Sport Horses and Al-Marah Arabians

Sport Horses and Al-Marah Arabians

by Mary Jane Parkinson

T

here is newfound fun and satisfaction

for exhibitors, breeders, and spectators at events that embrace the athleticism and disposition of the Arabian horse. Al-Marah Arabians is one of the most successful — if not the most successful — of the exhibitors in sport horse competition.

AM Good Oldboy

www.Al-Marah.com

*Bremervale Andronicus+

(Desperado x Bremervale Rhapsody)

2006 National Champion Sport Horse Stallion 2006 Canadian National Top Ten Stallion 2006 U.S. National Top Ten Stallion

I

n 2006, Al-Marah showed *Bremervale Andronicus (Desperado x Bremervale Rhapsody

by Bremervale Excalibur) to Champion Stallion and AM Power Raid (AM Double Dream x HH Maid Marian by AM Count Pine) to the reserve. In 2008, AM Good Oldboy (AM Sea Captain x AM Tis Beverlie

by Tsatyr) earned the title of leading sire of purebred winners in halter, performance, and in halter and performance combined; and with only two offspring showing, *Bremervale Andronicus tied for fourth place in the tallying for leading sire of halter winners.

“*Bremervale Andronicus and AM Power Raid exemplify all the desirable characteristics of sport horses,” says Bill Melendez, head trainer at Al-Marah.

“Add the blood of AM Good Oldboy to the offspring of these two stallions, and you have the ideal Arabian sport horse.”

What brought these honors to Al-Marah? Bazy Tankersley, owner of Al-Marah, explains: “The good fortune that we have had in showing sport horses is attributable to the fact that, for nearly 70 years, we have been breeding the kind of horses that sport horse judges are looking for. You could almost say that AM

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Left:

Al-Marah Loves Labour

(*Bremervale Andronicus+ x AM Dream Dove)

2008 Sport Horse National Champion Two-Year-Old Sport Horse Filly Jackpot Right:

Al-Marah Cleopatra

(*Bremervale Andronicus+ x AM Mighty Clemantine)

2008 Sport Horse National Reserve Champion Two-Year-Old Sport Horse Filly Jackpot Owned by Patricia DeAtley

Good Oldboy is the prototype sport horse. He is fourth-generation Al-Marah breeding and therefore very prepotent in throwing his qualities to his get.

They have great uniformity.” Bazy eagerly (and easily) included sport horses in her program of breeding and showing Arabians that horse enthusiasts will buy, breed, and enjoy.

Spectators and judges generally recognize the Al-Marah horses as well-conformed, good movers, and of extreme Arabian type. Further, they are especially user friendly, and amateur prospects find them to be extremely kind and willing individuals. “An amateur

can soon learn to do a good job showing sport horses,” says Bazy.

In in-hand competition, sport horses benefit from a judging system that gives owners and breeders immediate feedback as horses are individually presented. Through comments from judges, the owner gets immediate reinforcement of his/her showing, buying, and breeding decisions. Horses are shown individually and presented quietly from several angles so that they can be carefully assessed by the judges.

Both the in-hand and under-saddle classes are very stress free, another advantage for the horses.

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AM Good Oldboy+

(AM Sea Captain++ x AM Tis Beverlie)

“At 16 years old, National Reserve Champion Reining horse AM Good Oldboy began a new career as a hunter. The transition from reining to hunters was made easy due to his fabulous disposition and training. His flying changes are impeccable. He has never taken a second look at any fence and just loves to jump. The only challenge has been teaching him the rail work.

In the beginning he would rather lope than trot. I am very careful not to even think the word ‘Whoa’. He has turned into my most fun project”. ~ Dianne Grod

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Al-Marah Asterisk++ (AM Good Oldboy+ x AM Dream Sign) 2008 Sport Horse National Top Ten Sport Horse Stallion Open and ATH

AM Shouldabeenacowboy (AM Good Oldboy+ x AM Dream Lady) 2008 Sport Horse National Top Ten Sport Horse Gelding 2008 Sport Horse National Champion Sport Horse Under Saddle Junior Horse

AM Star OfHonor+++/

(AM Good Oldboy+ x Al-Marah Dorer)

2008 Sport Horse National Top Ten Sport Horse Gelding 2008 Sport Horse National Top Ten Working Hunter 2008 Sport Horse National Reserve Champion Working Hunter ATR 2008 Sport Horse National Reserve Champion Hunter Hack Open and ATR

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AlMarah Star Zone (AM Good Oldboy+ x NS Sarazona) 2008 Sport Horse National Champion Two-Year-Old Sport Horse Gelding Jackpot

AM HeyYou Star+++/ (AM Good Oldboy+ x AM Dream Playmate) 2008 Sport Horse National Champion Dressage Second Level

For exhibitors, the sport horse venue offers a relaxed atmosphere in which to present their entries; and amateurs and professional handlers/trainers alike enjoy a somewhat nonpolitical and relaxed environment.

“Sport horses are judged as ‘form to function’ related to their respective disciplines,” says Dianne Grod, Al-Marah sport horse trainer.

Owners, breeders, and handlers/riders all get along famously at sport horse events. “Exhibitors rooting for exhibitors,” says Dianne. “What could be better?”

“Competing in sport horse events is very laid-back and enjoyable,” says Bill Melendez. “Definitely less stressful than many main ring competitions. Exhibitors are there for only one reason: to enjoy and show their horses. The sport horse national venues, particularly those east of the Mississippi — horse country — offer backgrounds steeped in the traditions of showing and breeding horses. The easygoing schedule of the shows gives spectators time to explore the areas.”

In the Arabian ranks, respect for sport horses is steadily increasing. Exhibitors who usually frequent the

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AM Clem Dreamon

(Dreamazon+++ x Almarah Demitasse), pictured with Bazy Tankersley.

main arenas are finding new niches for certain of their horses. Exhibitors and spectators from outside the Arabian world have developed admiration and positive opinions about the athletic ability and the enjoyable temperaments of the Arabian horse. Misconceptions of the flighty nature of the Arabian horse are dispelled left and right, as exhibitors compete and win with Arabians. Many of those “converts” have become some of the best ambassadors of the breed.

Al-Marah Arabians is deep into the fun

and rewards of showing sport horses. “We show approximately two-thirds of our show horses in sport horse competition and one-third in the regular show classes, particularly the western events: reining, trail, and western pleasure,” says Bazy.

If you want to see champion sport horses in the making, visit Al-Marah in Tucson, Arizona, and watch Dianne and Bill and amateur riders go through their easygoing, well-cadenced, beautifully turned-out training sessions. There, the motives and the rewards of sport horse competition become especially obvious.

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*Bremervale Andronicus+ Right: AM Power Raid+++/ Left:

(Desperado x Bremervale Rhapsody) (AM Double Dream x HH Maid Marian)

For more detailed information on Al-Marah’s educational, sale, and breeding programs, visit our Web site.

4101 North Bear Canyon Road Tucson, Arizona 85749-8640 tel: 520.749.1162 fax: 520.749.2572 info@al-marah.com

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