses. Truly, a gift. Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I sure wish that as a community we could find it within
ourselves to revisit the criteria surrounding the country division so that there was a greater, more obvious difference between country, English and park. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? By listening to and evaluating the horse. One of my greatest disappointments in our industry today is that we are asking more from young horses than we should be, whether we be judges, owners or exhibitors, at the expense of their long-term health and soundness. Especially today, when we are no longer breeding the number of horses that we need to fill the demand, as a group we should be protecting the long-term serviceability of these great horses, not squandering it in their 3-, 4- and 5-year-old years. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? Their heart, drive and ambition. What kind of footing do you prefer? Personally, a firmer footing. I hate soft, deep footing. A clay/sand mix with some organic material in it, not deeper than 3-4 inches, is ideal for most of our horses. And, of course, any of the premier footings that have been recognized as advantageous by all the other high performance breeds, and necessary to THEIR long term soundness, is ideal.
cAthy Vescey
Farm Affilliation: Vicki Humphrey Training Center and a member of “Green Team” at Trowbridge’s What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? I didn’t have an ah-ha “moment”, but an ah-ha “horse”—Mon Bandaid! He and I found our path together and it has just evolved from there. Who has influenced you most in the industry? All of the people I idolized and grew up watching ride such amazing horses. Obviously, Vicki, Jimmy and Peter, mainly because I rode with all of them and they have been so giving of their talent and so patient in their teaching and explanations. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? My win in the AOTR Park for the 7th time with Mandalay Bay this year.
Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I think the age divisions could be adjusted, and with the many choices of classes these horses now have at Nationals, maybe it is time to consider making one of those classes into an ATR class so select riders aren’t the only ones with the option of riding a horse they aren’t required to own. On a non-related topic, I would love to see Formal Driving brought back. How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? When all of the basics are rock solid and the expectations are made clear to the horse so there is no frustration and they are not just showing on adrenaline and nervous energy. They can all “show and blow” if they are geared up and people whistle like crazy, but are they trained in all of the basics so they can be productive show horses for a long time to come and do their job in every gait with consistency and confidence? To show in a high energy, fast paced class, horses must be confident and use their buzz in a productive manner and they need to learn to love the buzz.
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What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? Attitude and then cadence and balance. What kind of footing do you prefer? Given a choice, every day of my life I would ride on the footing that they use at the Central Park Show. I have never ridden on anything that incredible! I also liked the footing in Ford Truck arena as long as it is not too deep. I wish all the areas that
led up to Ford Truck had the same footing, from the warm-up ring to the show ring. Hard packed footing is the kiss of death for me as is soft deep footing. I like horses that have something that they can use to push off of so they can drive forward, rather than pull themselves through soft, deep footing.
cAthy Vincent Adandy Farm What was your “Ah-ha!” moment that had you choosing the Country/ English division? There was no country when I first started. But seeing AH Aleksandra win the national championship with Joanne Fox, I thought she was so beautiful and amazing, depicting perfection for what they were asking in a country horse. Later, John and Gloria Scott bought the mare from another owner and that’s how I ended up showing her. AH Aleksandra blessed me with some national championships too, later in Canada and a reserve at U.S.
How do you know when a horse is ready for the Country/English division? Well, we don’t push. We had one since the age of 3, but we couldn’t show him when he turned 4; he wasn’t ready. Time, patience, diligence. You can’t push or press; the horses tell you when they are ready to go and I listen to them every day. What feature/part of a Country/English horse do you value most? Form to function; athletic. You can’t drag a low headed horse. They have to be built to do the job. They have to be able to engage from their rear end first, rear end down, front end up; they have to be very attractive and high quality. What kind of footing do you prefer? Tan bark shavings, a tiny bit of sand, and rubber (which is ground up Nike shoes) all mixed together. It is a beautiful base.
Who has influenced you most in the industry? My mother and father, who taught me to follow my dream; Stanley White Sr. was the best teacher; Miss Kitty was the best horse show mom in the world; and Bob Hart Sr. took me under his wing, started me, and helped me step forward and up with the English horse. He taught me the importance of full bridling horses and how to better my English pleasure horse. What exciting news can you share about your involvement within the Country/English division? We have a Half-Arabian and a purebred that are great horses who will be entering the ring soon, and we have a great group of young English/country horses also coming up. Is there something you feel is missing within the Country/English division? I think it’s absolutely spectacular. The divisions are separated beautifully, and judges are doing great. We have bettered ourselves in training, judging, performing and breeding. It’s a positive, amazing thing to watch them. It’s as good as it gets right now. We are breeding predominantly for English horses and that’s what we’ve needed, to really clean up our breed and we have—it’s beautiful.
Sofia Kavanaugh photo Ar abian Horse Times | 51 | English • 2017
2016 ders nAtiOnAl english leAders
Includes U.S., Canadian and Youth National English Champion and Reserve wins. AEPA Saddle Seat Futurity, English Pleasure, Country English, and Park Horse classes. Open and amateur/junior classes only
Overall arabian & Half-arabian leading HOrses rses
by number of wins
1. Titleist BF 2. Extraordin Heir Toi Sensation CRF 3. Bells And Whistles Big And Rich SCA 4. Supreme Sensation SMP 5. Brass Star Cajun Princeof Monaco CRF Shinning Encore D M Fireproof DA Heatstroke Davinci Reflection WA Emperors Fire GSF Alejandro RA Alliza REA My Allience RGT The Boss ROL Firecracker SA Gisele Sal Mineo BF Tribbiani
1 championship, hampionship, 3 reserves 3 championships 3 championships 2 championships, hampionships, 1 reserve 2 championships, hampionships, 1 reserve 3 reserves 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships
Owner Boisvert Farms LLC Boisv Shamrock Farms LLC Shamr KGB Texas Marketing K Doug or Kristi Stewart Joseph Burich Alpert Arabians LLC Simon or Jane P Pate Wendy or Kaitlyn Ruonavaara W Lawrence Jerome The Silbernagel Family Remington Remingt on Monroe Equine LLC Kendyl P Peters Arabians, Inc. Starline Arabians LLC St Bill Castro Malou and St Steven Perricone Gregg and Nancy Shafer Oak H Haven South Arabians LLC Sarah Beth Womble Starline Arabians LLC St Boisvert Arabians LLC Christina and Frances Nardi
1 championship, 3 reserves 3 championships 2 championships, 1 reserve 3 reserves 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships
Owner Boisvert Farms LLC Shamrock Farms LLC Joseph Burich Alpert Arabians LLC Simon or Jane Pate Lawrence Jerome Remington Monroe Equine LLC Sarah Beth Womble Starline Arabians LLC Christina and Frances Nardi
arabian leading HOrses
by number of wins
1. Titleist BF 2. Extraordin Heir 3. Big And Rich SCA 4. Supreme Sensation SMP 5. Brass Star CRF Shinning Encore DA Heatstroke ROL Firecracker SA Gisele Tribbiani
Half-arabian leading HOrses by number of wins
1. Toi Sensation CRF 2. Bells And Whistles 3. Cajun Princeof Monaco D M Fireproof Davinci Reflection WA Emperors Fire GSF Alejandro RA Alliza REA My Allience RGT The Boss Sal Mineo BF
3 championships 2 championships, 1 reserve 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships Ar abian Horse Times | 52 | English • 2017
Owner KGB Texas Marketing Doug or Kristi Stewart Wendy or Kaitlyn Ruonavaara The Silbernagel Family Kendyl Peters Arabians, Inc. Starline Arabians LLC Bill Castro Malou and Steven Perricone Gregg and Nancy Shafer Oak Haven South Arabians LLC Boisvert Arabians LLC
arabian Overall leading sires by number of winning get
1. Afire Bey V 2. Afires Heir 3. Baske Afire 4. IXL Noble Express Vegaz 5. Black Daniels
17 15 12 6 6 5
arabian leading sires
by number of Arabian winning get
1. Afires Heir 2. Afire Bey V 3. XL Noble Express Vegaz 4. Apollopalooza
by number of wins 1. Afire Bey V 2. Afires Heir Baske Afire 3. IXL Noble Express 4. Matoi 5. Allience Black Daniels Nobilistic BF Vegaz
25 19 19 8 7 6 6 6 6
by number of Arabian wins 13 10 5 5 3
1. Afire Bey V 2. Afires Heir 3. IXL Noble Express 4. Vegaz 5. Nobilistic BF
by number of Half-Arabian winning get
by number of Half-Arabian wins
1. Baske Afire 2. Afire Bey V 3. Allience 4. Black Daniels Mamage
1. Baske Afire 2. Afire Bey V 3. Allience 4. Mamage Matoi
10 7 4 3 3
Overall leading Open Trainers (Top Ten included) by points
1. Joel Kiesner 2. Jason Krohn 3. James Stachowski 4. Dalton Budd 5. Joel Gangi Jonathan Ramsay 6. Jessica Clinton Gabe DeSoto 7. Leah Beth Golladay 8. Gordon Potts
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86 80 62 61 56 56 43 43 38 33
17 16 7 5 4
17 8 6 5 5
Overall leading Owners by number of horses
1. Boisvert Farms LLC 2. Starline Arabians LLC 3. Conway Arabians, Inc. Kirby Arabians LLC Remington Monroe Equine LLC
arabian leading Owners
Half-arabian leading Owners
by number of horses
1. Kirby Arabians LLC 2. Candace Avery Conway Arabians, Inc. Simon or Jane Pate Remington Monroe Equine LLC Shamrock Farms LLC Starline Arabians LLC Whispers Acres, Inc.
by number of horses
3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Overall leading breeders
1. Boisvert Farms LLC 2. Starline Arabians LLC
4 2
arabian leading breeders by number of horses
by number of horses
1. Maroon Fire Arabians, Inc. 2. Cedar Ridge Farm Prestige Farms LLC 3. Nick and Juliet Carden 4. Boisvert Farms LLC California State Polytechnic Univ. Vicki Humphrey Lindsay Rinehart Marty Shea
5 4 3 3 3
8 7 7 6 4 4 4 4 4
1. Maroon Fire Arabians, Inc. 2. Prestige Farms LLC 3. Cedar Ridge Farm Nick and Juliet Carden 4. California State Polytechnic Univ. 5. R O Lervick Arabians Lindsay Rinehart
8 6 5 5 4 3 3
Half-arabian leading breeders by number of horses
1. Vicki Humphrey 2. Boisvert Farms LLC Marty Shea Shawn Stachowski 3. Cedar Ridge Farm Laura Gault and Joseph Faircloth Heather Johnson-Tracey Steve and Diana Lazzarini Live Oak Arabians, Inc.
Sofia Kavanaugh photo Ar abian Horse Times | 54 | English • 2017
4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2
Saddle Seat Equitation Picture Perfect
S
addle Seat Equitation is unique in the show ring: it is the only class in which the rider, rather than the horse, is judged. Yes, it can be argued that if the horse doesn’t look good and doesn’t do its job, the rider won’t impress the judges, and that’s true. And that the overall picture of horse and rider, in their proportion to each other and with the coordination of the rider’s habit to the color of the horse, is important. Sure. But in the end, no one else in the show ring faces the challenge an “eq” rider does. An equitation star has to not only achieve results with his or her horse, but must be in as-close-toperfect form as possible. In contrast, an English rider can be all over the saddle, as long as the horse is trotting like a daddy-long-legs spider. Not to mention, in the other divisions, the classes come in together most of the time; saddle seat equitation riders do too, for the rail work part of the competition—but then they are on their own, rather like in dressage, in the spotlight with their horses, all eyes on them. One mistake and everyone watching sees it (and often gasps). Concentration is a must and communication with the horse is absolutely essential. In a class of a dozen entries, a minor mistake may go undetected; in an interlude of one, it doesn’t. It may be easy for spectators to assume that the beautiful art of equitation is all about form, but that is missing the point of this demanding discipline. Winning here takes practice, physical and mental training, and focus, and that’s just for the rider; the horse has likewise requirements, and there is never a guarantee that all parties will be on the same page on the same day. To learn more about what it takes to succeed, AHT went to some of the top riders in the Equitation ring today.
Ar abian Horse Times | 55 | English • 2017
Hadley Ames
Instructors: Leah Golladay and Stephanie Davisson Number of years competing: 3 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? In the warmup, I try to focus more on my form than I normally do. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? 2-3 times per week. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? I do competitive all-star cheer; it really helps with my body placement and focus. Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? I think it’s important to not overthink it. I don’t have a lot of equitation experience, so I just try to go out there and improve each time. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? They are very good at setting the expectations and remaining positive with my challenges and disappointments. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? No, I’m not superstitious, but it’s important to know that my family is there watching and supporting me.
Emma Kate Elgan
weights and do exercises which focus on my core. I walk or do other forms of cardio.
Instructor: Lisa Jo White
Number of years competing: 8 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? I think there’s a natural tendency for people to think the classes are different, so the preparation must be different, however, for me, I don’t prepare differently. A pretty picture of horse and rider leaves an impression, regardless of what the class is. Yes, for equitation there are different requirements and expectations and I will have a heightened focus on my position, legs, hands, etc., but I am still expected to show my horse in a way that assures he looks his best. So even for pleasure classes, I try to show like I’m in an equitation class. This also helps me from developing bad habits that might crop up if I let my guard down in pleasure. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? Never as much as I would like! It’s gotten harder now that I’m with Lisa Jo White in Illinois, and I live in Michigan, but I try to get there at least two weekends a month during winter and spring, and then during the summers, Lisa is great and lets me go and stay with her several days every other week. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? I play volleyball and softball which helps with staying in shape, but also helps with mental sharpness. Then I like to lift
Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? I have a “process” that I follow before my equitation classes that starts when I arrive at the show and get my number. My mom has this thing about numbers and what makes a good number or a bad number. Interestingly enough, according to her, I’ve never gotten a “bad” number! Then Lisa and the rest of her riders will map out the plan for who will practice at what time. Having a plan is important to give me focus. If there’s a pattern involved, I get it right away and study it and learn it, but I don’t pick my “points” until on my horse and with Lisa, because I’m less likely to get confused if we have to change them. Then I just try to enjoy my team and have fun until my class. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? I’ve been incredibly lucky with my equitation instructors. Mike and Terri Budd started me down my equitation journey and they were really good to work with, because they were honest (sometimes brutally!), but then always came back with something that they liked that I had done. They gave me a great foundation and also provided me the opportunity to own and show Run Forest Run, who is the absolute best equitation horse anyone could have. Lisa Jo White helps me understand the why of what I’m doing to improve; it’s constructive. She explains how it’s impacting the ride, the horse, and the picture that makes it easier to grasp. She is an absolute professional and fierce competitor, but is also fun and easy to talk to. I’ve learned a ton since I’ve been with her and am very grateful and proud to say she’s my instructor. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? I do. I have a nameplate bracelet of a horse I owned that I loved, but that was a huge challenge for me because he was so naughty. I wear it as a reminder that I can overcome anything with hard work and a little “kick butt” attitude!
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Alexa Gilbert
Instructors: Larry & Jody Hoffmann / Diane Underwood Number of years competing: 4 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? I prepare for them pretty much the same, except I memorize my pattern and my mental check list for equitation has a few more items on it. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? 3-5 days a week during the school year and almost every day in the summer. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? Core exercises and the elliptical machine. Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? I go through a mental check list that my trainers and I put together. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? Patience. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? Yes, I wear a pendant that says, “Protect this rider and the horse she rode in on.”
Ella Hampton
Instructors: Dalton and Kellie Budd Number of years competing: 5 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? For saddle seat, I walk the pattern a few times. Before I show, I listen to music and try and relax. For pleasure, I try to go out and focus on enjoying the ride. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? Three to four times a week. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? I work on core strength exercises. I also run and work on upper body strength. Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? I try and remind myself to do the best I can, regardless of placing. During a class, I focus on one thing at a time. I focus on the real work first, then I focus on the pattern. By breaking it up into steps, I don’t get overwhelmed. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? Kellie is always encouraging and always trying to help me feel confident. She helps me work through what I might struggle with. She doesn’t give up and finds new ways to approach a challenge. Dalton always makes sure my horse is prepared and I feel comfortable before I compete. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? Yes, I have a bracelet with my horses name on it. My friend, Kenzie, and I always wear matching necklaces when we ride.
Ar abian Horse Times | 57 | English • 2017
Jacquelyn King
Instructor: Jason Krohn
Number of years competing: 8 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? For an equitation class, I start by studying the pattern in advance and walking it in the arena. Due to the fact that my horse, JSN Manhattan, is still new to equitation, Jason will sometimes let me practice the pattern on him before we show. There are many things that go into preparing for an equitation class, but the most important aspect to remember is your mental focus. Being prepared mentally, in my opinion, is one of the biggest keys to success. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? I go to the barn 3-4 times a week. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? Stretching. Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? By reminding myself to take a deep breath and remember that I know how to handle any situation. I also listen to what my instructors are telling me and I trust my horse. Equitation is not about being perfect, it is about horsemanship. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? I have had the ability to work with several incredible instructors over the years, including Sarah Barclay, Todd Miles, Lillian Shively, Lisa Jo White, and Jason Krohn. I am very thankful for them and all they have taught me. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? “Leo” (CH-EQ Imagine My Surprise who I showed in Saddlebred equitation in 2016) is still etched onto the bottoms of my stirrups, so I feel like he is with me whenever I am competing and riding.
Isabella Perricone
Instructor: Christy Higman Clements Number of years competing: 8 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? For equitation, I practice my pattern and prepare mentally on how I want to look and ride. For pleasure, I focus on riding my horse to the best of my abilities. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? Twice a week. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? I box and spin. Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? I envision how I want to look and ride. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? Christy’s confidence in my ability to achieve what I set out to do. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? My bracelet from my former horse Fabulaire’s tail.
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Valentina Perricone
Instructor: Christy Higman Clements Number of years competing: 6 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? In equitation, I mentally plan how I want to ride the class. In pleasure, I focus on my horse and how it should look. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? Twice a week. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? Boxing and strength training. Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? I think about my ride before, and how I want to be and look. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? Christy is patient! Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? My horse, Blondie, never lets me down.
Sydney Rice
Instructors: Vicki Humphrey and Jessica Clinton Number of years competing: 5 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? I like to focus before I go into any class. I listen to music and isolate myself for a couple minutes just to get into the zone. I have a certain playlist filled with songs that get me pumped! Before equitation, I practice the pattern over and over in my head and try to visualize doing it in the actual arena. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? Since my horse is in training at Vicki’s in Georgia and I live in Colorado, I am not able to ride him as much as I would like. I usually make a trip twice a month. However, to stay in shape and legged up, I ride Saddlebreds locally with Longview Stables. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? I wake up and go to the gym every day. I do a lot of cardio and core workouts. The best workout I do that helps with equitation is the thigh master. Riding without stirrups becomes a lot easier! Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? I used to get really nervous before equitation. I would overthink a lot and mess up because of it. I eventually taught myself to calm down by spending time thinking about everything that could go right, rather than what could go wrong. Listening to music also helps because I picked songs with empowering lyrics to go in my playlist. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? Vicki and Jess are picky, but not in a bad way. They adjusted the smallest of things in my body that made me a very balanced rider. I did not realize that such a small difference could change the way I sit in the saddle. They are so educated in equitation, that they are able to notice the minuscule things that can polish off a rider. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? Every time I compete in saddle seat equitation, I wear my ‘S’ lapel pin. I used to switch it up for every class, but I always seemed to compete better when I wore that pin. After I had a really good show and nailed my patterns, I continued to wear that pin in every equitation class!
Ar abian Horse Times | 59 | English • 2017
Elaina Roeder
Instructors: Vicki Humphrey, Jessica Clinton, Gabe DeSoto Number of years competing: 12 How do you prepare for a Saddle Seat vs. Pleasure class? For me, preparation for a saddle seat class is much more mental. I will walk through a pattern several times on my own and spend much more time alone, visualizing how my horse and I will execute each gait. How many times a week do you go to the barn and practice? I spend approximately one week a month at our barn training and ride at least once a week at home. What other forms of exercise do you do that assist you with your equitation skills? I strongly believe that strength and conditioning are important to an equation rider. I participate in track meets throughout the year and lift weights and run at least once a day. Equitation can become mentally challenging; how do you prepare yourself? For equitation, I will spend time by myself visualizing each element required in the pattern. I also compete in other athletic events outside of equitation, so I am comfortable in competitive situations. Instructors are critical; what makes yours special? Vicki, Gabe and Jess are not only incredibly gifted riders, but they know equitation and competition. We all work hard, but we have a lot of fun. I am so fortunate to have them in my life and truly consider them family. Do you have a good luck charm that is always with you when you compete? Every time I think I have found one, I am surprised once again.
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JACQUELYN KING JSN MANHATTAN (BASKE AFIRE X DRIVE ME CRAZY)
Scottsdale Top Ten Saddle Seat Equitation 15-18
O w n e d by : J a cq u e l y n K i n g | Ty l e r, Te x as Tr a i n e d by : OA K H AV E N A R A B I A N S | L i n d a l e, Te x as | w w w.O a k H ave n A r a b i a ns . co m Ar abian Horse Times | 61 | English • 2017
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Ar abian Horse Times | 64 | English • 2017
It’s been a wonderful ride! IN THEIR FINAL JUNIOR COMPETITION YEAR …
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Ar abian Horse Times | 66 | English • 2017
Dream It. Live It. Ride It. dg Leading the Equitation divison at 2016 Youth Nationals. 6 National Championships in two age divisions. Looking forward to 2017!
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Ar abian Horse Times | 67 | English • 2017
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A National Treasure: The Canda Boys Of Washington Part 2, Joey
by Mary Kirkman
Joey with SH Centrefold (DWD Tabasco x SH Cover Girl), winner of seven national championships and two reserves in Mounted Native Costume.
J
oey. Who doesn’t know Joey Canda, one of the most successful Arabian trainers to come out of the Pacific Northwest in the last 40 years? Last month we got better acquainted with his older brother, Gerry, whose activities in Arabian horses first ignited Joey’s interest when they were children. While Gerry established a reputation as a savvy breeder, Joey acquired training clients (the old-fashioned way: people recognized his talent and asked him to show their horses), and launched a career that has notched countless national titles since his first in 1975. He’s the first to express his gratitude; it’s been a great life, he says. He’s had fine horses, dear clients, and collected enough entertaining stories to fill a book. And these days, he has a perspective on what he’s achieved, which makes it all the sweeter.
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Becoming A HorsemAn
The Joey and Gerry Canda story, while not unique, is unusual. Their Philippine-born father, Victor Canda, earned citizenship by serving in the U.S. military during World War II, while their mother, Mary Jane, was of Finnish/Austrian extraction and grew up in Butte, Mont. They made a home for their family, three boys and a girl, in Seattle. As important as their heritage was the attention-to-detail responsibility that characterized their lives. There was never much money when the children were growing up, but that didn’t stop Victor and Mary Jane’s support of their sons’ interest in horses. Nor was it any excuse for slacking. “My dad was meticulous about his yard,” Joey recalls as an example. “In those days, we didn’t have blowers or electric edgers. When it was yard day, we edged the side block with scissors. Oftentimes after raking the lawn, we swept it.” That wasn’t all, he laughs. “In 4-H, there weren’t horse clippers that we knew of. My dad roached our horse’s mane with the same pair of scissors he cut our hair with, and he did a beautiful job. “My parents were not dictators,” he adds. “It was a natural work ethic they taught us. Looking back, it was that for them to provide for us, there was one way to do it and that was to work. And we were taught to do whatever you did the best you could do.” That childhood lesson has remained with him. For years, he enjoyed making his own native costumes (he once entertained the idea of becoming a tailor), and to this day, he likes to do his own show clipping. Six years younger than Gerry, Joey followed his brother into horses, as a teenager working for a local owner, Gloria Sferra, who was in Thoroughbreds and hunter jumpers, and for Arabian breeder Clara Olsson. Olsson bred the brothers’ first national top ten, Pride Of Fairwood (1975 U.S. National Top Ten in Native Costume, owned by Gerry and trained and shown by Joey).
Canda’s background includes more than his specialty English. With the western horse Kohanek in the 1980s. Growing up, Joey had to educate himself in the training of Arabians. “I watched guys like Gene LaCroix (Lasma), Bruce Howard, Don DeLongpré, and Mo Morris, and went home and emulated them,” he says. “They all had draw reins, but my parents worked at the post office, and going to the tack store was not in the cards. So, I just cut my mother’s clothes line. She didn’t notice until springtime, when there was no clothesline.” And as a part timer for Sferra, he picked up tips from other breeds. “At shows, I would see these horses come off the van with their wonderful matching blankets and hoods, so I took the blankets off my brother’s bed and made my own blanket and hood.” Even while he was in high school and community college, Joey was building a business of local clients in halter, western and assorted other disciplines, traveling from barn to barn. Then, when his mother became ill with the cancer that would take her life, he quit school; his siblings were all married, with families and jobs, so he made the choice to care for her. “One day she said to me, ‘Be the best that you can ever be, and in the process, try not to hurt anybody,’” he says, and even today, his voice tightens. “Isn’t it funny that certain things can hit you? That lived with me my whole life and I’m grateful for it.”
Joey was in elementary school when he rode Indigo, a grade pony who trotted like the Hackney side of his pedigree.
After her death, he focused on his own career: training Arabian horses. When horse owners in the area offered him the use of stalls so that he could consolidate his business in one place, he was on his way—but with one twist that would surprise many Arabian fans today: he made his early reputation in halter. “I could run fast,” he explains, “so I started riding on the side.” As time went on, riding won out.
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Horses of A Lifetime
In 1979, Joey won his first U.S. National Championship, the brandnew Informal Combination title, with the Gdansk son Twin-Fir Julio. “I was so ignorant and naïve that I wasn’t afraid to ride against Gene LaCroix or Bruce Howard or Don DeLongpré or Bob Battaglia,” he recalls with a grin. “I can remember how I felt in Louisville like it was yesterday … trotting side by side with Gene LaCroix (he was on Mark IV Escapade). That feeling, trotting next to Gene LaCroix—who got to do that? Not a kid from the south side of Seattle!” Since then, he has trained some of the industry’s most memorable contenders. He was good with all horses, but he was really exceptional with the geldings who could remain in the ring forever. His balance of conditioning, care and listening to the individual animals conspired to turn out Arabian and Half-Arabian champions, primarily in the English division. One of the most famous was the Half-Arabian Baybary. As Joey recalls, Baybary, who was bred and trained by Don DeLongpré, was injured when he first approached DeLongpré about buying him, and it took a while to get the grey gelding, even though Joey was waving a blank check from his clients. They finally got it done in 1983, reportedly for the highest price ever paid at that time for a Half-Arabian. Amazingly, given his fancy action, Baybary was not mostly Saddlebred; all but one great-grand-dam in the first four generations of his pedigree were Arabian. He was 3 when he came to Joey and had logged a U.S. National Reserve Championship with DeLongpré; in years to come, he added six national championships and two more reserves in U.S., Canadian and Youth competition, both open and amateur. And that’s not counting the National Show Horse titles they won.
Son Of A Bay (DWD Tabasco x Rosanna Santana), who won seven national Half-Arabian championships and two reserves in English Pleasure and Pleasure Driving, open, amateur and junior exhibitor. “He was called ‘the horse with the million dollar ears,’” Joey smiles. Baybary had an especially alert expression, which his trainer encouraged by never showing him the ring before a class, so that when they trotted down the rail, the gelding’s ears were snapped to attention. Another name from that era was Son Of A Bay, a HalfArabian gelding that Joey says was ahead of his time in the English division—although he was well enough appreciated in the 1990s to earn seven national championships and two reserves. “Even now, people around here say, ‘Oh-mi-god, we remember Son Of A Bay,” Joey observes. “He was a phenomenon of a horse. He still would set a standard.”
Baybary (Barbary x Autumn Flower), winner of six open and amateur national championships and three reserves in the English division.
Son Of A Bay, in person, was so knock-kneed that Joey never long-lined or lunged him, for fear of hurting him. “His front legs were so abnormal that you never knew how he did what he did—and I can swear to anyone on a stack of Bibles that if he ever went on a drug, it was just two grams of bute. He was never injected. Greg Gallún would ask me why I didn’t wrap his legs, but he wouldn’t keep them on, and since
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he’d never been lame, I just didn’t use them. But I had his front shoes chromed after one of his national championships, and you would not know they came from the same horse. He was the most bizarre, unusual horse I have ever known.” And there were others, some with a ton of titles and some with a few, but mostly horses who enjoyed long careers in the ring, winning with their owners as well as their trainer. Some stayed with Joey even longer. Son Of A Bay’s owners took him home when his career finished, and later sold him to Marie and Jamie Miller—who ultimately purchased River Ridge Farm, where Joey’s operation has been for more than three decades. So, the gallant old campaigner returned to spend the last year of his life with his former trainer, serving as a babysitter for the farm’s foals. Several other Canda stalwarts quietly enjoyed retirement there as well. When Baybary’s career ended, his owners signed him over to Joey, and he joined the group which also included multi-national champion WN Astra and four-time national top ten All That Jazz. A few years later, SH Centrefold, who dominated native costume in his day, was added to the tribe of elder statesmen in the River Ridge field. Canda has served as a Large R judge for more than 30 years. Here, with Jim Fisher and Vicki Humphrey at the Ohio Buckeye in the 1990s.
“We’re their caretakers,” Joey reflects. “At a point when they’re done with their careers and have given what they have, the ability to be able to provide them with a comfortable life, [where they can] live out the rest of their lives with dignity, with honor, is the biggest thing. You can never forget who and what they are to you. “One of the nicest things was that when horses finished their careers, for many of my owners, it was never about ‘how much would they be worth, how marketable will they be?’ It was ‘they provided us with great joy and happiness, and now we want to give them what we think they deserve.’”
inside Joey cAndA
Top, clockwise: *Emanor (Wojslaw x Emanacja), who was U.S. National Champion Stallion with Michael Byatt, added a national championship in Park and reserve in English Pleasure with Joey; MWF Benedykt (Afire Bey V x Bold Love), developed and shown by Joey to three national championships and two reserves in Country English Pleasure. Benedykt would go on to a total of 11 national championships and 10 reserves in his career; WN Astra (Bluesprucetanzeer x Bint Rabidilla), six-time national champion and three-time reserve, open and amateur, in English Pleasure and Pleasure Driving.
The success Canda has known may have evolved naturally, but it didn’t come cheaply. Beneath a rather laid-back exterior is, he concedes, is a strong will. “I don’t think there was ever a time that I questioned whether I could [do something] or not,” he says. “It was whether I would or not.” For years, he was a 24/ seven guy in the barn, not because he had to be, but because he wanted to be. He was fortunate that his partner of 30 years, Hale Redmond, understood his relationship with the horses. “A line that he used for years was that I lived to work, while most people worked to live,” Joey says. “I was one of the lucky ones.”
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Still, Hale saw the larger horizon in life. Bright, handsome and articulate, he was sensitive to the nuances of people and experiences, and he had a profound effect on Joey’s life. Canda, who admits that sometimes his attitudes could be a little cut and dried, says Hale could always phrase questions that would lead him to reconsider, to identify what was really important. “He would always get me to look at things in a different light,” he says, “most of the time, a much fairer way of addressing things. All of our family members referred to him as ‘Uncle Halo.’ “We were very lucky that we found each other,” he adds. “We wanted what we considered a normal lifestyle—work, come home, mow the lawn, read the paper, go to bed. Somewhere along the line, I figured out that I didn’t need to be at the barn day and night. He helped to teach me the treasures in life.” As young riders went off to college and older owners retired from the business (and good help became harder to find), Joey downsized gradually. And then, in 2012, Hale died unexpectedly, turning his world upside down. Joey and Hale in Paris with friends and family for the Salon du Cheval. Front, Michael Byatt and Mercy Canda; back, Marietta Salas, Hale, Joey and Gerry Canda.
“I’d thought he was my partner for life and I’d never be alone,” Joey says. Suddenly, the barn was the only thing left in his day. With his family and friends—more friends than he ever guessed he had—the horses were what got him through a trial by fire of grief. How he views his life now is key to who he is. Despite the heartbreak, he chooses to focus on joy. “We had 30 great years,” he says. “Not good years, great years. I’m lucky and I’m grateful for that.”
As time has gone on, he has continued to downsize. From a once-full 46 stalls, he is comfortable with 10 to 12 horses, expanding to 20 to 25 in show season, when he conditions youngsters for old friend Michael Byatt. Most of his clients have been with him for years, and many have plenty of national awards at home; while some still enjoy that segment of the show world, others are happier with the more relaxed regional scene. That’s fine with him. What’s he going to do next? “I hope there isn’t a next,” he replies frankly. “I hope to do this until I can’t do it.”
tHe tAkeAwAy
The Canda brothers got the same start in life, but after that chose different paths, with entirely different goals—and yet both became extremely successful in the Arabian horse world. Was it just very good luck? Or is there an x-factor that might explain it? We asked Michael Byatt, who has been a family friend since the 1970s.
“Both of them are very artistic,” Byatt says. “They both study and value art and beauty and balance, and analyze what it is about an individual thing that moves them. They’re both extremely intelligent and attuned to the very core of what makes something beautiful, and they continually care about it and evolve.” Fundamental to beauty, he says, is form-to-function, and from riding horses, they understand that very well. “There are so many layers and depths to how they look at things. For them, it has never been about a single component; it’s the summation of all parts. “Another thing that has got to be mentioned about the two of them: they have so much integrity about it all,” Byatt adds. “They are always pursuing the very best and they pursue that in all walks of their lives.” That depth is not hard to spot. Joey, for instance, may develop champions by focusing on every detail, but he rarely loses sight of the big picture. “I think about it,” he says. “When all of this is said and done, I only hope that when people look back, in some way, I will have contributed something positive to the Arabian horse industry.”n Ar abian Horse Times | 139 | Volume 47, No. 10
hunTing For A new FuTuriTy...
The ArAbiAn hunTer PleAsure AssociATion by Chelsea Wesson
I
t seemed to develop and grow almost overnight. In October 2016, the idea became reality during the U.S. Arabian & Half-Arabian National Championship Horse Show. The initial question and answer meeting held there helped to guide its direction, and the Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association (AHPA) was born. With rapid interest and growth, President Samantha Hilliard and Vice President Chelsea Wesson gathered a Board of Directors in a hurry to help them create a sustainable program. The board, consisting of trainers Tom Theisen and Abe Cotton, amateurs Tom Hansen, Bitsy Jenkner and Cat McKenna, as well as Secretary Josh Schildroth and Treasurer Ashley Reimer, covers many areas all over the United States and Canada. This nine group-strong Board has been working diligently to establish criteria for all aspects of the association.
one Arabian and one Half-Arabian to the futurity each year. Founders may use the slots themselves, or can give them away or sell them at no extra cost. Founderships are $5,000 and additional benefits are currently being worked out. Also unlike the AWPA and AEPA, the AHPA will not do in-utero nominations. Any registered Arabian or Half-Arabian horse will be eligible to be nominated during their three-year-old year. Though a hot button issue since its inception, the AHPA Board chose to go with three-year-olds for a variety of reasons; one being that this allows everyone a chance to see how each individual horse is maturing, giving everyone an equal advantage to evaluate each horse fairly. But the Board and those asked for feedback, also feel that the futurity should still require something of a gamble. It is fairer to all if no horse has had the opportunity to set foot in a Nationals show arena prior to nomination.
When one first thinks of an Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association, the Arabian Western Pleasure Association (AWPA) and the Arabian English Performance Association (AEPA) come to mind. All three have a very similar focus: to create futurity classes for Arabian & Half-Arabian horses that promote the breeding and training of horses in those disciplines. They also, of course, offer wonderful payback opportunities to the winners.
The AHPA also hopes that the program creates a growing desire to look for and evaluate more young horses as hunter pleasure prospects. Much concern has been brought to the board about horses that are started for western pleasure or saddle seat, but after a year or less of training, it becomes obvious that the horse was best suited for hunter pleasure instead. Now that hunter pleasure horses are eligible for a big money futurity of their own, the AHPA hopes that the appreciation of a hunter pleasure style youngster will become stronger.
Beyond that, however, the AHPA differs. Unlike the AWPA and AEPA, the AHPA is not focused on stallion nominations and a stallion service auction, but rather, founderships. The association is offering for purchase, fifty Founderships. Being a Founder entitles one to a substantial discount in nominating
The AHPA has established entry nomination deadlines for the program. In order to allow everyone more time in 2017 to find and nominate their prospects, the first deadline was extended into summer. The association hopes this will give everyone a chance to find the proper horses for the 2018 class.
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AHPA Entry nominAtion DEADlinEs & FEEs For 2017 (2014 Foals: horses to show in 2018)
AHPA Entry nominAtion DEADlinEs & FEEs For 2018 AnD bEyonD (2015 Foals: horses to show in 2019)
July 15 (extended from normal deadline of March 15th) Founder Fee: $250 Non-Founder Fee: $1,000
March 15 Founder Fee: $250 Non-Founder Fee: $1,000
October 15 - Late Nomination Founder Fee: $2,000 Non-Founder Fee: $3,000
July 15 - Late Nomination 1 Founder Fee: $750 Non-Founder Fee: $1,500 October 15 - Late Nomination 2Â Founder Fee: $2,000 Non-Founder Fee: $3,000
The first AHPA Futurity classes will be held in 2018 at the U.S. Arabian & Half-Arabian National Championships in Tulsa, OK. If sections are needed, the classes will run as normal junior horse classes. The class judging specifications will be quality, performance, and suitability as a hunter, manners, and conformation using a five judge system. For the finals, the horses will once again first work in a normal junior horse class. After the rail work, the horses will line up head to tail on each long side of the arena and strip their tack. Judges will walk the lines and judge each horse’s conformation. Upon completion of this judging, each horse will be trotted in-hand out of the arena. The rail work will make up 80% of the judging, and conformation and suitability will make up the final 20%. Both the Arabian and Half-Arabian Futurities will have a $75,000 payback. The amounts awarded per placing is as follows: Placing 10th 9th 8th 7th 6th 5th 4th 3rd Reserve Champion
Payback $3,750 $4,125 $4,500 $4,875 $5,250 $5,625 $6,000 $7,125 $11,250 $22,500
Additional incentives and paybacks are in discussion for the winning horses. Nomination and Founding Member forms available at http://www.arabianhunterpleasure.com/ The AHPA is working on an exciting program that will feature the beauty and athleticism of an Arabian hunter pleasure horse. With already a large base of owners and horses competing in these classes, it should be a success for everyone involved in the breed. n
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Hunter Pleasure/sHow Hack …
tHe arabian Horse From a Variety oF sources
T
he hunter pleasure show horse of today faces vast, steep competition. Hunter pleasure show entry numbers typically make up the largest category of any Arabian horse performance competition. Despite these large numbers, within our industry it is a constant challenge to locate a top hunter pleasure horse, whether seeking a futurity prospect or a reliable mount for your child rider. Great hunter pleasure horses are revered, coveted and in demand! Once viewed as a ‘leftover’ competition of sorts, hunter pleasure horses of times past were frequently western pleasure-bred offspring born naturally gaited with a more animated, uplifted and forward motion. Not enough action for English, not enough calm collection for the western pleasure pen, hunter pleasure was then deemed an alternative discipline. Show Hack too, is growing in numbers and popularity. With eleven different gaits (‘gears’) to execute calmly, yet with flash, charisma, and elegant collection, extension, and forward motion, many show hack performance horses are the offspring of saddle seat/English pleasure type bloodstock. However, times have definitely changed to the upside for Arabian hunter and show hack horses! Exemplifying versatility, capability and gentility, today’s champions are produced from a wide span of bloodstock, including internationally acclaimed halter stallions, English pleasure champions and, yes, western pleasure stallions and mares. Some well-established halter horse breeders have even begun to show and promote some of their bloodstock in hunter pleasure and show hack after they conclude their in-hand career. It’s a positive boost to the industry when we can further the career of any horse. Such a show career transition to the performance pen truly illustrates the intelligence, trust and personal connection the Arabian horse shares with its human partner. The hunter pleasure/show hack Arabian is beautiful, capable, desired and, oh so popular. Continue reading on to find out why from the people who love it so much.
cassie banks
Oak Haven Arabians
How do you differentiate a hunter pleasure or show hack horse from a country/English pleasure horse? Frame differentiates the two disciplines.
What quality do you look for in a hunter hack/ sport horse that may differ from a main ring hunter pleasure horse? A ground covering stride without the dramatic motion is important.
What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack horse? The way a horse moves is very important. I like a free shoulder and ground covering stride. A good hind end is important as well.
When considering show hack—both main ring and sport horse—what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? A good mind for starters. They should also be very supple, making the change between gaits effortless.
Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? It’s the most versatile division; it gives horses that wouldn’t necessarily excel in the English or western divisions something to be good at. What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? I’m ok with the shiny hunt coats; I feel like it helps you stand out in the show ring. Ar abian Horse Times | 142 | Volume 47, No. 10
What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? I’m always excited to see new horses in the ring. I especially enjoy watching the babies grow up and become stars in the futurity classes. I think the hunter pleasure world has a lot to offer, especially with the addition of the AHPA. I think this will be a great incentive for the hunter world.
Chad Beadnell
Empress Arabians
How do you differentiate a hunter pleasure or show hack horse from a country/English pleasure horse? Hunter pleasure horses are not as upright in the bridle and do not have as much knee and motion as our country/English horses. What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack horse? Conformation, quality and movement.
Shannon Beethe
Beethe Arabians
Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? I think in most cases, when people go to get there first few lessons somewhere, they end up learning on a hunter. What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? Personally, I do not like shiny
What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? Showing some young prospects that haven’t been in the show ring yet.
What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack horse? Powerful, fluid movement.
material may be considered ‘shiny,’ but if done well and in the right color, it is beautiful.
What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? I love a very high quality material for a hunt coat. At times, this rich, silk
Royal Arabians
What quality do you look for in a hunter hack/ sport horse that may differ from a main ring hunter pleasure horse? A flat moving horse that has no knee. When considering show hack—both main ring and sport horse—what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? The horse must have a trainable willing attitude, and be extra athletic and fit to do all of the gaits properly.
Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? A large number of Arabians and/or HalfArabians are very natural in the hunter frame.
JuStin Cowden
hunt coats and I don’t feel it’s conservative, nor does it follow the rules.
horse? There are several qualities that make a really good hunter or show hack horse. For me, one of the most important should be Arabian type. Pretty necks and faces, as well as a smooth bodied horse, really completes the picture. Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? I think hunter comes so naturally to the majority of our horses. Also, hunter horses seem to be in abundance right now throughout the industry. Because of that, there is a horse out there accessible for almost any level of rider in various price ranges.
How do you differentiate a hunter pleasure or show hack horse from a country/English pleasure horse? Today’s hunter pleasure horses should have a frame that still exhibits style and shape, but should be more horizontal than that of a country pleasure horse, and have slower footed motion with more reach.
What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? Some definitely get a little carried away, but as a whole, I don’t dislike them. It is very controversial, as according to the rule book it is not seen as traditional nor conservative. However, if tastefully done, it can in my opinion, be a sharp and elegant look in the show ring.
What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack
What quality do you look for in a hunter hack/ sport horse that may differ from a main ring Ar abian Horse Times | 143 | Volume 47, No. 10
When considering show hack—both main ring and sport horse—what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? I have found that the horses that excel in show hack that I have trained, are smart, willing and playable. If we expect them to change between such extreme gaits, we find that it really helps if they are clear thinkers that will allow us, the rider/trainer, to guide them easily.
hunter pleasure horse? A hunter hack/sport horse obviously has a completely different job description than a hunter pleasure horse. The hunter hack/sport horse should have a long and flatter kneed stride and a horizontal frame to help it approach a fence. A hunter pleasure horse should have its face at vertical with more bow and shape to its neck, with a soft rolling stride that still exhibits extension. When considering show hack—both main ring and sport horse—what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? Fluid and precise transitions between gaits. The horse should appear to make solid and evident changes with minimal cues from the rider and definite extension and collection in each gait called for. What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? The quality is just outstanding, especially at the national level. With the new AHPA (Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association) futurities kicking off in 2018, I hope we see even more participation.
Chris Culbreth
Culbreth Equine Training & Management, LLC How do you differentiate a Hunter Pleasure or Show Hack horse from a Country/ English pleasure horse? A quality hunter pleasure horse needs to travel in a more horizontal frame than an English horse. Because a hunter must cover large distances while still conserving energy, its motion must be lower and flatter with good impulsion from behind and the stride must be long; whereas an English horse travels in more of a vertical frame. A quality show hack must be a horse that has the temperament and talent to easily shift between collected, normal and extended gaits. High quality and superior conformation are the hallmarks of a good show hack. What do you think is the most important quality of a Hunter Pleasure or Show Hack horse? I like to see a hunter with good substance and lots of scope. It should be a horse
Chad Judy
Empress Arabians
that is willing and relaxed, while still wanting to go to work at a moment’s notice. It should be a horse that has a straight tail and its motion is derived from its conformation, its ability to engage from behind and innate elasticity, not from excessive shoeing. Again, a show hack horse should be of the highest quality. It should highly skilled and able to perform numerous gait changes with ease. Its ability to collect and extend all gaits is derived from its strength, balance, conformation, willingness and training. It should be a horse that travels more vertically than a hunter. Why is the Hunter Pleasure division so popular? In the 1970s, hunter pleasure horses competed in the same classes as the English pleasure horses. In the 80s, the divisions were split, giving the hunter pleasure horses their own division. Once this split occurred, the division steadily increased in popularity. Hunter pleasure is one of the best entry level classes we have for the new enthusiast. The ability to compete with two hands and a single pair of reins makes learning easier. The attire is more affordable and is readily available off the rack or online. Often, a quality hunter pleasure horse is more affordable than horses for other divisions, however, in the past decade, we have seen prices for the highest quality horses rise significantly. What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? USEF rule, AR138.2 clearly states in regard to hunt coats: Glossy/ metallic/shiny fabrics or materials are not suitable for hunting. And, Nonconforming exhibitors
How do you differentiate a hunter pleasure or show hack horse from a country/English pleasure horse? Conformation of the horse is probably the first thing that comes to my mind What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack horse? Their mindset. I really like a horse to tell me what they want to do. And a good mind on a hunter/show hack horse is a necessity for competing at a high level. Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? Our industry is driven by amateurs, and hunter is a common discipline that the average person starts out riding. I hate saying that it is easier, because that isn’t true; it takes just as much to ride a hunter as it does a saddle seat horse. What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? I’m not a fan. Ar abian Horse Times | 144 | Volume 47, No. 10
must be severely penalized. One mistake a casual observer might make is to see a rider with “nonconforming attire,” win a class. They may assume that the attire may partially be attributed to the rider’s success, when the horse won despite the attire, not because of it. Horses competing in the sport horse divisions are a more traditional looking hunter or show hack. The horses that are successful in the main ring have evolved over the last few decades to be a more stylized horse. This is a horse that, while still honoring the traditions of the discipline, will present itself in a manner more appreciated by competitors in that venue. What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? In 2016, I had the honor of being one of the U.S. Nationals judges. I judged the English pleasure division. I was not judging the hunter pleasure/show hack divisions, but I had ample opportunity to watch these classes with great enthusiasm. I was impressed with the horses that reigned victorious. The hunter pleasure horses were of the highest quality and were exceptional movers. These horses were consistently honored over horses with inappropriate motion or motion derived from excessive shoeing. The show hacks that did well, demonstrated exceptional manners and willingness to make clean transitions between gaits and their collected, normal and extended gaits. Again, appropriate motion was honored. After watching these classes, I was encouraged in the direction these two division are going. I look forward to the future of these classes.
What quality do you look for in a hunter hack/sport horse that may differ from a main ring hunter pleasure horse? Personally, I feel that the qualities I look for in a main ring hunter are similar to a sport horse. They really can cross over quite well. I have had great luck with many of my hunters winning in both the main and sport horse ring. When considering show hack—both main ring and sport horse—what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? I think there are three things: a great brain, good movement and athletic ability. What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? Just working every day with Arabians excites me.
Samantha hilliard
Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association, President
How do you differentiate a hunter pleasure or show hack horse from a country/English pleasure horse? The hunter is going to have a longer more rectangular frame vs. the upright frame of a country/English pleasure horse. The gaits of the hunter will be more ground covering with a good length of stride (less upward motion). I want a hunter that moves in a relaxed manner and has a bit less arch in the neck and is softer in the poll.
Erica milligan Milligan Training
What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack horse? I want to be able to watch the hunter horse move and make me think, wow, that looks like it would be fun and enjoyable to ride. I want a horse that looks like it loves its job. And I want a horse that has a beautiful ground covering hand gallop. I think that truly makes a great hunter horse stand out. The hand gallop is key to me. Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? Because it is affordable. If you are new to the breed or on a budget, you can still find any level, including a national quality hunter pleasure horse, without breaking the bank. Also, the attire and tack are relatively inexpensive when you compare them to English or western. Also, you have the ability to cross over into other divisions with reasonable ease. In many cases, you can show your main ring hunter in the sport horse disciplines which gives a rider more opportunities to show. What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? AR140.2a states ... a coat of conservative color (black, blue, gray, green, or brown, and conservative shades thereof) made of materials that are suitable for hunting. Discrete
How do you differentiate a hunter pleasure or show hack horse from a country/English pleasure horse? Country/English horses are more animated with higher carriage, where as a hunter should carry lower and have a long ground covering stride. What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack horse? I believe a hunter/show hack horse that exudes quality, suitability and manners has a bright future. Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? It’s the most straightforward discipline to understand, yet very elegant. What are your thought on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? I am much more on the conservative side; it should be elegant, not busy.
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patterns such as tweeds, houndstooth, jacquard, pinstripes or subtle plaids are allowed. Coats must be darker than the breeches or jodhpurs. Brocades, raised patterns, glossy/metallic/shiny fabrics or materials are not suitable for hunting. Nonconforming exhibitors must be severely penalized. The rule is pretty clear ... no shiny fabrics, so my thought is, no shiny hunt coats. When considering show hack—both main ring and sport horse—what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? Stamina ... oh wait, that would be the rider too. You want a horse that has the ability to make distinct transitions between the gaits, ie the collected, normal and extended gaits. In my opinion, show hack is one of the toughest classes to train for and excel. What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? Obviously, I am excited about the birth of the AHPA program. Granted, the debut of the classes at Nationals is not until 2018, but the nominations are due in 2017. We are taking the largest division and creating an incredible program with great prize money for both Arabians and Half-Arabians. The AHPA will help increase the marketability and value of our hunters, and that in itself is EXCITING!
What quality do you look for in a hunter hack/ sport horse that may differ from a main ring hunter pleasure horse? I believe hack is more about manners and suitability and main ring hunter is more on quality and movement. When considering show hack-both main ring and sport horse-what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? They must have impeccable manners, trainability and quality. What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? I’m excited to see what 2017 brings for trends in these divisions, to see what the judges are leaning more towards, as far as movement and carriage goes.
Peggy Weems
Stewart Performance Horses How do you differentiate a hunter pleasure or show hack horse from a country/English pleasure horse? They have different attitudes and frames. The hunter pleasure horse has a lower, more elongated frame and more relaxed way of going, where the country/English horse is more compact and upright.
What are your thoughts on the current trend of shiny hunt coats? Is it conservative? Does it follow the rules? The shiny hunt coats are not conservative, but a good judge would not penalize these, as they would be looking at the horse’s way of going and the overall picture.
What do you think is the most important quality of a hunter pleasure or show hack horse? The hunter pleasure horse needs to have a smooth, consistent way of going.
When considering show hack—both main ring and sport horse—what qualities must a horse have to be trainable in this discipline? The horse must be very responsive to collection and extension of gaits. The good ones feel very elastic.
Why is the hunter pleasure division so popular? There are many good horses that are happiest when presented in hunter pleasure.
What excites you about these disciplines in 2017? The quality of the horses presented, especially at the national shows, just keeps improving.
2016 NatioNal HuNter/Hack leaders Includes U.S., Canadian, Sport Horse and Youth Nationals Hunter Champions and Reserves. Hunter Pleasure, Show Hack, and Hunter Hack classes. Open and amateur/junior classes only
Overall arabian & Half-arabian leading HOrses
by number of wins
1. DM London Town Edge Of Glory CA 2. Arsaces 3. A Time To Dance Adelita RTA Glitterati RS Ladys Man WH 4. About Last Knight DA Avant Guardian Great Xxpectations PA Vaquero Kid Psax Fifth Avenue
2 championships, 2 reserves 2 championships, 2 reserves 3 championships 2 championships, 1 reserve 2 championships, 1 reserve 2 championships, 1 reserve 2 championships, 1 reserve 1 championship, 2 reserves 1 championship, 2 reserves 1 championship, 2 reserves 1 championship, 2 reserves 1 championship, 2 reserves
Owner Gary or Peggy Weems Conway Arabians, Inc. Kendall Carkhuff Bay Area Equine Vet Camp LLC Edie Howell Kristen Meyer Dennis or Willa Miller Arianna Bell or Norrie-Shan Fyfe LMJ Investments LLC Audrey Flakus Deborah or Lela Reynolds Mike & Loren Hart and Gordon Walter
3 championships 2 championships, 1 reserve 1 championship, 2 reserves 1 championship, 2 reserves 1 championship, 2 reserves
Owner Kendall Carkhuff Bay Area Equine Vet Camp LLC LMJ Investments LLC Audrey Flakus Deborah or Lela Reynolds
arabian leading HOrses by number of wins
1. Arsaces 2. A Time To Dance 3. DA Avant Guardian Great Xxpectations PA Vaquero Kid
Half-arabian leading HOrses by number of wins
1. DM London Town Edge Of Glory CA 2. Adelita RTA Glitterati RS Ladys Man WH 3. About Last Knight Psax Fifth Avenue
2 championships, 2 reserves 2 championships, 2 reserves 2 championships, 1 reserve 2 championships, 1 reserve 2 championships, 1 reserve 1 championship, 2 reserves 1 championship, 2 reserves
Owner Gary or Peggy Weems Conway Arabians, Inc. Edie Howell Kristen Meyer Dennis or Willa Miller Arianna Bell or Norrie-Shan Fyfe Mike & Loren Hart and Gordon Walter
Ar abian Horse Times | 146 | Volume 47, No. 10
Overall leading SireS
Overall leading Open TrainerS
by number of winning get
1. Sundance Kid V 2. AA Apollo Bey Baske Afire Mamage Triften
(Top Ten included) by points
4 3 3 3 3
1. Wendy Potts 2. Justin Cowden Todd Ehret James Lowe 3. Larry Hoffman 4. Sally Randle Jada Reed Thomas Theisen 5. Caralyn Schroter 6. Cheryl Fletcher
by number of wins 1. Mamage Sundance Kid V 2. Apollopalooza 3. Heir To Glory KM Bugatti Millennium LOA Pension CAHR
6 6 5 4 4 4 4
Overall leading OwnerS by number of horses
1. Highland Pride Arabians, Inc. 2. Becker Stables, Inc. Arianna Bell or Norrie-Shan Fyfe Conway Arabians, Inc. Brian or Sandra Feuling Larry or Sue Lease Cindy McGown or Mark Davis Kristen Meyer Wolf Springs Ranches, Inc.
arabian leading SireS
by number of Arabian winning get
1. Sundance Kid V 2. AA Apollo Bey Baske Afire Desperado V Jullyen El Jamaal KM Bugatti Mariachi WA Millennium LOA Surokhan Triften
4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
by number of horses
1. Conway Arabians, Inc. Dolorosa Arabians Ltd. 2. Frank or Sara Chisholm 3. Brett or Marjie Becker Calif. State Polytechnis Univ. Lisa Dawn Ethell Brian or Sandra Fueling Susan Fyfe Live Oak Arabians, Inc. Pegasus Arabians
6 4 4 3 3 3 3
3 2 2
by number of Half-Arabian wins 1. Mamage 2. Heir To Glory Pension CAHR 3. Psax
6 4 4 3
4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
arabian leading breederS by number of horses
by number of Half-Arabian winning get 1. Mamage 2. Allience Armani FC
4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Overall leading breederS
by number of Arabian wins 1. Sundance Kid V 2. KM Bugatti Millennium LOA 3. Apollopalooza Desperado V ES Dos Equis Mariachi WA
43 30 30 30 26 25 25 25 23 20
1. Dolorosa Arabians Ltd. Frank or Sara Chisholm 2. Brett or Marjie Becker Calif. State Polytechnis Univ. Lisa Dawn Ethell Brian or Sandra Fueling Susan Fyfe
3 3 2 2 2 2 2
Half-arabian leading breederS by number of horses
1. Conway Arabians, Inc. 2. Live Oak Arabians, Inc. Pegasus Arabians
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3 2 2
2016 Tied For Overall Leader of National Arabian and Half-Arabian Hunter Winners 2 National Championships … 2 Reserves … 1 Top Ten (third)
(Pension CAHR x Premier Property (ASHA))
A big “thank you” to our trainers, Doug and Kristi Stewart, for an amazing year. Also, thank you to Diana McClaskey and family, for breeding him and being so supportive of our show year.
Owned by: Gary and Peggy Weems
Trained by: Stewart Performance Horses Doug and Kristi Stewart 93370 Highway 99 S | Junction City, OR 97448 (541) 515-1053 | dstewartstables@aol.com | www.sphtraining.com
Ar abian Horse Times | 149 | Volume 47, No. 10
TRAINING FOR OPEN AND AMATEUR COMPETITION ON A NATIONAL LEVEL ... ENGLISH | WESTERN HUNTER | REINING
Chris & Michele Culbreth Jessica Schaeffler
w w w. C u l b r e t h E q u i n e . c o m Ar abian Horse Times | 150 | Volume 47, No. 10
480.231.5832 CCulbreth@aol.com 14530 E. Wildcat Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85262
In your 20 years of life you defied so many odds. Your soul was ready to leave us but your heart was not. History soon followed in the Arabian world, proving miracles do happen. We were blessed with three miracle Half-Arabian foals, sired by Vitorio TO. Pictured from left to right: BIG MAN IN TOWN 1.22.17
All photos by
ELLE VITORINA 2.1.17 EPONA ELLEISON 1.16.17
KYRIE ARABIANS LISA GAUDIO & JAMES KAZANJIAN CHADDS FORD, PA | KYRIEARABIANS.COM
Ar abian Horse Times | 151 | Volume 47, No. 10
Thank you, Janey, for your love & support. ~ Jimmy & Lisa
Kyrie Elleison
(1996-2016)
Honoring The Life’s Journey Of A Gallant Mare ... And Celebrating Her “Three” Miraculous Final Gifts, Part II by Catherine Cole Ferandelli
Kyrie Elleison (Allionce x Sherry Baby)
I
n the August 2016 issue, the impassioned story of champion Half-Arabian mare Kyrie Elleison ‘Kyrie’ (Allionce x Sherry Baby) and her owner/breeder Lisa Gaudio were featured. Their journey together in this life concluded with the posthumous extraction of potentially viable eggs from Kyrie—an amazing feat in and of itself. The extraordinary equine veterinarian teams of University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolten Center, Texas A&M University and Unionville Equine collaborated to breed (fertilize) these viable eggs with national champion stallion Vitorio TO, creating three healthy embryos. Three warm-hearted recipient mares fittingly named ‘Peace’, ‘Mercy’ and ‘Grace,’ accepted the embryos, carrying Kyrie’s precious cargo. Earlier this year, Lisa and her husband Jimmy Kazanjian, were gifted a trio of healthy, happy foals. The joyous journey of Kyrie’s three babies begins …
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“When Kyrie was still alive, her vet team, and Jimmy and I talked extensively about breeding her via embryo transfer,” Lisa recollects. “We wavered back and forth as Kyrie’s chronic, painful laminitis made her vulnerable to anything other than receiving care to keep her comfortable. Plus, we figured all the medication she’d taken over the years would likely affect the quality of her eggs.” She continues, “When Kyrie came home from New Bolten to us for the last time, she revived briefly but then quickly re-lapsed. The sorrowful decision was made to euthanize her at which time it became clear cut; we would take a chance, remove her ovaries and attempt to defy the odds by extracting eggs for breeding to Vitorio. Three of the four viable implanted eggs took. What a gift it was to pass the 45 day mark! Our anxious waiting for these babies began.”
January 16, 2017, the first foal arrived, a bay filly, since named Epona Elleison. Lisa smiles, “Epona is the true big sister. She is bold, strong and always seems to be thinking ‘game on!’ We named her suitably, as the goddess Epona in Gallo-Roman religion was a protector of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.”
Choosing to have the mares close, Lisa and Jimmy had Peace, Mercy and Grace shipped to their Pennsylvania farm mid-term from Texas A&M where their precious embryos had been implanted. Lisa and Jimmy agreed, “We have lovely pastures here at our place. The mares would enjoy a serene environment. We could be hands-on with them, get to know them and live the experience. Plus we are a fifteen quick minutes from New Bolten Center where the foals would be born, a fitting birthplace as their dam Kyrie had spent so much time there.” Peace, Mercy and Grace settled in quickly, enjoying daytime pasture life through summer, fall and winter, weather permitting. Kyrie’s foals were due January 17, 2017, nearly a year after their mothers’ passing. The recipient mares and fetuses remained healthy and strong through their term.
Above: Epona Elleison Laft: Recipient mares Grace, Peace and Mercy.
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The January 17th due date for the second foal passed with Lisa and U-Penn vet Michele Linton in constant contact. Lisa and Jimmy loaded up their RV, spending three anxious nights awaiting the January 22nd middle of the night foaling of bay colt, Big Man In Town. “Big Man is gallant, fearless, curious and laid back,” Lisa shares. “What a combination! Same as his big sister Epona, he was up and running around within 45 minutes of birth.” The third Kyrie baby and second bay filly made her debut in the wee hours of February 1st, evading human witnesses; no easy feat when under camera watch! Named Elle Vitorino, to Lisa she is reminiscent of the Elle Woods character in the movie ‘Legally Blonde,’ smaller, confident, and characterized by a princess-like ‘I can do this myself ’ nature. Seeing the first generation in the fourth, “Elle so reminds us of her great-grandmother
Big Man In Town
Choices (Barbary x Baskemos Rochelle), my first Arabian horse,” Lisa says. “Choices passed away last year, but she was over 30 and lived a wonderful life with us. She’d have loved to have met her granddaughter’s three babies!” Vet Michele Linton and her staff kept all three foals inhouse at New Bolten for the first few days of life, “Lots of handling, love, affection and kisses,” recounts Lisa. As the babies chose to spread out their birthdays, going home to Lisa and Jimmy’s farm was a joyous task one foal and ‘mom’ at a time. Elle and ‘mother’ Grace’s homecoming was a year to the day after Kyrie’s final return home. A ‘mini Kyrie Elleison,’ Elle and her ‘mom’ are lovingly housed in Kyrie’s stall.
Elle Vitorino
News soon traveled about the three wee miracle foals, with the Fox Channel sending local television newscaster, Dawn Timmeney, to tape a piece for their nightly news. Proclaiming, ‘Check out these three miracle foals!’, Dawn’s news story captured the dedicated work of the UPenn New Bolten Center’s reproductive expert Tamera Dobbie and laminitis specialist Michele Linton, plus the playful antics of the babies in pasture. Lisa asserts, “Jimmy and I remain in awe of the team of experts who
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kept Kyrie comfortable until her end, and through the careful reproductive work of Tamera, her team and Texas A&M. We were told from the beginning, the odds were low to extract viable eggs from a euthanized mare. To reap three from our beloved Kyrie, ill and medicated from chronic laminitis all those years is truly one for the books.” Lisa continues, “We are the first to say, consider this process if you have a mare you love who has not produced, who is at the end of her life. Yes, it’s a gamble; you may endure effort for naught. Still, if you want to see your beloved mare live on, think seriously about beating the odds. The rewards just may change your life. Kyrie and her three babies have given us lifelong kinship of folks we would never have known. This experience is and was the best ever.” How do Lisa and Jimmy envision the future of their three bay beauties? “We will continue to keep them together, playing in pasture, enjoying their recess time with play toys, napping one by one alongside the fence. We see a future halter career; after all, they are the offspring of two gorgeous champion halter horses. Even better, both Kyrie
Fox News Anchor Dawn Timmeny with Big Man In Town.
and Vitorio possess exceptional motion, balance and kind temperament, ideal for a performance career. We are committed to giving them every opportunity to be what they want to be.” “Life is uncanny,” Lisa proclaims. “Jimmy and I reconnected mid-life and married. Kyrie came back into my life after 15 years during which I couldn’t have horses. And here we are today … blessed with results from a risky equine journey, living every day with three angelic bay foals. Modern science certainly played its part. Still, I’m certain their mother, Kyrie Elleison, is gazing down from the heavens, watching her babies spread joy to all whose lives they touch.” n
Top left, clockwise: Jimmy Kanzanjian, Dr. Jim Orsini, Lisa Gaudio, Dr. Tamara Dobi and Dr. Jill Acland; all three siblings together at home; celebration cake.
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Thank you, Cory, for your extreme talent, enthusiasm and all-around professional manner in which you care for and present our horses. We are all excited to see your career continue! ~ Pat Dempsey
janson photo
Ted
Carson Training
WWW.BELOVEDSFARM.COM Patricia M. Dempsey Lady Lake, Florida | 352-430-3456
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Thank you to all my family, friends and clients ‌ for making dreams come true!
Project Runway LOA+/ (Millennium LOA+ x Supermodel LOA, by MS Baquero+)
Cyty Seance (Cyty Heat x Lani Seance)
Mark Of Jullyen V (Jullyen El Jamaal x Mosquerade V, by Huckleberry Bey++)
EC Avas Fire (Afire Bey V x GTF Marquessa)
Erica Milligan of Milligan Training Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada | 306-269-7630 | Ericaemilligan@hotmail.com Ar abian Horse Times | 157 | Volume 47, No. 10
Rising Stars Of 2017 … Proud, Passionate And Possessed
S
omeone once said of a particularly challenging goal, “If it were easy, everyone would be doing this!” No fledgling career goal could be more true of this adage than that of the Arabian horse trainer. Their work day is both physically and mentally taxing, sometimes seven days a week, mostly double digit hour workdays. And particularly for rising stars in this area, they bide their time, listening, learning and striving in the ‘rear seat’ of the training operation in which they are a team member. The reward is already part of the journey—the caring and training of the glorious, greathearted Arabian horse. What is it about the Arabian horse trainer career that catapults so many young riders from the youth/ amateur show pen status to toiling days and nights, working as an assistant for the ‘star’ trainer or starting their own training operation? The spotlight and celebrity of the show pen takes a junior seat to a new role—that of the disciple. The rising star sees their quest and then gets on board the rookie road map rife with twists, turns, days of two steps forward and one step back. This highway is the key to reaching the top of the pinnacle, that of a top trainer, schooling and showing the best in the breed. In the meantime, they won’t be starting and schooling the equine superstars, instead they’ll ‘cut their teeth’ on the challenging mounts in the barn. Still, learning and living through these challenges, getting results and always seeking to prove themselves is that beaconing beam which shines just to the fore, and these following up-and-coming trainers share their journey.
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Cassie Banks Oak Haven Arabians
Years in industry: 20 Divisions of Expertise: Hunter, Saddle Seat, Western
Role at Oak Haven Arabians: Trainer; from start to f inish, along with other various tasks. Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. I always did things on my own growing up and I would get help from various trainers. It was always rewarding to get a horse and turn it into something great. I knew I wanted to do this for a living, so when I had the opportunity to work for Rick Gault, that just set it in stone. He showed me that hard work and dedication can get you far in life. He’s the person who inspired me to do this! What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? I’m really good at assessing a situation and problem solving. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. Stay calm and focused; if something isn’t working, then you need to stop and reassess. Every horse is different, so I feel you need to be very open minded and know that the same thing may not work on every horse. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? I go into every day with a fresh mindset. If things didn’t go well the day before, I don’t dwell on it, I just move forward. Keeping an open mind is key to success.
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Annie Boylan Stachowski Farmss
Years in industry: 24 Divisions of Expertise: English and Hunter Pleasure Role at Stachowski Farms: Asst. Trainer at Ohio operation Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. I don’t remember a time that I didn’t want to train. Since I was little, I was always fascinated with the techniques and the process to getting a horse trained. I’ve always loved the challenge of training and working with the horse daily. There’s no better feeling than a horse being successful because of the hard work and time you’ve put in. What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? I’m a certif ied therapeutic riding instructor. I hope one day to utilize that in our industry and show how great the Arabian horse is for therapeutic riding. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. Continue to learn and use the resources around you. We’re fortunate to have so many different trainers at Stachowski and I see it as a great opportunity for learning from others and growing daily. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? Have something outside of your job that is yours. Whether it’s working out, concerts, or any type of hobby, have something that you can decompress with. Mine is a palomino Quarter Horse I learn something different with. Although he’s still a horse, he’s yellow, he’s mine and very different from the horses I’m training daily!
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Cory Bryne
Ted Carson Arabians @ Butler Farms Years in industry: 9 Divisions of Expertise: Halter
Role at Ted Carson Arabians: Asst. Halter Trainer Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. I started out cleaning stalls at Butler Farms, almost 9 years ago. My career has been completely made up of taken opportunities. With that being said, my ‘aha’ moment has also been progressive. I love Arabian horses and the owners and breeders and everything that comes with it. I couldn’t tell you the day exactly, but when I looked inside my heart and found it overflowing with love for this breed and this industry, it was undeniable where my future would be heading. What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? Having never had experience with horses before going to work for Ted, I think that I have a really nice, sort of “outside” perspective. That, and I’m a really fun guy! Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. There are two things that have been said to me that really stick. The f irst, is to simply slow down. This meaning, control your emotions and approach each horse and situation with a clear head and the utmost fairness. The second piece of advice is to always practice humility. I think it came out something more like, “Learn to enjoy the taste of humble pie, my man,” but this practice has and continues to lead me in becoming a better man, every day. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? I like this question. I’ll tell you what works for me. I am positively bursting with passion over my job, so it makes it quite easy to just muster up the gusto needed to hang in there and get the job done. And the satisfaction of a job well done, that’s enough for me. All of that and an ice cold beer at the end of the day ... well, that’s just right. Ar abian Horse Times | 161 | Volume 47, No. 10
Brooke Fuchs Butler Farms Training Center
Years in industry: Almost 11 Divisions of Expertise: Dressage, Jumping, Hunter Pleasure, Western Pleasure
Role at Butler Farms Training Center: Performance Trainer. I also give riding lessons, help foal out mares, assist with breeding, and help manage the day-to-day care of over 80 horses at the farm. Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. I grew up loving horses and f inally my parents let me take riding lessons when I was 10 years old. I started in the Arabian business while I was in college, as an amateur. The rest is history! The moment I realized I wanted to train Arabian horses was while I was attending college at Michigan State University. I was taking horse training and showing classes every semester I was there, even in the summer. The more horses I could train and show, the more I got hooked. I never looked back! What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? I believe I bring a unique combination of talents to the Arabian breed because I train a variety of disciplines, ranging from dressage and jumping, to hunter pleasure and western. I also have many national titles in a variety of disciplines and am working on getting my judges card to gain more experience with this wonderful breed. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. Not to get caught up in always riding for the show ring. Keep the horses minds engaged in their training through a variety of maneuvers and even some small jumps, and a trail ride is a good thing. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work— physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? Staying at the top of my game is not always an easy task. My one tip would be to always keep a positive attitude for the next day, and what new things you can teach your horses and what they can teach you. Ar abian Horse Times | 162 | Volume 47, No. 10
Lauren Grabski Oak Haven Arabians
Years in industry: 13 Divisions of Expertise: Hunter and Saddle Seat
Role at Oak Haven Arabians: I primarily train horses at Oak Haven. However, I also make sure that all of the horses are cared for, whether that means checking our roller coaster Texas weather and deciding if our horses need blanketed or not, or tending to horses with medical needs. Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. I think from the moment that I started riding Arabians, I knew that this was what I loved and wanted to do with my life. The exact moment that I knew I was going to train Arabians was when I bought my own 3 year old to train by myself and found success. It was challenging and rewarding all at the same time! It was like a jigsaw puzzle. Finding all the edges are easy; it’s the pieces in the middle that are more tedious to f it together, and I really came to love the tedious side of f inishing a show horse. What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? I guess many people have told me that I bring a calmness to this crazy, busy life! Many of our clients and coworkers call me the human Xanax! There are not many things or situations that get me worked up. Being calm seems to help me and others better deal with the sometimes fast tempo or high pressure horse show atmosphere. That seems to make me unique! Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. To be open minded in the training process. After working with such a large variety of horses in many disciplines, it has become very clear that every horse is different. Not every horse that you have the opportunity to work with is necessarily going to f it into a training mold. In order to be an effective trainer, you have to be able to adapt to f ind what best works best for each individual horse. If something isn’t working, be willing to try another technique! The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? I stay calm through stressful or fast paced situations. When things get hard or I get tired, I like to put things back in perspective by asking myself if whatever it may be is really worth being stressed out about. Most of the time, the answer is no. Being overwhelmed about something that is so small in the grand scheme of things isn’t worth the stress. On top of that, whatever energy you put out into the world, is often times the energy you receive back. So if you are cool, calm, and collected, more than likely, the people around you will maintain that energy as well.
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Alayna Mala Adandy Farms
Years in industry: Almost 9 Divisions of Expertise: English and Saddle Seat
Role at Adandy Farm: Asst. Trainer to Cathy Vincent, but have several roles. Additionally, I head up the off ice as well as the breeding barn. Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. I think my ‘aha’ moment was born in me. I have had a passion for horses since I was a little girl. Now that I look back on it, when I started working for Cathy, I realized there was another whole world out there as far as showing horses. I grew up showing on a small circuit of shows, not being introduced to the national level. In May of 2009 I started working part time for Adandy Farm in-between school, and I felt as though I just couldn’t learn enough; I was like a sponge, I wanted to absorb as much as I could all at once. The more opportunity I got to ride different horses and be under the instruction of Cathy, the more I realized that training horses was what I wanted to do. When I broke my f irst horse to ride, I thought I really wanted to do this and wanted to bring horses from the ground up under the expertise of Cathy; having her teach me and the horse(s) from the beginning. What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? The Arabian horse experience has changed my life in so many ways. I feel as though each and every one of us young and up-and-coming trainers bring something unique to the table. What I think is unique about what I bring to the experience of it all is that I do a multitude of things around the farm. From training horses to breeding mares, you name it, and I’m sure I do it or have done it. I am learning how to handle every aspect of the farm—training, business, marketing, breeding and responsibility. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Cathy always tells me. When I’m struggling with a young horse or any horse, she always tells me there is tomorrow to keep working on the issue, because it’s not going to get f ixed in one ride. So I have been taught to work on small things at a time and build them into a better f inished product without frying the horse’s mind and myself. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work— physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? Take some time outside of your work hours to relax and have some ‘you’ time. Both your mind and body need it. Whether I’m at home or at a show, I always try to f ind some down time. It can be diff icult for sure, but even if you have an hour to yourself, it’s worth it. For example, I enjoy getting my nails done and a pedicure, to get off the farm for a bit and relax. I always f ind I’m so refreshed and ready to go right back to work.
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Erica Milligan Milligan Training
Years in industry: 16 Divisions of Expertise: Western, Hunter, English, Show Hack, Side Saddle
Role at Milligan Training: Literally everything. As the owner, I take care of 30 horses, feeding 3 meals a day, cleaning stalls, turnouts, riding, bathing, lessons, etc. I am the trainer, barn manager, breeding manager, care taker and groomer. Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. When my f irst Arabian “Norm” pushed my breaking point and I still loved it. There was no turning back! All the blood, sweat and tears that Norm made me endure only made me want it more as the reward was more than being on cloud nine! What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? I truly feel that we as a breed are all unique. This industry is full of ups and downs and it isn’t for everyone. At the end of the day I just want to remember my roots as to why I got into this—for the absolute love of horses. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. Be honest, never give up and hard work really does pay off. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? I always set goals for myself, whether that be a slower lope, more drape or more trot. Always working harder than you did the day before; always wanting to do better; always wanting to be better.
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Jessica Schaeffler
Culbreth Equine Training and Management LLC
Years in industry: Nearly 20 Divisions of Expertise: English, Hunter and Western Pleasure and Reining
Role at Culbreth Equine Training & Management: Associate Trainer Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. It was instantaneous; it happened the second I got on a horse when I was 3 years old. What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? I had the privilege of being a client before I was a trainer, which gives me a unique perspective. I also like to think that I have coaching and horses in my blood; my grandfather on my mom’s side was involved as a stall manager at Belmont Racetrack in Long Island, and my grandfather on my dad ’s side was the head coach of the U.S. Team. Ski Team. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. My ski coach grandfather taught me this, “The difference between being a good coach and a great coach comes from knowing when to pat the athlete on the back and when to kick them in the butt; the problem being the two places are so close together.” The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? Always remember how much you love what you do, even on the tough road. And when it gets hard, always remember there are also always great horses and great people along that road!
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Josh Shino Stachowski Farms
Years in industry: All my life ... my mother is a trainer! Divisions of Expertise: Halter, Showmanship, Hunter, Western, Working Western, Equitation, Saddle Seat, English Pleasure, Native Costume, Show Hack Role at Stachowski Farms: Assistant Trainer, 3 years now, both at the California and Ohio locations. Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. Honestly, I have wanted to train Arabian horses for as long as I can remember. I was so fortunate to grow up in a house with a horse trainer, so I got to experience all the love and excitement that the Arabian horses brought into our lives. My mom has been such a great example and inspiration to me. She has worked so hard for something that really doesn’t pay back much, but I could tell how dedicated she was to her job, because it really showed through her riders’ and horses’ success. I knew that I always wanted to be just like her, and do something that we are both so passionate about. What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? One thing I was blessed to be able to do as a youth, is compete in so many different disciplines, which I believe helped me grow so much as a rider and an instructor. It taught me to not just focus on the division or the competition, but on learning and growing with each individual horse, and that every horse is different. Every horse is special and has different w ays of interpreting and learning things. I truly believe that training each horse should be the same concepts, whether it is an English horse or a western horse, but you have to understand that just because it is the same concepts, each horse has to learn in their own way. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. To always put the horses f irst … no matter what. Whether it is deciding if a horse should show or not, what type of shoes to put on it, if the horse is the right f it for the rider, staying late at the barn to keep an eye on a sick horse, etc., I do this because I simply love horses. I couldn’t imagine my life without them and we are so lucky to work with such incredible animals. It is important to think about what is best for our horses and to always put them f irst. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? You must be completely dedicated to your job to make this work. It is so many long, sleepless nights, and physical work all day long. It is exhausting, but if it is what you are truly passionate about, then it is completely worth it. That feeling of seeing your horses and riders compete and grow together is worth every ounce of hard work, sweat and tears that we put into this job. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
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Mary Mag Wilson Stachowski Farms
Years in industry: 12 Divisions of Expertise: Saddle Seat Equitation, Equitation, English divisions Role at Stachowski Farms: Trainer and Lesson Instructor for the Youth and Adult Amateur riders at the Calif. facility. Describe your ‘Aha’ moment when you knew you wanted to train Arabian horses. I started riding and competing at a very young age. My beginnings were in dressage and main ring hunter. At age 9, I was competing in a walk/trot class and needed a header at Region 12. After gaining the courage to ask John Rannenberg, he later introduced me into the saddle seat world on Dark Town Strutter. John’s influence to this day, impacts my success and initiated my itch to train Arabian horses. What do you bring to the Arabian horse experience that is particularly unique? My background with riding and showing different breeds adds a different viewpoint to my training experience. I’ve shown not only Arabians, but Saddlebred and Morgans as well. I’m proud to say I was the f irst Arabian rider on the 2013 inaugural USA Saddleseat Young Rider Team. This experience enhanced my ability to f igure out all kinds of horses and show them effectively in a limited, given time. Share the best advice you’ve been given for the work you do. Approach everything with an open mind; a learning mind. You will never stop learning as long as you keep the mind-set that everything works, because everything does work. There’s a time and a place for every single move. If you work on it enough, it will work. The Arabian horse training business is rife with crazy long hours and hard work—physically and mentally! What is one tip you employ that helps keep you at the top of your game? The environment in which you surround yourself def initely influences your outlook on the hard work necessary with this profession. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by hard working individuals who are always positive, working to accomplish similar goals and most importantly, have a love for the horses that makes the long hours and hard work worthwhile.
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Trainers Rob Bick & Caralyn Schroter | Smithfield, North Carolina | 919.202.8384 | www.rbcshowhorses.com
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“If you can dream it, you can do it!”
Eros Toi r EvElaTion
(Rfiretoi CMF x Eros Bona DEA)
MonochroME diva
(Monogramm JD x CJ Gypsy Rose)
sTla Fonda FanTasy
(Monogramm JD x DR Fonda Color)
M iss a MErica
(Red Foxxy Bar x Genial SU)
sanTE F E cool
(HJ Gold N Fame x Betty Bug)
Specializing in Western, Hunter, English and Show Hack
Ron & Yvonne Copple, Trainers Ron: (253) 381-3871
Yvonne: (360) 389-7871
coppleshowhorses@yahoo.com Olympia, WA
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ARABIAN HORSE TRAINERS
A BREED OF THEIR OWN Trainers are a breed apart. Ask a successful old-timer what skills are necessary for the modern Arabian trainer to thrive in today’s world, and he or she will offer a long list. Sure, you need to be able to school horses, but that’s only the start. Some veterinary knowledge is invaluable, as is a grasp of athletic training and sports medicine. And an empathy with animals—that instinctive understanding of how a horse is receiving the stimuli of its surroundings—can mean the difference between a very good performance and an exceptional, trophy-winning one. Then, if you’re going to keep the doors open, a basic knowledge of salesmanship and how business works is necessary, and if you’re planning to have clients, throw in a dash of psychology. Some of that is just hardwired into the good trainers, refined by experience and honed by luck, but when all is said and done, outstanding horse trainers aren’t found on every corner.
The truth is, the right trainer can make or break the experience for an owner or amateur, and certainly can mean the difference between a horse who loves its work and one who doesn’t want to come out of the stall. In the Arabian industry, competition for horses and clients is tough, but for owners, the selection of trainers is wide. There are men and women of all ages and experience levels, in halter or a myriad of performance disciplines. Some prefer to deal with only the horse and rider or handler’s involvement in competition, while others maintain breeding programs and offer expertise to the aspiring breeder. Overall, not many enjoy partying with their clients during a horse show (they’re too focused on making sure the horses do their best), but many enjoy productive friendships away from the ring. Trainers are the most public human faces in the Arabian horse arena. But who are they in real life and how do they meet the demands of their profession so well? To find out more, AHT went to the only ones who would know for sure: the trainers themselves, in this case, the names heard most often in 2016.
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CH A D BEA DN E L L
D AL T ON BU D D
Farm Affiliation: Empress Arabians
Select Show Horses
Years in the industry: 21
Years in the industry: 27
What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? Between hunter pleasure, show hack, country/English pleasure or even a hunter jumper; if the horse excels and is great at it, these four disciplines are all my favorite.
What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? English. This discipline requires a high degree of precision and timing to get peak performance.
How do you begin your day in the barn? I walk down the aisle and tell the horses and our great staff good morning. Then I get a cup of coffee and get organized with staff for the day before I work my first horse. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Skiing, swimming, eating out, watching favorite TV shows and family time. How do you balance your family and barn life? I try to see my family as much as I can over holidays, birthdays and Sunday dinners when the schedule allows. They are very understanding of the barn life. How many horse shows do you attend a year? Usually 8-10. What separates your barn from others? Empress tries to run like a normal business even though we work six days a week and on salary. We try to get the full-time staff out by 4:00 every afternoon and we’re fortunate to hire enough staff so that we aren’t at work until 7 or 8 o’clock every evening. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? My love for the horse(s), because the clients never have to worry about their horses care. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? I visit all the horses that did not go to the show we came from. Then I go home, shower, eat good food and catch up on some good TV shows.
How do you begin your day in the barn? Every day starts with coffee. Then I mark the work board to plan what each horse needs that day. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Watching the Green Bay Packers play and going to Kid Rock concerts. How do you balance your family and barn life? I don’t. My whole family does this, so it works out. How many horse shows do you attend a year? Usually 19-20. What separates your barn from others? I think our youth and amateur focus is one thing. And the fact that we show in both the Arabian and Saddlebred circuits. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? Maybe my work ethic. I don’t quit until the job is done. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Walk the barn and check on everything. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? Hopefully I’d be remembered as a good person, and a good horseman.
If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? For loving the horse, because I always put them first.
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CH RIST Y H IGMA N C L EMENTS
PR ISC I L L A C L U F F
CHC Training
Farm Affiliation: GRK Farms
Years in the industry: 40
Years in the industry: 20
What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? I love all of the English disciplines. I especially enjoy teaching equitation to my students, because it’s all about horsemanship and getting the most out of your horse through proper form.
What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? Western pleasure. I love the challenge of teaching a horse how to collect and maintain selfcarriage. I also love showmanship, as it fosters a bond between horse and handler.
How do you begin your day in the barn? I take off my flip flops and put my boots on.
How do you begin your day in the barn? By checking on all the horses, dragging the arena, and writing the day’s schedule on the white board.
When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Spending time with my family.
When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Spending time with my husband and our daughter. We love to be together as a family.
How do you balance your family and barn life? It’s tough. I give 100% to both, so I end up being very tired!
How do you balance your family and barn life? I don’t. I just go with the flow and it all works out most days. My husband is a patient man.
How many horse shows do you attend a year? About 8.
How many horse shows do you attend a year? We show at 4 major shows and 5 class A/all breed shows. I also judge 2 to 3 shows.
What separates your barn from others? I have a relatively small operation in comparison to others. I like it this way because I can give the needed attention to everyone and all the details. I’m a little crazy about the details! What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? I would guess my honesty and hard work. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Kiss my kids and my husband. What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? A riding whip. They view it as a weapon, but I explain to them it is simply a tool. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? For all the happiness and joy I have brought to everyone around me, especially my family. Even if it was only a smile that made someone else smile.
What separates your barn from others? I believe GRK Farms is fairly unique in that we have a robust breeding program that involves training and marketing our young prospects and show ready horses, along with having a robust youth and amateur program. Gary breeds both halter and performance horses. We believe in the clients having a close relationship with their own horses. They prepare their own horses for lessons and put them away when the lesson is over. We market our horses to our clients and encourage a short term lease before purchasing. We also market our horses all over the country and the world. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? My clients love that I love their horses. It is that simple. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? I make sure that the horses are settled in and the barn is in order. What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? Even though this is not a device, I still think my answer is appropriate. For me, what it takes to train a stallion. A stallion cannot question its handlers constantly or someone will be seriously injured or even killed. Sometimes it takes more serious training methods to get this accomplished, but it is necessary. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? My passion for the Arabian horse.
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CH RIS CUL BRETH Culbreth Equine Training & Management Years in the industry: I got my first Arabian in 1970. I was regularly attending the Arabian Horse presentations at the Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal Poly, Pomona that same year, but have been involved with Arabians my entire life. When I was 13, I worked after school and weekends at a stable owned and operated by Joe Benes. Mr. Benes was a corporal stationed at the Kellogg Ranch while it was a remount for the Army in the 1940s. He was the groom whose duty was to take care of Witez II and other notable horses which were rescued from Europe during World War II. In 1980, I went to work for Bill and Mary Ann Hughes’ California farm, who lived next door to Norm Dunn, and shared a back fence with Frank McCoy. Just down the street was Jim Kline; so, I grew up surrounded by Arabian horse royalty and I believe these influences had a large impact on my path to this industry. What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? Arabians are well suited for a myriad of disciplines and I enjoy them all. Anytime I can train, show or watch a quality horse doing what it does best, that is my favorite discipline. How do you begin your day in the barn? I live on the farm that my wife, Michele and I own, so my commute is short. My two dogs, Stan and Kyle, walk with me to the barn. I review the lesson and training boards to see what the day has in store for us, check emails and return phone calls, while Stan and Kyle each get the last bites of my breakfast sandwich. I then head out to ride.
What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? My wife is my strongest asset. They all love working with her. Michele is organized, thorough and pleasant to be around. I asked my always humble wife this same question and she said it’s my ability to give a great riding lesson and explain not just what a rider needs to do, but why they should do it. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? I will walk around the entire farm, checking all the horses first. I look to see how the facility is holding up. Because I personally planted every one of our trees and plants, I like to see how they are all doing. I end in the office to address any important messages or notes. What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? That’s an interesting question. Every tool we use while training horses can be used correctly or incorrectly. To the public, any training tool can be misinterpreted as to its use. I feel that the biggest misunderstanding comes from a lack of outreach in educating the public about what we do and how we do it. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? I would like to be remembered as a Horseman above all things. I feel that being a Horseman is a lifelong journey. It is not a term I take lightly. It is so much more than just being someone that works with horses. It embodies someone who not only understands horses, but works diligently to honor them and their heritage, ensuring the future of all horses.
JOE L GA N GI Gangi, Inc. / Boisvert Farms Years in the industry: 45
When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Working on the farm. Throughout developing our own property, I’ve learned many useful skills that help me to save on costs which also gives me a personal satisfaction of accomplishment. Any time that I can spend with my dogs also makes me happy.
What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? I enjoy the English/country discipline. I think it is more in line with the true characteristics of the Arabian horse—spirit, courage and neck hinged high up over the horse’s shoulder.
How do you balance your family and barn life? My wife and I are intimately involved in the Arabian horse business. Our lives revolve around Arabian horses, our clients and our pets, which form a large part of our family. We also like to visit with family that reside nearby. How many horse shows do you attend a year? We compete at approximately 16 shows per year. In addition to competing, I usually judge between 5 and 10 shows annually. What separates your barn from others? I have the ability to train, coach and compete in many different disciplines.
How do you begin your day in the barn? I walk my barn aisle checking each horse to make sure they had a good evening. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? I play tennis 3-5 days a week. I’m also working on my Master’s degree in Sports Management at LSU.
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How do you balance your family and barn life? My business is 24/7. So I inject my other activities into my daily life accordingly. Time-wise, business occupies about 30% of my day. The rest of the day is for other fun activities!
CHA D J U D Y Farm Affiliation: Empress Arabians Years in the industry: 29
How many horse shows do you attend a year? Probably 8.
What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? Well, I love all of them, but show hack has been so helpful as a horseman. It’s made me slow everything down and really gets horses and riders to think while in a class.
What separates your barn from others? I love to have fun in life. Horses and life are just fun for me. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? I’m brutally honest. I think that is self-explanatory. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Check my barn. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? I loved God and tried to help as many people as I could while here on earth.
L EA H GOL L A DAY Farm Affiliation: Cedar Ridge Arabians
How do you begin your day in the barn? Coffee … black. Then I meet with my staff to create a plan of attack for our day. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? I truly love to go running with my son, Preston. I also enjoy watching movies, biking, roller blading, skiing and just spending time with my family. How do you balance your family and barn life? This has been the hardest for me; my work is my life. Much of my family isn’t involved in the horse industry, so I spend as much time with them as possible when I’m not working.
Years in the industry: 25
How many horse shows do you attend a year? Anywhere from 8-10.
What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? I think Park is my favorite discipline. I feel like the fact that manners aren’t as big of a factor means that you can ride to get the most out of your horses, without having to worry about mistakes!
What separates your barn from others? It’s a very positive barn. I want to have people that work with me, want to be there and love what they are doing. I want everyone to always put the horse first!
How do you begin your day in the barn? Marking the board for the day’s work!
What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? I hope they would say that I love what I do and that I always give 100%. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? I go see my son, get dinner and rest!
How many horse shows do you attend a year? Seven to 10.
What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? I think the general public does not understand our use of a whip. It is a tool, not punishment. I feel whips can be used incorrectly a lot and that makes horses afraid of it. Correct use of a whip, is a horse that has no fear when a whip is used.
What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? I think I’m pretty good about listening to what the client wants out of a situation and making it meld, as closely as possible, with what the horse and rider are capable of.
If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? My commitment to do my best, my love for the horse, and that I truly wanted to be the best horseman I could be.
When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? In the last few years, most of my time outside the barn is devoted to my kids, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Catch up with my kids! Ar abian Horse Times | 176 | Volume 47, No. 10
J IM L OWE
MIKE M I L L E R
Lowe Show Horse Centre
Farm Affiliation: Springwater Farms Arabians
Years in the industry: As long and old as dirt! What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? English. I love the speed … how to get it, shut it down, then juice it back up again—it’s a rush, and I’ve always been an adrenalin junkie. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Anything and everything with my family. Whatever they like to do: basketball, the pool, riding or shopping. They are a joy to watch when Shawn brings up something funny on the computer for them to see and laugh at. How do you balance your family and barn life? I wake up early and put family first … then work. It’s pretty simple. I love having them with me at work and shows. I like to keep them close as much as I can. How many horse shows do you attend a year? 15. What separates your barn from others? I live and breathe for my clients. I am in it for the journey with them; I will do anything for anyone for them to succeed. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? My willingness to learn new things and help them in their journey to find success in whatever that may be for them. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Get over my horse show hangover. What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? The tongue tie. It helps train the horse to put his tongue in the right place. Some tongues are busy, some are fat, or their pallet is small and there isn’t a lot of room. The tongue tie helps keep the bit off the bars and helps settle their mouth.
Years in the industry: 37 What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? I truly love working a variety of divisions; each has their own challenges. If I have to choose one, my true love is the English horse. I love the feeling of balance and impulsion. When it is all going right, there is no feeling like riding a great horse, trotting down the rail, ears up, and driving from behind! When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Spending time with my family, doing home improvements and tinkering around the house and yard. How do you balance your family and barn life? I am in the fortunate position of working a private farm and showing a somewhat limited show schedule. My family understands there are times the horses come first, but I make a concerted effort to be there for them. How many horse shows do you attend a year? We attend 6-8 shows, including two regionals, the East Coast Championships and U.S. Nationals. What separates your barn from others? I think in a word, family. Springwater currently consists of all family owned horses. Our show schedule is based on attending quality shows, balanced with having time to spend with our families. And everyone understands that there are times that family commitments have to take priority. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? My willingness to work with amateurs to train their horse to their capabilities and work with them both until they get it right. And that I am approachable and open minded to their opinions and concerns.
If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? He sure did a good job with his kids. He loved them and loved Shawn.
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ERICA MIL L IGAN
ZAC AN D L I S A POW E L L
Milligan Training
Powell Training Center
Years in the industry: 16 years What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? I love them all, but probably western pleasure, because I love the technicality of it. How do you begin your day in the barn? My day in the barn starts off with feeding all the horses, followed by turnouts and mucking out stalls. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? I’m usually never far away from the barn, but if I am, I enjoy helping out on the grain side of farming. How do you balance your family and barn life? The best way to balance family and barn life is to have your family come hang out at the barn! How many horse shows do you attend a year? Anywhere from 9 to 10. What separates your barn from others? We are more like family, than trainer and client. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? Every horse that comes into my care is treated and loved like my own. They never worry about the care of their horse. They are fed 3 meals a day, turned out, worked, bathed and groomed. They come for a lesson or visit and see happy horses. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Check in with all the other horses that didn’t come. What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? Leg wraps, simply because they don’t understand the need for it. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? My absolute passion and love for the Arabian horse, because my motto was always, “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.”
Years in the industry: Powell Training Center was established 17 years ago. Both Zac and I have been active in the Arabian horse industry for over 40 collectively. What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? I don’t think that either Zac or I have a favorite discipline. We both like to ride a great horse no matter what discipline, and feeling the gratification of knowing you helped get the horse to that level. Although I will admit, there is no greater rush than riding a great English horse through the in-gate, especially for the first time. How do you begin your day in the barn? Check in on the horses or drag the arena before we get started and sometimes clean stalls. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Getting together with friends and family. We try to plan little trips when we can, to visit friends. Sometimes it’s just nice to relax and maybe go to a movie. How do you balance your family and barn life? It is not always easy to balance family and barn life. We see a lot more of our family during the winter months, going to hockey games on the weekends and during the holidays. During the show season, our family members will come visit at some of the local shows and we get together when we don’t have a show. How many horse shows do you attend a year? Around 8 to 10, depending on what shows our clients are interested in attending. What separates your barn from others? Our barn is a very close-knit group. Everyone is like a family and enjoys their time together. Some of our clients are in horses as a business, but most importantly, they have horses because of the social aspect and to be connected as a team. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? The care we give our horses. We treat each horse as if they were our own. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Walk through the barn to make sure everything and everyone is in good order. Then it’s time to sit down and open the mail. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? Both Zac and I can agree on this whole heartedly; to be remembered as great horsemen. It’s not always about the ribbon, but about the care you give your horses, and understanding what it takes to keep a horse healthy and happy to be a great show horse.
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S HA WN A N D CA RMEL LE R O O KER
CAR ALYN S C H ROT E R
Rooker Training Stable
RBC Show Horses, LLC
Years in the industry: 29 What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? English. How do you begin your day in the barn? Carmelle: I usually organize the work board for the day and do about an hour’s worth of office work before I start with my first horse. Shawn: Before I start on my horses, I meet with the vet and handle the breeding operations for the day. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? In the summer we enjoy going on the lake with family and friends. How do you balance your family and barn life? Fortunately, both of our kids, Makenna and Noah, are very involved in showing Arabian horses, so our family is always together. How many horse shows do you attend a year? 10-12. What separates your barn from others? Along with our strong breeding program, we have also been able to generate a lot of sales on high quality, young English horses. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? We are known for being very honest and reputable in all aspects of our business, from training and showing, to breeding, evaluating and selling horses at all levels. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Have a home cooked meal and get a good night’s sleep. What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? The Lunge Whip. Many people think it is used for training horses, when in fact, it is actually used to keep the dogs entertained while we are long lining. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? For being exceptional parents and horsemen/women.
Years in the industry: 25 years+ What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? I have had the privilege of showing all disciplines: western, English, park, hunter, driving, and halter. I love the hunter pleasure for its fluidity and simplicity of training, but difficulty in winning. Western pleasure for its technicality and challenge. English pleasure and park for its balance and energy, and halter for its beauty and personality. To me, all these disciplines come down to the horse that we are given and the heart and partnership we get to develop with them. How do you begin your day in the barn? I enjoy checking any foals that we have here at the farm. Then I usually check in with our secretary Janie, all of the employees and the horses in training. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? I really enjoy meeting with my friends, reading, and watching all of our other animals that we have at the farm. How do you balance your family and barn life? I have learned that this is a very important issue to address. I now set business hours and days off. I also am flexible and carefully consider what I can and cannot do. How many horse shows do you attend a year? 10-12. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? I am a great teacher. I am tenacious and creative. I enjoy adding fun and humor to our learning curve. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Sleep and enjoy peacefulness at home in nature. What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? I am not sure that it is any ‘one’ device. I believe the frame and movement of the Arabian show horse in the pleasure classes is often misunderstood. A possible solution to this is education and open mindedness of all things in question. Horse training is not rocket science. It is a lot of patience, time and consistency. If one was to approach a unique situation with a mindset of, ‘there is no right or wrong … there just is,’ we could live without judgement of others. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? My resiliency, strength and sense of humor. I am also willing to learn and grow, and love to share with others. I think my friends would say my distinct laugh!
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T IM SH EA
CATH Y V I N C E N T
Shea Stables
Adandy Farm
Years in the industry: 50. Purchased my first Arabian in 1967 and 1971, became a fulltime professional. What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? Any English saddle seat discipline you are showing where the horse goes in the ring and really excites the crowd. When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? Working out at the gym and enjoying our house on Mackinac Island. What separates your barn from others? Other than the Linigers, who have been our clients for 27 years, we have no others. Everything is available to the public. We do not hold back horses for ourselves to show; all the horses in training are available for purchase. There have been multiple horse trainers that have found their hallmark dream horse at our facility, many of which have had historical significance. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? The horses are developed slowly and not pushed. It has been the philosophy of the Linigers from the beginning and it has been strongly adhered to. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? For the first half of our career, when we trained and exhibited for the public, we won multiple National Championships with many of the greats of the industry. In the second half, together with the Linigers, we bred and developed many of the best and historically significant horses in the Arabian world. We are proud to have been associated with the finest people and horses in the business.
Years in the industry: Since 1968. What is your favorite discipline to ride or handle and why? We’ve trained a lot of great halter horses, but I prefer English horses. I love to judge and watch all of them, but we predominantly train English pleasure and halter horses. How do you begin your day in the barn? With the office, which I do as quickly as I can. Then I meet my girls while they are conditioning halter horses. We then train as many horses as I can in a day, probably 25 to 30. We have a good team: Megan LeDuc and Alayna Mala. Sergio Morales has been with me for 19 years. He conditions horses and does all the maintenance and landscaping—he’s like family! When not in the barn, what do you enjoy doing? I’m a gardener. I love flowers and a good glass of red wine. I do a lot of planting. How do you balance your family and barn life? I’m not married and don’t have children, so my girls and the people I work with are my family. How many horse shows do you attend a year? About 8 or 9. What separates your barn from others? We pay a little more attention to detail and we take seven to 10 horses to a show. We give amateurs extra time. We are very articulate with the horses as we don’t have a ton in the barn. We are compassionate and spend more time with the owners. We spend a lot more time on them and their horses. We give a little more TLC. What would your clients say is your strongest asset and why? We have a lot of team spirit. I never say no and never say never. I don’t want to let them down or disappoint them. When you come home from a show, what is the first thing you do? Unload the rig and laundry! I organize, check the flowers, do weeding, watering, and then back at it again the next day! What is one training device that the general public does not understand the meaning of and why? A bitting harness. We do a lot of bitting and people don’t understand the device. If you were to leave this world today, what would you hope you would be remembered for and why? For having a positive attitude, smiling, keeping people’s spirits up and appreciating everything you got. Like I said before, I never say no and never say never.
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2016 HALTER & PERFORMANCE TRAINERS Includes Scottsdale and U.S. & Canadian National wins No Sport Horse or Dressage classes.
H ALTER BY P OINTS (CH: 10; RES: 8, TT: 5 Halter Qual. 1st: 7, 2nd: 6, 3rd-10th: 4)
1. Andrew Sellman 2. Sandro Pinha 3. Michael Byatt 4. Ted Carson 5. Keith Krichke 6. Rodolfo Guzzo 7. David Boggs 8. Alcides Rodrigues Jeff Schall 9. Joe Alberti
304 225 218 185 184 170 157 145 145 133
P E RFORMANCE BY P OINTS (CH: 10; RES: 8, TT: 5)
1. Crystal McNutt 2. James Lowe 3. Jason Krohn 4. Joe Reser 5. LaRae Fletcher Powell 6. Jessica Bein 7. Joel Kiesner 8. Cody Ralston 9. Gordon Potts 10. James Stachowski
230 160 152 135 127 120 119 114 104 103
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From AmAteur to ProFessionAl ... Mike Grimm What was the hardest part about becoming an amateur again? It wasn’t hard because I was living in an expensive city and had to work a lot to pay my bills. I stepped away from horses altogether for a couple of years. This is the best thing I have ever done, because I was able to focus on my life and it made me appreciate all parts of the horse industry even more.
What has your path been in the industry? (How did you get started? What lead you to become a trainer? How long did you train the first time?) My path has kind of been here, there, and everywhere. After growing up showing horses, I headed off to college and two years later I decided college life was not for me. I teamed up with Teri Sherman and started training out of Sherwood Arabians in Cambridge, Wisc. until 2001. How did you come to the decision to become an amateur again? In 2001 I decided I was ready to try something new and explore a different part of the country. I shut down Mike Grimm Training, packed my bags and moved to Boston, Mass. One month before my move, 9/11 happened. It was tempting to change my plans and remain in Wisconsin; resuming a life among friends and family and pick up where I left off. Ultimately, I knew I needed to stay on track and make it on my own to prove to myself I could do it. My German/Polish background makes me a bit stubborn.
Other breeds outside of USEF are much stricter in giving trainers back their amateur status. Do you feel our system is fair? What would you change? I think the USEF system is fair. People have different reasons for relinquishing their professional status and should be encouraged to participate in the industry in any capacity they are comfortable with. I do think amateurs who have trained should be excluded from showing in Select Rider classes. As an amateur, I never showed in Select because I do not think showing against less experienced riders follows the spirit of the leveling classes. What made you decide to become a professional again? As we all know, once you get Arabian horses in your blood, it’s hard to let go! I spent 15 years as an amateur and loved every minute of it. During that time, I met my partner of 15 years, completed my college education, worked in the corporate world, traveled, and had an opportunity to work with talented trainers. I realized that life is short and I’d rather be teaching horses and people than sitting in an office in front of computer screens. What is life like now? Close to perfect. I have a house, three dogs, a partner in crime, and am living in a city I love. I typically spend six days a week at the beautiful Glass Horse Farm in Raymore, Mo. I intentionally limit my business to a select number of training horses because I don’t want a big operation. I want to know the ins and outs of every horse I am lucky enough to train every day. I like the relationship I can build between myself and a smaller number of horses and owners.
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Did you feel you were judged by your change in status? I never felt I was judged unfairly due to the change in my status. I had an advantage since I spent nearly 10 years out of regional or national competition, so when I returned, many people had no idea who I was! The only pressure I felt was on myself.
There will always be amateurs who feel it isn’t fair that professionals are allowed to return back to their ranks. How did you feel about that? I see their view and I respect it. I did not show for a few years for that reason. In the long run, many factors are involved in a trainer’s changing their status. What luxuries did being an amateur provide you that you might not have had as a professional? Not having to set-up or tear down stalls at a horse show! There are so many hours that go into preparing for a horse show: pre-show work, transporting horses, setting up, working horses, showing the horses, making sure my clients are pleased with their horses, and tearing down and then driving home. I miss showing up, hanging out with friends, riding in classes, and leaving. With that said, I wouldn’t trade my current situation for the world. This is what I was meant to do. If you could pass along one piece of advice to amateurs/youth members who want to train someday, what would it be? Don’t rush it. Go to college, get training in a vocation, or work and support yourself for a while. Travel, learn the importance of customer service and be humbled by how big the world is. Horses and horse shows will always be here. Training horses is a privilege that should not be taken lightly. Knowing yourself and understanding why you want to train horses as a profession is a big part of the equation. n Photo by Mane Event Promotions Ar abian Horse Times | 183 | Volume 47, No. 10
Leaders Of The Times:
A Jericho (A Jakarta x Destiny VF, by TF Psymreekhe)
“He is probably the hottest young stallion globally today.” That’s a strong statement about A Jericho, the 5-year-old sensation owned by Jean and Allan Abel, of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. But David Boggs stands behind it—and he supports it with facts. “For a young stallion, he’s had an extremely high percentage of champions,” Boggs says. “Breeding purchases for him now are worldwide.” North America provides a good example of what he means. As of April 1, 2017, there were only 10 foals registered in the United States and Canada to the son of A Jakarta, but already, they signify a remarkable strike rate at some of the most prestigious shows in the halter world.
Of his first six representatives, four have debuted to honors at top events as yearlings. It all began at Scottsdale, where Star Of Jericho (from Lady Jeanette) was named the unanimous Signature Champion Yearling Filly. Two months later, Angel Of Jericho (out of Lady Aria ORA) invaded Las Vegas and scored resoundingly. Angel Of Jericho was named ABHA Legacy Futurity Champion Filly, scoring a full five points ahead of her nearest challenger. Another bright light of the 2015 foal crop, Jerichos Cajun Lady (out of the Cajun Prince HCF daughter Louisiana), arrived in Scottsdale this
Ar abian Horse Times | 184 | Volume 47, No. 10
Angel Of Jericho (A Jericho x Lady Aria ORA)
year and was awarded the Signature Reserve Championship in 2-Year-Old Fillies. And who’s left to come out from that freshman class? The youngest of the group: the breathtaking princess Wieza Ariha, out of Wieza Mocy, whose list of achievements literally spans the world. She was named champion filly at the Salon du Cheval, Polish Nationals and European Championships, and followed that up with U.S. National Champion Mare, the prestigious Scottsdale Champion Mare, and AHBA World Cup Gold Champion Mare in Las Vegas. The 2016 foal crop is stepping up to the plate as well. Not all are even a year old on the calendar yet, but from those that are, the beautiful youngster Jerichos Cover Girl, a daughter of multi-national champion Anna Marie BHF, will be competing in the AHBA World Cup in Auction Fillies. Internationally, one of the most anticipated young faces is Sultana Al Arja, bred by Al Mahhan Arabians in Kuwait. The impressive part is, as David Boggs emphasizes, that these results have emerged from such a limited offering. Demand has sparked
Wieza Ariha (A Jericho x Wieza Mocy)
quickly, however, and Boggs now reports foals—or mares in foal—in South America, the United Arab Emirates, Europe and Saudi Arabia, as well as at home in the United States and Canada. “He has been extremely popular this last breeding season,” Boggs nods. “He’s a very strong producer of beauty and type, refinement, balance, and most notably, beautiful eyes and short, dishy faces.” So, who is A Jericho? A royally bred sire who is a spectacular show horse himself. By A Jakarta, and out of Destiny VF, by TF Psymreekhe, A Jericho was named Scottsdale Signature Champion Yearling Colt, ABWC Silver Supreme Champion Yearling Colt and Gold Champion Futurity Yearling Colt, and finally, U.S. National Reserve Champion Yearling Colt. “Jericho performed extremely well,” Boggs confirms. He doesn’t rule out the stallion returning to the show ring, but it’s not the priority. “For now, it’s about showing the world his babies. His owners, Jean and Allan Abel, enjoy a small, but very selective, breeding farm, and they’re concentrating on letting his foals build his future reputation, one champion at a time!” n
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In Memoriam Mickey Womble (1952-2017)
Mickey Womble of Rome, Ga., passed away on March 2, 2017. He is survived by his wife Dee Dee, his son Benjamin, and his daughter Sarah Beth. Mickey’s accomplished career path took him from ownership of an Atlanta CPA firm, to President and CEO of several Georgia community banks, to owner and CEO of SouthLife Homes, a residential homebuilding company. Despite battling cancer for twenty years, Mickey was blessed with a full life. He was an avid pilot and enjoyed golfing, hunting and cattle farming with Benjamin. Both kids were his constant competitive fishing buddies. He owned Belvedere Farm LLC and bred and trained both halter and performance Arabians. Mickey enjoyed every aspect of the Arabian industry: breeding, training, showing, and especially making lifelong friendships through a mutual love of the breed. His love for the Arabian horse ran deep and was shared with Sarah Beth beginning with her lead line years. He was Sarah Beth’s biggest fan and supporter, in and out of the show ring, and treasured his time spent with her involving Arabian horses. He was proud to know that his love of Arabians will continue through her.
Express Yourself+// (1990-2017)
The remarkable, multi-national champion Half-Arabian mare, Express Yourself+//, passed away at the age of 27 on January 24, 2017. In a show career that spanned over a decade and a breeding career that spanned another, she accomplished 17 National and Reserve Championships, and her offspring have followed in her footsteps. She was greatly loved and cherished by so many. Christena and Ashleigh Ferran will miss her greatly. More than any show ring accomplishments, she was part of their family and a huge part of their hearts. RIP precious girl, and enjoy the green pasture in the sky. You will be missed in and out of the ring by so many that loved you through all your years.
Thank Ghaz (1998-2017)
Born April 6th, 1998, to breeders Stuart Vesty and Sandy Jarvis, Thank Ghaz went on to win five National Champion and Reserve titles, as well as eight Top Ten honors in Country Pleasure Driving, Country English Pleasure, Gelding In-Hand and Saddle Seat Equitation for his owners Lindsay Rinehart, Wendy Zehnder, and Kristin and Kiira Harkins. He cut a striking figure in the show ring and now holds a special place in the hearts of those who loved him.
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Calendar Of Events REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
May 8-13, 2017, Region 12 Championships, Perry, Georgia. www.aharegion12.com May 17-21, 2017, Region 1 Championships, Del Mar, California. www.aharegionone.org May 31-June 3, 2017, Region 9 Championships, Fort Worth, Texas. www.region9aha.org June 8-10, 2017, Region 8 Championships, Denver, Colorado. www.aharegion8.org June 13-18, 2017, Region 10 Championships, St. Paul, Minnesota. www.region10arabians.com June 19-24, 2017, Region 4 Championships, Nampa, Idaho. www.aharegioniv.com June 20-25, 2017, Region 2 Championships, Santa Barbara, California. www.ahareg2.org June 21-25, 2017, Region 13 Championships, Springfield, Ohio. www.region13.net June 28-July 2, 2017, Region 14 Championships, Lexington, Kentucky. www.aha14.com June 29-July 1, 2017, Region 6 Championships, Douglas, Wyoming. www.aharegion6.com June 29-July 1, 2017, Region 18 Championship, London, Ontario, Canada. www.region18.on.ca July 5-9, 2017, Region 11 Championships, Lake St. Louis, Missouri. www.aha11.com July 5-9, 2017, Region 15 Championships, Lexington, Virginia. www.region15.com July 6-9, 2017, Region 5 Championships, Monroe, Washington. www.regionv.com July 7-12, 2017, Region 3 Championships, Rancho Murieta, California. www.arabianhorses3.org July 12-15, 2017, Region 16 Championships, West Springfield, Massachusetts. www.region16.org July 26-30, 2017, Region 17 Championships, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. www.region17.com
SHOWS
May 25-28, 2017, Ohio Buckeye Sweepstakes, Columbus, Ohio. www.buckeyesweepstakes.com June 5-10, 2017, Egyptian Event, Lexington, Kentucky. www.pyramidsociety.org September 14-16, 2017, NSH Finals, Springfield, Illinois. www.nshregistry.org September 27-30, 2017, Arabian National Breeder Finals, Scottsdale, Arizona. www.scottsdaleshow.com September 29-October 1, 2017, Minnesota Fall Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota. www.medallionstallion.com
NATIONAL EVENTS
www.arabianhorses.org
July 22-29, 2017, Youth Nationals, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. August 13-19, 2017, Canadian Nationals, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. September 5-10, 2017, Sport Horse Nationals, Raleigh, North Carolina. October 20-28, 2017, U.S. Nationals, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
November 24-26, 2017, Salon du Cheval World Championships, Paris, France. en.salon-cheval.com *Go to www.arabianessence.com or www.ecaho.org for additional international shows and information. Visit www.ahtimes.com for a calendar view of these dates and more. Calendar listings are subject to change; please confirm dates and locale before making your plans or reservations. E-mail notices to: charlened@ahtimes.com. *Due to the intrinsic nature of these shows, Arabian Horse Times cannot be held accountable for their validity.
Ar abian Horse Times | 187 | Volume 47, No. 10
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Ar abian Horse Times | 188 | Volume 47, No. 10
Back By Popular Demand! 2017 YOUTH NATIONALS
YEARBOOK
2017 THEME
2 017 T H E M E
Vintage
Y O U R WA Y
Contact your sales representative today! Tony Bergren • 231-286-6085 • tonyb@ahtimes.com Lara Ames • 612-210-1592 • lara@ahtimes.com Wayne Anderson • 612-751-6897 • wayneand@ahtimes.com Lesley Blain • 608-751-2069 • lesley.blain3@gmail.com www.AHTimes.com • 952-492-3213 • 800-248-4637 Ar abian Horse Times | 190 | Volume 47, No. 10
JUNE
THE WEST ...
The rich history and present Breeders, Trainers, Owners and Horses of the Great West.
BREEDERS WORLD CUP COVERAGE ... Experience the Horses and Events of this Premier Show!
Back By Popular Demand! 2017 YOUTH NATIONALS
YEARBOOK
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Y O U R WA Y
Vintage Your Way!
Contact your sales representative today!
Visit with AHT at these events!
THE SOUTHEAST ...
Take a trip into the past, present and future of Southeastern Breeders, Trainers, Owners and their Horses.
CONTACT YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE TODAY
Lara Ames | 612-210-1592 | lara@ahtimes.com Tony Bergren | 231-286-6085 | tonyb@ahtimes.com Lesley Blain | 618-751-2069 | lesley.blain3@gmail.com
Ar abian Horse Times | 191 | Volume 47, No. 10
JULY
2 017 T H E M E
Vintage
YOUTH NATIONALS PREVIEW ...
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N A T I O N A L
C H A M P I O N
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Cindy McGown & Mark Davis | Mesa, Scottsdale & Rio Verde, Arizona | info@RoyalArabians.com | 480.220.1108 Rodolfo Guzzo: Halter Trainer | rguzzo@royalarabians.com | 619.200.6464 Justin Cowden: Performance Trainer | jcowden@royalarabians.com | 775.901.3029 Travis Rice: Sales & Marketing | trice@royalarabians.com | 614.315.3682
www.royalandguzzo.com Ar abian Horse Times | 192 | Volume 47, No. 10
Index Of Advertisers A
L
Adandy Farm ......................................................................7, 6-9English (68-71)
Lally Family, The ..............................................................................................40
Al Owaidah Arabian Stud ..............................................................................2, 3
M
Al Jood Stud..................................................................................FC, 12-23, BC Amazing Horse Woman, LLC.........................................14-15English (76, 77)
Ames, Hadley.............................................................................. 64English (126) Arabian English Performance Association ............................... 68English (130)
Arabian Hunter Pleasure Association ............................................................ 148
B Beadnell, Rich.................................................................................................... 38
Beethe Arabians .............................................................................32English (94)
Lowe Show Horse Centre .................................................14-15English (76, 77)
Maroon Fire Arabians ...................................................... 62, 1English (63), 188
Midwest ...........................................................................................................2, 3 Miller, Robin...................................................................................................... 37 Milligan Training ............................................................................................ 157
N Niedzalkowski, Judy ..........................................................................................40
Beloveds Farm .....................................................................................IFC, 1, 156
O
Boisvert Farm .....................................................................10-11English (72, 73)
O’Leary, Jean .....................................................................................................40
BL Ranch ...................................................................................... 22English (84)
C
Oak Haven Arabian Horses .................34-35English (96, 97), 61English (123)
Om El Arab ..................................................................................................... BC
Cedar Ridge Arabians, Inc.
P
Chase Harvill Training Center.....................................................31English (93)
Price Performance Horses ............................................................ 20English (82)
.............................................. 16-17English (78, 79), 64English (126), 194, IBC
Prestige Farms LLC ..............................................................4-5English (66, 67)
Christy Higman-Clements Training..........................................67English (129)
R
Copple Show Horses ....................................................................................... 171 Culbreth Equine Training & Management LLC ......................................... 150
R.O. Lervick Arabians .................................................................................... 188 RBC Show Horses........................................................................................... 170 Reilich, Bill & Shirley .................................................................. 23English (85)
D Deerfield Arabians ............................................................................................ 36 DePaolo Equine Concepts ..............................................................................8, 9
Rooker Training Stable .....................................................12-13English (74, 75) Royal Arabians ................................................................................................. 192
S
E EAC Equine LLC ...........................................................................................134
Schneiders ........................................................................................................ 189
Elgan, Emma Kate ..................................................................... 65English (127)
Shea Stables ....................................................................... 62, 1English (63), 188
Enz, Jonathan.....................................................................................................40
Showtime Training Center ...................................... 28-29English (90, 91), 134
Edenic Sport Horses........................................................................................ 188
Select Show Horses............................... 18-19English (80, 81), 62English (124)
Empress Arabians ........................................................................................34, 35
Show Season.................................................................................. 27English (89)
Equine Athletic Veterinary Services ..........................................69English (131)
Shuster Arabians ............................................................................12English (74)
F Forbis, Judith ................................................................................................ 10, 11
Frierson Atkinson ............................................................................................ 188
G Gilbert, Alexa ............................................................................. 63English (125) Golladay Training................................................................ 33English (95), IBC
Great Bend Ranch ............................................................................................. 41 GRK Farms ...................................................................................................... 169 Guzzo Worldwide LLC .................................................................................. 192
H HA Toskcan Sun LLC......................................................25-26English (87, 88) Harris Arabians..................................................................25-26English (87, 88)
Hawk Haven Farms LLC ................................................................................. 45
Hegg, Mrs. Mickey ......................................................................................... 188 Hennesey Arabian Horse Partners .........................................47, 24English (86) Highland Pride Arabians ..............................................................33English (95)
J John White Stables ..................................................................... 65English (127)
K kgbTexas Communications .......................................................... 30English (92)
Kiesner Training ..................................................................... 61, 23English (85)
Silver Stag Arabians, LLC ..........................................................7, 9English (71) Smoky Mountain Park Arabians ....................................... 70English (132), 133
Southern Oaks Farm ......................................................................................... 61
Springwater Farms............................................................................................. 48 Stachowski Farm LLC ......................................................25-26English (87, 88)
Stewart Performance Horses........................................................................... 149
Sugar Hill Arabians...........................................................................................46
Summit Arabians ............................................................................................... 39
T Ted Carson Training ....................................................................................... 156 The Brass Ring ............................................................................. 30English (92)
The Hat Lady .................................................................................................. 188 The Patchwork Pony................................................................... 66English (128)
The Pyramid Society ................................................................................... 10, 11
Trowbridge’s Ltd......................................................................47, 24English (86)
V Varian Arabians ................................................................................................... 5 Vicki Humphrey Training Center ................................................21English (83)
W Weems, Peggy .................................................................................................. 149 Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc...................................................................... 188
King, Jacquelyn ............................................................................61English (123)
Kyrie Arabians ................................................................................................. 151
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The Ames Family Jordan, Minnesota | 952.492.2537 www.CedarRidgeArabians.com
Ames Inspiration and Lara Ames
Sincerest thanks to John and Leah Beth Golladay for all of their assistance with our horses in 2017. ~ Dick, Lollie & Lara
Toi Slamtastic CRF and John Golladay
Rohara Americanlegend+++// with Hadley Ames and Leah Golladay