December 2013/January 2014

THE

a r a b i a n SPORT HORSE DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

Athena+++// & Rita Mason

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

THE

a r a b i a n

a r a b i a n SPORT HORSE

an

entice design

SPORT HORSE

M AG AZ INE

CONTENTS 16 breeder q&a: carol dimaggio Bright Future Farms

publication

entice-design.com

18 how to read a pedigree

by Arlene Magid

Publisher Cassandra Ingles

30 The Shagya-Arabian One Exceptional Sport Horse Breed

34 The 70-day stallion test

by Adele Furby

Editor Peggy Ingles Advertising (410) 823-5579

Cover Story

48 cloning a legend Tomatillo, the clone of Tamarillo

Website TheArabianSportHorse.com

42 Athena - goddess of dressage

50 half-arabian makes the medals CDE World Championships

52 reading reflections Effective Riding

Email

info@thearabiansporthorse.com

58 a wonder pony

by Tamara Boose

Submissions & Story Ideas Welcomed!

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Copyright 2014 All rights reserved.

No reproduction without written permission.

Bits and Pieces

68

USDF GAIG Championships

12

My Craigslist Bargain

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14

Biomechanics

Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships

26

The Tale of a Tail

66

Carol Darnell

67

A True Phoenix

72 USDF Year End Awards 74

USDF All-Breed Award Winners

81

Service Listings

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

December 2013/January 2014

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

BITS and pieces

Justine Jacoby & JM MR Rocky Bey

Mimi Stanley & EA Cygnus

Photo Courtesy of Justine Jacoby

DRESSAGE NEWS US Dressage Finals From November 7-11, the inaugural US Dressage Finals were held at KY Horse Park. The show was a national, head-to-head

Also on Friday, Justine Jacoby and her Half Arabian JM MR ROCKY BEY (Moonstone Bey V x Madame Muzzy {NSH}) rode in the non-championship First Level Test 3 Adult Amateur and earned a 66.290%.

competition that showcased competitors in adult amateur and

Purebred AAH JABASKASET STAR (Opus One x Crystal Jabask

open divisions, at Training Level through Grand Prix, competing

ER), owned by Wendy Schwagerman, was ridden by Jonni Adams-

on the national stage. It was an invitational Championship.

Allen in the Second Level Open Championship class, earning a

Three Arabian-bred horses were competing. On the first day,

64.008%.

there were non-championship classes open to all. Penelope Sachs

On Saturday, Justine Jacoby and JM MR ROCKY BEY rode in

rode her homebred Arabian cross mare GOOD LUCK CHARM in

their First Level Freestyle test, earning a 65.278% and an impres-

Second Level Test 3 Adult Amateur and placed 2nd with a score

sive 5th place!

•••

of 64.563%. Penelope and Charm were nationally ranked eventers before turning to dressage. On Friday, they showed in the

The Central States Dressage & Eventing Assoc. held their Dres-

Second Level Adult Amateur Championship and placed 5th with

sage Festival and Championship Show in September in Minnesota.

Mimi Stanley of Prairie Rose Training Center competed her 23

a 65.794%!

year old Arabian EA CYGNUS (Hayel Orion x Coranette) in his 75th Grand Prix test. They scored a 61.915% to place 2nd. Mimi rode her test in a snaffle!

Mimi also showed Half-Arabian PR CAPTAIN HOOK (R O Dameon {NSH} x PR Tarzana), owned by Sally Henry, to the Prix St. Georges Championship in a class of 11 competitors. Hook earned the FEI High Score of the show with a 66% on his Intermediare-1 test and placed 3rd in the Intermediare/Grand Prix Championship class.

Arabian KS FADLS PHOENIX (Fadl Attrak-Shun x LLA Latisha), owned and ridden by Melissa Lund, was Reserve Champion in the Intermediare/Grand Prix Championship class with a 64.432% Amy Kellen and her homebred Half-Arabian FAHRENHEIT BY Penelope Sachs & Good Luck Charm

FURIOSO (Fascination {Old} x Hal Gemini) placed 5th in the Prix St. Georges Championship class.

Sally Henry’s Half-Arabian WOLKENZORRO (Wolkenzauber

December 2013/January 2014

1881 Western Photography

BITS and pieces (continued)

Amy Ayres & LJS Sublime

Elaine Enick & EVG Allon Dunit

HUNTER/JUMPER NEWS

{AWS} x Midnight Lace HA) earned a bunch of ribbons with Mimi Stanley in Training & First Level classes.

••• The Arizona State Dressage Championships were held in Tucson November 2 & 3, open to Arizona residents and their horses

Our condolences to owner Elaine Enick and trainer Kristin Hardin on the loss of 9 year old Half-Arabian jumper EVG ALLON DUNIT (Saladins Allon x Jundunit {QH}) recently. He was found to have inoperable tumors after seeing blood in his stool.

that are nominated and earn qualifying scores at rated shows.

Kristin started him on his path to 5 National Championships

Amy Ayres and her Half-Arabian LJS SUBLIME (Scimitar {Hann} x

and 4 Reserves, plus many open show jumper wins, back in 2009.

BA Aprils Folly), bred by Marie Emrey of Lazy J Sporthorses, earned

At that time, Dunit still belonged to his breeders, Harold & Eliz-

the Championship in Second Level Adult Amateur. This pair were

abeth Green of Evergreen Arabians. Kristin Hardin

National Champions in First Level AAOTR and Reserve in First Lev-

chased him in 2010, and piloted him herself to 2 National and 1

el ATR at 2012 SHN. Additionally they earned 3 Top Tens in Train-

Reserve National Championships in addition to Wins at Scottsdale

ing Level and one in SHIH. Not bad for a then 5 year old!

and several Regional Championships. At the 2013 Sport Horse

•••

Elaine pur-

Nationals, Dunit won Reserve Champion HA/AA Open Jumpers.

The Rocky Mountain Dressage Society implemented a new

At open hunter/jumper shows, both Elaine and Kristin earned

perpetual challenge trophy in honor of long time members MaryJo

many ribbons on him, thanks to his speed and skill at leaving up

Hoepner and her Half-Arabian MADE IN THE SHADE (Ravenwood

the rails. Just last month, Dunit won a $1,000 .95m class, a $1,500

Flag x WR Nicki {Percheron}). The award is for Horse Of The Year

.95m Speed class and two 1.00m jumper classes. Godspeed Dunit!

Pennsylvania National Horse Show

Adult Amateur Grand Prix.

According to MaryJo, the trophy exemplifies how Shade makes

Arabian rider Alexandria Desiderio competed in the Pessoa/

her feel when riding him – he’s the kind of horse that gives you

USEF Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals, which had a whopping

wings. This year’s winner was Pat Roark and her PRE Alvaro. Re-

229 entries! It was a tricky, winding course with skinnies, no wings

serve was Heather Sanders and her Half-Arabian CP Mercury Bey.

and spooky fences in that arena. Alexandria finished in 9th place with three beautiful rides!

Alex competed the week before in the Platinum Performance/ USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals at the USET Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. After the Flat Phase & Gymnastic Phase, Alex was in an impressive 8th place out of 70 finalists. She was having a great round in the Jumper Phase when they had a jump down on a super challenging course which caused a lot of problems for riders.

During week one, the cute Arabian/Welsh gelding SILLY PUTTY

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

BITS and pieces (continued)

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

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Julia Davis & Fly Me To The Moon

Kristin Hardin & Al Marah Swift

EVENTING NEWS

with Skyler Fields competed in the Medium Pony Hunters. He finished 9th in the Handy Hunter, 11th in the Under Saddle and 16th

In early October, at the Woodside International Horse Trials, Half-Arabian TZAR TZ (Ta’Ez x Fairchild {OLD}) competed in the

over fences.

The NAL Pony Jumper Finals were on the last weekend, and an

Novice Horse Division. Owned and bred by Carol DiMaggio and

Arabian cross pony was entered. Arabian/Quarter Horse gelding

ridden by Alanna Regan, Tzar was 5th after dressage then had just

FLY ME TO THE MOON and Julia Davis had a great course until the

4 faults each on cross country and stadium to finish in 4th place

last when they missed a distance and pulled a rail. They ended up

overall. They placed 7th and 10th earlier in the season at two oth-

in 7th place overall.

er events at Woodside.

This pair helped their Zone team to a 4th place finish at Pony

Also at Woodside, Half-Arabian JUMPING JOE BAILEY (Joel-

Finals and won one of the Individual Jumper phases there out of

edojack {QH} x Ima Ryatt), owned by Michelle Abma and ridden

44! In May, they placed 5th at Devon out of 19.

by Lexie Barrow, finished in 6th place in Junior Beginner Novice

••• Arabian pony-sized stallion AL MARAH SWIFT (Al-Marah Quebec x Reem Al Fala) showed that size doesn’t matter when he com-

out of 23 entries. Lexie placed 5th on him at Copper Meadow in September. His owner has also been eventing him at Training level earning a 6th at Coconino and an 11th at Galway Downs.

•••

peted against horses last week in the Las Vegas National Horse Show. Ridden by Kristin Hardin in the 2’6” Hunter Classic, they placed 4th in a field of 20 horses.

Swift finished another open hunter show the following week with a Championship in the 2’9” Training Hunter division.

Fresh off of winning two Top Tens in Arabian Trail Junior Horse (5th) and Arabian Trail Futurity a month ago at US Nationals, it is no wonder Swift is sitting at the top of the AHA High Point Horse listing! He left Sport Horse Nationals as one of the winningest hors-

Mathieu Lemoine and Anglo Arabian QUICKNESS finished the Military Boekelo CCIO3* in 11th place out of 104 entries. This pair was in 13th place after dressage, in 5th place after cross country with just .4 time faults and had 12 faults in stadium jumping. This difficult courses and muddy footing took it’s toll, as only 62 horses completed.

A Russian rider, Igor Atrohov and his Anglo Arabian INDIGO PYRENEEN (49.90%) finished in 46th.

•••

es, with 4 National Championships (Green Working Hunter, 14.2 & Under Working Hunter, Hunter Hack Jr. Horse and Sport Horse

Mid-October, Anglo-Arabian ROCK WITH BACH (Family Star

Under Saddle Junior Horse) a Reserve Champion (Open Working

{AA} x MR Family {TB} ) and Taylor Blasey placed 2nd at the Middle

Hunter) and 3 Top Tens (Open Sport Horse Under Saddle, Sport

Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials in Junior Training over the week-

Horse In Hand Open & ATR). Swift won two Top Tens in Trail in

end.

2012 as well. He was also National Champion 2 Year Old Arabian Sport Horse Colt in 2010.

Playland Farm’s Half-Arabian PL IRISH PEARL (PL Diamond Hill {ISH} x PL Shirley) placed 25th in Open Novice at Morven Park.

This was her first time at Novice.

December 2013/January 2014

Carol Mingst Photo

BITS and pieces (continued)

Tzar TZ & Allana Regan

Maxime Livio & Cather de Gamel

The Young Horse World Eventing Championships were held at

Fourth Level test. Cross country consists of up to 45 jumps over a

Mondial du Lion at Le Lion d’Angers in France 17-20 of October. As

4 mile course at a bit over 20 miles/hour. The jumps can be up to

you would expect, there are several Arabian-bred horses entered.

1.20m (4’) with a maximum spread of 2.0m (4.5”) and maximum

In the CCI* for 6-year-olds there are 6 representing 3 countries.

drop of 2.0m. Stadium consists of up to 16 efforts at 1.20m with a

In the CCI** for 7-year-olds, there are 8 representing 4 countries.

spread of 1.60m (5’3”).

The winner in both Championships were ridden by France’s

October 23rd-27th was the 4* CIC at Pau, with 75 entries from

Thomas Carlile and both are out of Anglo Arabian mares! In the

8 countries. There were 5 Arabian-breds entered, all from France.

6 Year Olds, the top spot went to TENAREZE (19.16%) and to SI-

After dressage Anglo Arabian CATHAR DE GAMEL (41.24%) and

ROCCO DU GERS (21.48%) in the 7 Year Olds.

Maxime Livio were in 9th place with a score of 44.8. He added

Tenareze led the competition from the beginning with a 40.40 in dressage and double clears in cross country and stadium. Sirocco was in 2nd with a 38.10 after dressage, but moved up after double clears in both cross and stadium.

only 1.2 time penalties to his score on a challenging cross country course.

In stadium jumping, they delivered a double clear round to finish in 2nd place overall – just 0.5 points behind the winner, Wil-

Other placements were as follows:

liam Fox-Pitt on Seacookie TSF. They were the only pair in the top

6 YEAR OLDS (44 entries)

10 finishers to go double clear.

6th – TZINGA D’AUZAY (20.39%) - Nicolas Touzaint

Cathar De Gamel is a 2001 gelding, sired by Anglo Arabian

12th – NEREO CP – Albert Hermoso Farras

Quatar De Plape and out of Anglo Miss Mark De Gamel by Markus.

7 YEAR OLDS (61 entries)

He is the product of 9 generations of Anglo Arabian breeding. He

6th – SPES ADDIT’OR (19.79%) - Astier Nicolas

won the 3* at Haras du Pin in August and won the Grand National

9th - STANLEYVILLE (27.22%) - Kai-Steffan Meier

at Haras de Jardy earlier this month. This was their first 4* event!

21st – SATURNE CHAMPEIX TC (32.02%) - Francis Clement 27th – SAFRAN DU CHANOIS (12.74%) – Mathieu Vanlandeghem

It is a subject of debate which breeds of horses do best at this level of competition and many agree that the warmbloods are adept at lower levels than 4*. It seems that horses with more

41st – ESTIGMA (38.74%) - Eduardo Gortazar Arias •••

“blood,” i.e. Thoroughbred and Arabian, are necessary for the 4*s, as they also are for the long or classic format of 3 day events.,

In the world of international (FEI) level eventing, the highest

which include Road & Tracks and Steeplechase which require

level of difficulty is the 4-star, of which there are only 6 held an-

more endurance and stamina. Before the long format was all but

nually in the world. Our Rolex Kentucky, England’s Badminton

eliminated, Anglo Arabians ranked 3rd in the world for eventing.

& Burghley,

Australia’s Internat’l, Germany’s Luhmuhlen and

France’s Pau. At these events today, the dressage test is very similar to a

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

BITS and pieces (continued)

Photo Alaina Hower

Photo courtesy Lauren Kieffer

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Katy Groesbeck & Oz The Tin Man

Lauren Kieffer & Vermiculus

Chattahoochee Hills October Horse Trials featured some Anglo Arabians showing everyone how it’s done.

Lauren Kieffer competed her Anglo gelding VERMICULUS (Serazim x Wake Me Gently {TB}) in the Open Preliminary and fin-

We did a feature story on Joa & Kestrel in our Aug/Sept issue on p. 48. Kestrel bows at the end of each of his dressage tests – I wonder what the judges write down on their score sheets for that movement!

ished 4th on their dressage score of 31.70 after double clears on

Half-Arabian PL IRISH PEARL (PL Diamond Hill {Irish Draught} x

cross country and stadium. Ironically, Lauren also piloted the 1st,

PL Shirley) along with breeder/owner/rider Glenda Player, finished

2nd and 3rd place horses whom also all finished on their dressage

3rd in the Novice Horse Division. They finished on their dressage

scores! Quite an accomplishment when you realize Lauren was in

score of 37.5, having had two double clears in cross country and

Europe competing this month.

stadium!

•••

Winning the Preliminary Rider division was Regan Lafleur and her Anglo-sired ORIENT DES TOUCHES. This horse’s sire is Quatar

Native Californian Katy Groesbeck and her homebred Anglo

de Plape, sire of the 2nd place winner at Pau 4*, Cathar de Gamel.

Arabian gelding OZ THE TIN MAN (Sidi Of Magic x Regalbatim {TB})

These two are fresh off a 6th place finish in the American Eventing

were again named to the Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program

Championships in Jr/YR Preliminary.

list. Katy was named last year to the list and participated in the Cal-

Anglo Arabian RESEDA DE FLEYRES (30.13%) and owner/rider

ifornia training sessions with USET Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor.

Sher Schwartz took first place in the Sr. Beginner Novice division,

You can read about her experience HERE. The rider/horse pairs

moving up from 4th after dressage having added only 2.8 time

are chosen by the USEF and Eventing High Performance Dept. The

faults in cross country and a double clear in stadium. They won

riders must be 25 years of age or under and have achieved a quali-

this division here in August as well. This mare’s damsire is Quatar

fying result at the CCI2* level. The sessions are held in Florida and

de Plape.

California.

•••

Virginia Horse Center was the site of the well-attended Virginia Fall Horse Trials in October.

Katy relocated to the East Coast after the American Eventing Championships, then headed to Florida right after Fair Hill International. The Florida Training sessions will take place in Ocala Jan-

Half-Arabian IB KESTREL (Karneval {Trak} x Bella Gold) with

uary 20-24. O’Connor will conduct lessons under saddle, and ad-

his owner/rider Joa Sigsbee attempted their first CCI1*, and came

ditionally there will be a classroom component. Topics will include

away pleased with their 16th place finish. Although their dressage

theory, training and course design. There will also be presenta-

wasn’t their usual ranking, the cross country went fabulously until

tions by guest speakers on subjects including veterinary care and

a pilot error resulted in a run out at the last combination. They

stable management.

bounced back in stadium, with one of the top 3 rides. Kestrel is off now until February.

December 2013/January 2014

Judith Moore Photo

BITS and pieces (continued)

Sterling’s Brigadier SH

Laurent Jelowcki’s Half-Arabian team

BREEDER NEWS The California Dressage Society Champion Sport Horse Stal-

He was bred by Camelot Arabians in Bad Oldesloe, Germany. His

lion/Gelding for 2013 is the yearling Shagya colt STERLING’S

dam, Galina II is a Russian Arabian, bred by Kossack Stud and sired

BRIGADIER SH (Sterling Silver x Brook PFF), owned and bred by

by Vatican out of Gurba by Baghdad. She is classified as Elite by

Sterling Shagya Sporthorses.

the German Arabian Verband (VZAP).

Brigadier was 1st or 2nd at all of his shows this year, including Champion twice in the USDF Breeders Series.

Shagya-Arabians are an old, rare breed started in the AustroHungarian region from desert Arabians infused with other blood, then back to Arabians to create a war horse and today’s sport horse. Breeders utilize an inspection process similar to warmblood breeds to maintain high quality.

The California Dressage Society is one of the largest dressage organizations in the country, with over 4,000 members in 36 chapters.

DRIVING NEWS There were a few Arabian-bred ponies competing this year at the FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies in Pau, France.

Clair Lefort of France was driving Arabian/Welsh mare OULALA D’ECARNOY, a former broodmare and eventing pony, finished 27th in Single Ponies. The French team ended in 8th place overall. Just a month before, this same pair were named Champion of France having won both dressage and cones and placing 2nd in the marathon. They also won the Amateur Elite Grand Prix at Tarbes in August and won the CAI at Saumur and Lipica! In her eventing days, she was 1st or 2nd in 12 CCEs out of 16.

In the Pairs, Axel Mancoux had a Half-Arabian OURAGAN DES BARREAUX as one of his entries. Sired by Arabian KUIK, they were in 6th after Phase B, but ended up 18th overall. They were 1st at Lisieux, 6th at Minden, 5th at Sandringham & 3rd at Saumur this year.

In the team division, the four Arabian/Haflinger ponies driven

by Laurent Jelowicki, LEGENDE DES LIAUDAIS, MOUSSE DES LIODAIS, NUANCE DES LIODEYS and PINUP DES LIAUDAIS are all sired

At this year’s Neumünster (Germany) stallion licensing for

by the Arabian NEIJDIAK, a Polish/Russian cross. The team ended

Trakehners, one Half-Arabian stallion earned his breeding license.

up in 16th place after having placed 3rd at Lisieux, 5th at Saumur,

GABUN (Camaro {Trak} x Galina II), above, is a 2011 chestnut/

and 1st in the Amateur Grand Prix at Blaye Les Mines earlier this

white pinto was the only Arabian-bred presented and approved.

year.

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Craigslist

My

12

Bargain

by Sarah Stroup

I

love Craigslist. My obsession

eyes on Sarabi I knew she was going to

struggles along the way. She was a night-

with buying and selling things

be my once-in-a-lifetime horse, but that

mare to tie, I would spend hours trying to

on Craigslist is probably not the

would be a lie. To say Sarabi had a person-

catch her in the pasture, and for her first

safest or healthiest of obsessions, but

ality would be an enormous understate-

two months under saddle, she was ada-

many good things have come from it—in-

ment. I watched her prance around and

mant that “canter” meant bronc sideways.

cluding my Arabian/National Show Horse

toss her head and snort, as if to say, “In-

However, it was Sarabi’s opinionated na-

cross jumper, Glamour Girl SK, fondly

ferior beings, bask in my magnificence!”

ture that led me to discovering her true

known as “Sarabi.”

Although she was well built and a super

talent: jumping.

The year was 2010, and I was a poor

cute mover, I thought that she was going

Sarabi had become extremely at-

college sophomore. I was also horseless

to be way too much of a project for me. I

tached to one of her pasture mates, An-

for the first time since I was six years old.

told her owner, Stacey that I would think

naliese, a huge QH/Friesian mare. One

I had just put down an OTTB that I rescued

about it and get back to her.

day, they were separated, and Sarabi

(also a Craigslist find) due to severe neu-

Stacey and I have become close

jumped the pasture fence to be reunited

rological problems from EPM and lame-

friends over the past 3+ years that I have

with her “BFF.” I was shocked by how ef-

ness issues from being raced until he was

owned Sarabi, and she has told me nu-

fortlessly my horse—a 15-hh Arabian

10 years old. So I was searching for some-

merous times that she always knew that

cross—cleared such a large fence! I began

thing that was young (and healthy) that I

I was the perfect home for her, which is

to jump Sarabi under saddle over small

could play with when I wasn’t buried in

why she called me, week after week, of-

obstacles, and it was clear that she loved

schoolwork.

fering me Sarabi for a lower price. Finally,

it.

I began searching on Craigslist, and I

one afternoon she called me and said, “I

With only three months of training un-

found an ad for a four-year-old, unbroken,

will give you Sarabi for free, but if you

der her belt, I took Sarabi to her first show,

registered Half-Arabian chestnut mare for

want her papers it will be $100.”

$700. Let me rewind a little bit and say

I hadn’t found any other prospects

that my love affair with chestnut mares

since I had seen the mare, so I ac-

began at the age of nine when I first can-

cepted her offer and arranged to

tered across the pasture aboard my evil

pick her up.

pony, Peaches. It grew even more when

Training Sarabi has been one

I ran my first barrel pattern on my first

of the most rewarding experiences

horse, an unregistered Arabian/QH named

of my life. Even though she was

Lady. So, needless to say, when I saw this

always

particular ad on Craigslist, I immediately

she was incredibly brave, very

called and scheduled to go see the horse.

forward-thinking, and learned so,

I wish I could say that the instant I laid

so quickly. We certainly had our

extremely

opinionated,

The photo used in Sarabi’s “for sale” ad.

December 2013/January 2014 3RD SHUTTER PHOTO

13

Sarabi packing a 13-year-old rider around a 2’6” course.

a Mini Trial, and we placed 6th in the “Very

able qualities—not to mention she has

Sarabi. She is truly my once-in-a-lifetime

Green” division. Although she believed

the sweetest personality; she even gives

horse, and I look forward to our next ad-

the dressage arena was the scariest place

kisses! I have owned Quarter Horses,

venture!

she’d ever been in her entire life, she

Paints, Thorough-

jumped the stadium and cross-country

breds,

courses like she was born to it.

breds and worked

Since then, Sarabi and I have trained

with

Saddle-

numerous

with Grand Prix jumper Wilhelm Genn and

other breeds, but

have participated in clinics with Olympi-

Arabians

ans Will Simpson and Joe Fargis. We have

alone.

competed in more mini trials, but we

no matter what

mainly compete in the 3’+ Jumpers at lo-

equestrian sport

cal and USEF-Rated shows. This summer,

or activity I wish

Sarabi packed a 13-year-old amateur rid-

to pursue, I can do

er around courses up to 3’5”.

it on an Arabian,

stand I

know

Sarabi’s honest, can-do attitude and

and I could prob-

trainability are just a few of her remark-

ably even do it on

Sarabi taking a 13-year-old rider over her first 3’9” oxer.

14

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

BIOMECHANICS The Biology of Building Talent: Tuning the Nervous System A SERIES BY LISA MAY

Forty years ago, Mary Wanless set out to discover what makes riders “talented.” With six books, multiple DVDs, and clinics worldwide, her “Ride With Your Mind”TM (RWYM) coaching method explains how any rider can learn to shape the horse’s athletic use of his body. Her pioneering work has seeped into that of many others who refer to “rider biomechanics.” Wanless’s strategies can be understood most clearly from the source.

“

If you always do what you always did, you always get

we operate in our ‘stretch zone’, struggling in targeted ways as we

what you always got. Do you feel that even though you

make mistakes and consciously correct them. Robert Bjork, UCLA

ride every day, and want to improve, it just isn’t happen-

Chair of Psychology, has explained that our memory isn’t a tape

ing at the speed you would like, or maybe isn’t happening at all?

recorder; it’s scaffolding: the more we encounter and overcome

The problem may be in how you are practicing. We only improve

difficulties the more scaffolding we build and the faster we learn.

what we are actually doing—not what we hope we are doing.

Myelin insulation unwraps only due to aging or a disease that

In his book, The Talent Code, that explains the brain-science of

causes it to deteriorate. So, the sole way to change a habit is to

building a skill, Daniel Coyle describes the process of ‘deep prac-

slow down, notice what’s going wrong, and build new behaviors—

tice.’ Talent is made, not born.” - Erica Poseley

insulating new circuitry. The most repetitively and most urgently fired nerve circuits become the best insulated. This deep practice

Every skill we build comes about by way of nerve fibers carrying electrical impulses. Wrapping like electrical tape around the nerves that we activate is a dense substance in our bodies called myelin. Like gradually building muscle strength by weightlifting, we build myelin insulation around the best nerve circuitry by consciously practicing things that are at the edge of our ability.

is what makes athletes successful.

“

Often riders get frustrated when things don’t go well in a ride. Now, we can look at what we would call a mistake or an incorrect response as an opportunity to change an

old pattern, and replace it with a new and more correct version.

We build faster and more fluent connections between brain and

Our sport is a little more complicated than others since our horses

body as layers of myelin bundle our nerve pathways.

also have myelin. We must first make sure we are doing things

Learning accelerates when a targeted system of skill-build-

correctly as riders. Then, through horse training techniques, we

ing is used. The more time and energy we put into practicing cor-

can build the correct nervous system connections in the horse.”

rections, the more quickly we build nerve circuitry that enables

- Erica Poseley

precise and speedy control. The deepest learning occurs when

December 2013/January 2014

AN EXAMPLE A rider aims to engage a horse’s core— tip his pelvis and telescope his neck into an arc that enables uphill balance. The rider needs to create an invitation with his own body for his horse’s abdominal muscles to contract, the pelvis to angle and to allow extension in the horse’s top line.

To help the horse, he first needs to secure his own balance in relation to gravity so that he can assist rather than interfere with the horse’s balance. To maintain independent body control, he uses his leg angles and thigh connection to bear his

own weight around the barrel. This makes it easier for his horse to lift his back. He creates a giving and receiving connection to the bit that allows the horse to maintain his balance.

Then, as they are working, the horse takes an uneven step with a foreleg as they enter a corner. The rider finds himself weighting the rear of his pelvis more than intended. This triggers the horse’s back to hollow away from his seat and the horse to drift from straight travel. The rider corrects his own weight bearing and again supports the horse’s straightness

and use of core strength.

The rider prepares himself for a reoccurrence by analyzing the weak link in his own self-carriage. He suspects that he was not bearing the weight of his own body correctly from side to side as he prepared to navigate the corner. As he approaches the next corner, he focuses attention on carrying himself through the turn to effectively assist the horse.

He uses his pelvis, thighs, lower legs and torso to provide support or allow room where the horse needs them. The imbalance doesn’t happen again.

Science has proven that the brain has plasticity at any age.

we can tolerate the discomfort of failed attempts, yet keep prac-

Memory and performance improve with targeted training. To

ticing—like staggering toddlers learning to walk—we can im-

correct weaknesses, deliberate practice involves using mistake-

prove quickly.

focused feedback to work on techniques. In Mary Wanless’s RWYM, coaches help the rider target their training to continually notice & correct. The rider takes responsibility for leading the dance; pick a target, reach for it, and analyze the gap between attempt and target. Then, redo the process, repeating the correct

“

Now, instead of being frustrated when something is not quite right, consider it an opportunity to wrap new myelin around the correct nervous system circuits to improve

the skills of both yourself and your horse.” - Erica Poseley

nerve circuitry. Slowly mastering detail allows us to hone and reproduce accuracy with increasing precision—like sharpening

Reference: Find original research sources in the Notes for Chap-

a blade. With this strategy, riders develop personalized internal

ters 2 & 4 of Daniel Coyle’s “The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born.

maps through which they can use the horse’s feedback to coach

It’s Grown. Here’s How,” NY ‘09 Thanks go to California “Ride With

themselves when riding on their own.

Your Mind” coach, Erica Poseley, for the use of excerpts from her arti-

Effective skills are built through a slow accumulation of ele-

cle “Deep Practice: The Science Behind Building A Skill.”

ments that we build into gradually larger chunks. Progressively, a child learns to shape the alphabet, spell words, construct sen-

We can use our own anatomy to communicate to the horse a

tences, and deliver those skills in a big chunk—a paragraph! In-

streamlined framework for movement. Find out more about these

crementally, a dancer learns a basic step with her feet, adds her

strategies for using the brain to communicate with horses through

arms, combines steps, gains expression in her torso, piece by

behavioral science and biomechanics! There’s a wealth of informa-

piece building a dance routine—the big chunk.

tion at www.Mary-Wanless.com including coaches worldwide—with

The most effective techniques for teaching a skill are those that 1.) identify the big picture, 2.) break the big picture down

five in the USA at www.RideWithYourMindUSA.com including Erica Poseley www.gotseat.com.

into it’s smallest elements, 3.) perfect the elements and 4.) grad-

Lisa May, the first accredited US RWYM coach has been working

ually chunk them together into larger and larger portions of the

with Wanless since 1997 and Horseman Mark Rashid since 2000

big picture. With this process, we focus on small details that are

www.MarkRashid.com. Also a Professional Association of Thera-

specific to the individual learner and then zoom out to the big

peutic Horsemanship International instructor, she travels for clinics

picture to keep sight of direction and goal.

from her home in Maryland www.IdylwildFarm.com.

The route to mastery of skills is through willingness to do poorly, and then take baby steps of repeated correction. When

15

16

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Breeder Q&A

Carol DiMaggio of Bright Future Farms

Carol has been breeding Arabians since 1988 and continues to breed both purebred and Oldenburg/ Arabians at her Bright Future Farms in Walnut Creek, CA. She is the breeder of Grand Prix Dressage stallion Taez+//. In 2013, Carol was named 7th in the country for USDF Dressage Horse Breeder of the Year.

How, when and why did you get involved with Arabians?

niet RSI. My first foal was a grey filly, Rebak-Amal, foaled in 1989,

Like many young readers, I fell in love with the books King of

the same year that Taez+// (Ralvon Elijah x Seranado) foaled.

the Wind and Walter Farley’s Black Stallion series and, of course,

(Read more about Taez+// in the February/March 2013 edition of

dreamed of owning a purebred Arabian some day. I live in North-

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine.)

ern California, which can boast a large number of Arabian horse breeders and, therefore, many local shows. Some very notorious stallions such as *Serafix, Ben Rabba and Bey Shah were locals

How many horses have you bred?

31 Purebreds and 7 Half-Arabians

and were well represented at the shows, along with Khemosabi and many Aurab-bred horses. These stallions are seen in many of

When you decided to breed Arabian horses, what were your

the pedigrees of our Sport Horses today.

goals?

Long before the Arabian Sport Horse division was added to

When did you breed your first Arabian?

USEF, I was breeding for beautiful riding horses. I’ve always been

My first mare was a little grey named Rebakah who was by a

attracted to what some call ‘old fashioned’ Arabians. I’ve used

Ferseyn grandson. I first saw her with a lovely foal at her side in a

mostly Crabbet bloodlines in my breeding program. My resident

pasture near my farm. I had always had geldings, but for the first

trainer, Jane Mendelsohn, and her sister, Debbie, were eventing

time I started to think about breeding. Her owner was dispersing,

their purebred Arabian geldings, and it was natural that my young

so I bought her in 1987 and bred her to Great Lad, by Rasmo-

horses were started with dressage training, including my young

December 2013/January 2014 SUZANNE STURGILL PHOTO

TAMARA TORTI PHOTO

17

Left: Taez+//, Arabian Grand Prix Dressage Stallion

Top Right: Meika++, Half-Arabian mare (Taez+// x Militzia [Trak]) stallion, Taez+//. I really didn’t have any specific goals—those came later. I would like to try my hand a racing some day, then I can say

I told him one day (I do actually talk to my Bottom Right: Tzar, Half-Arabian (Taez+// x Fairchild [Old])

that my horses have done just about everything!

horses) on a trail ride that if he never got any higher up the levels I would be content with his achievements, I meant it. His accomplishments

are too many to list. His son, Tail TZ, is a National ChamWho was your biggest influence regarding your breeding deci-

pion at First Level; his Half-Arabian daughters, Mica++ and Medi-

sions?

na TZ, who are full sisters, are in the main mare book of Olden-

I’ve always made my own breeding decisions. I studied pedi-

burg Horse Breeders Society, a division of the German Oldenburg

grees of the horses that I liked and also phenotype that I wanted.

Verband. I hope to see their names one day along with their sire’s

I subscribed to Arabian Horse World, The Crabbet Influence and at-

in the pedigree of an international dressage horse.

tended many shows. Inevitably, the horses that I liked were very often bred from the bloodlines that I liked. We all have different

What characteristics do you consider “must haves” in a breeding

tastes in horses, and it’s been said many times to “breed what

animal?

you like… avoid ‘fad’ breeding.”

Good feet and legs, a well conformed, balanced body, and a good attitude that includes willingness to do what is asked of

What do you consider your greatest achievement in breeding

them. I also look for a great walk, which is very important and

horses?

often overlooked. Good movement is a must.

I would have to say Taez+//, who I never dreamed would one day become a Grand Prix dressage horse. When he won the 1997

When matching a stallion to a mare, what do you consider their

USDF Musical Freestyle Championship at First Level, I thought

most important attributes in order to produce a successful sport

that would be his crowning glory. When he got to Fourth Level,

Continued on page 64

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Pedigree

How to Read a

by Arlene Magid

JOHNNY JOHNSTON PHOTO

18

we will use that of the late, great Huckleberry Bey++, who was the leading halter and performance sire at the National shows for a number of years and whose sire line is still prominent today through his sons who have been leading sires as well, most notably Afire Bey V, the breed’s all time leading sire of champions.

Sire Line The top part of the pedigree tracing through the sire, to his sire, and so forth is termed the “sire line”. This ends in the foundation sire, who is the final source to whom the sire line traces. In Huckleberry Bey++

Arabian pedigrees. the foundation sire is always a horse bred in the desert whose parents are not named. For Huckleberry Bey++,

For many people, the study of Arabian pedigrees is an end-

it is *Mirage, a grey stallion imported to America in 1928 by Rog-

less source of fascination, and for serious breeders it is a require-

er Selby, who had bought him from Lady Wentworth of England.

ment. Still, terminology remains puzzling. When asked about

Since *Mirage left no registered get in England, his sire line ap-

the dam line of a mare, this writer has heard owners reply “oh,

pears in pedigrees today only through American sources. Had

she’s out of Khemosabi++++/”. Actually, if Khemosabi++++/ is

Sheila Varian not used the *Mirage great-great grandson Bay-

her maternal grandsire, the correct way to describe the pedigree

Abi++ as the foundation sire for her breeding program, the sire

is to say that the mare’s dam is by Khemosabi++++/ (out of is

line might well be extinct today. Huckleberry Bey++ is 6 genera-

a term reserved to describe what mares have produced). Also,

tions away from *Mirage in sire line.

since Khemosabi++++/ is a stallion, he cannot be the “dam line”

Examples of some other prominent foundation sires are: Ibra-

of the mare—the dam line is the females listed descending from

him (Poland), founder of the Skowronek sire line, Kuhailan Haifi

the mother of the mare herself. Her “dam line” would trace to a

(Poland), from whom *Bask++ descends, and Saklawi I (Egypt),

mare like Bint Sahara, for example.

from whom Nazeer descends. The sons of a foundation sire form

By the time one tries to learn all the correct words for pedi-

the branches of the sire line (think of a tree with branches ex-

gree analysis, one’s head can be spinning. Taproot mares, family

tending from its central trunk). For example, the highly success-

strains, plus symbols before and after names--it seems to be a

ful Shaikh Al Badi branch of the Saklawi I sire line has produced

foreign language, and one for which a translation dictionary can-

the World Champions *Gazal Al Shaqab and *Marwan Al Shaqab

not be bought in a local bookstore! For our example of a pedigree

and National Champions Ruminaja Ali, Ali Jamaal and Thee Des-

Image

Pedigree Chart research copyright Arlene Magid 2012

Arabi Kabir

December 2013/January 2014 *Kareyma

Errabi *Ferdin

Ferdirah

Sire Line

Sankirah

Bay-Abi++

Tail Female

Skowronek

Horses linebred in pedigree

*Raseyn Rayya

Angyl Ofir

*Wierna Kamea

Bay El Bey++

desertbred

Kuhailan Afas desertbred

Bad Afas Diab

Bad Guenina

*Naganka Bakszysz

Fetysz Siglavi-Bagdady

Najada Kohejlan

Gazella II Abra

Huckleberry Bey+ +

Sire Line: *Mirage (foaled 1919) Tail Female: Rodania (1869, from Crabbet Stud, England) Family Strain: Kehilan Ajuz of Ibn Rodan

Ferneyn

Ferzon Fersara

Gazon Indraff

Scheraff Scheherazade

Raffon++ *Raffles

Indraff *Indaia

Vadraff Valensik

Invasia Indirza

Taffona

Image

Des Moin Rafina

Bagdad Landsknecht

*Azja IV Asra

Waneta *Mirage

Ibn Mirage *Kareyma

Rhadna

Karnak

Reina Regente

!

Rabbani Š 2012 Arlene Magid Arabian Horse Consultant. www.arlenemagid.com

19

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

20

Saklawi I *Mirage

Karnak Ibrahim

is found in many pedigrees today.

perado, but the foundation sire of this line is not Shaikh Al Badi,

Many of the winners at the 2011 National Champion shows in

but Saklawi I. The sire line of Huckleberry Bey++ is marked in red

North America were from sire lines commonly found today, such

on the six-generation pedigree chart that accompanies this arti-

as those of Kuhailan Haifi, *Mirage (through Bay-Abi++) and Sak-

cle.

lawi I (through various sources including Aswan, the Nazeer son Sometimes a sire line does not survive in direct male descent

who had so much influence on the Russian breeding program).

(as was nearly the case with *Mirage, whose sons were excellent

However, other sire lines are still showing influence, including

broodmare sires). In such a case, it is a sire line that is said to ex-

that of Dahman Amirch, a desertbred stallion whose Polish born

ist “through the middle of the pedigree” as it is found only in fe-

son Ursus has had worldwide influence through the get he sired

males. Of course, this means that it is extinct as a sire line per se.

in Spain. 2011 U.S. National Champion Three Year old Filly *Abha

There is such a horse in Huckleberry Bey++’s pedigree—Karnak,

Raipur, PA Sebastion (who won 3 Canadian National Champion-

the sire of Reina Regente. Karnak sired eight daughters and five

ships as a hunter and jumper), Sur Teddys Magna++// (who won

sons. Of his sons, three left no get at all, one sired one daughter,

5 Canadian National Championships in hunter over fences and

and the fifth sired two daughters and a son who was gelded, thus

sport horse under saddle), and VLQ Friendly Fire+// (who won 3

rendering the sire line from Karnak defunct. However, Karnak’s

National Championships in 2011 in reining) are of this sire line.

daughters were highly prolific broodmares and through them he

Another influential sire line is that of Seanderich, a desert-

December 2013/January 2014

Mahruss

Ursus

Champion Trail Futurity Robbyn Ribbons, U.S. National Champion Trail JOTR 14-17 Serannada+//, and 2011 U.S. National Champion Training Level Dressage Junior Horse Aul Turbo Charged, are from the Aurab branch of the Mahruss sire line Another sire line prominent at England’s Crabbet stud was that of Zobeyni through the noted stallion Mesaoud. 2011 Canadian Reserve National Champion Western Pleasure AOTR 18-39 and Western Pleasure AATR 18-39 Koweta Phoenix+/ traces in sire line to Zobeyni.

A less common Egyptian sire line is that of Jamil El Kebir, found through the Rabdan branch. This is the sire line of BabSeanderich

son Egyptian Arabians, of National Champion sire Hallany Mis-

bred stallion used at stud in Spain at the beginning of the twen-

tanny and also of multi-National Champion Fadjur. 2011 North

tieth century. 2011 U.S. Reserve National Champion Futurity Filly

American National Champions representative of this line include

Raherra, U.S. National Champion Two Year Old Sport Horse Filly

U.S. National Champion Third Level Dressage KS Fadls Phoenix,

Al-Marah Amelius, U.S. National Champion Sport Horse Yearling

U.S. Reserve National Champion Working Cow Horse Futurity CJ

Filly Al-Marah Jessica, Canadian Reserve National Champion Hunt

Shadow Dance and multi-National Champion Sport Horse Car-

Pleasure AATR 40 and Over C A Ultimo+//, and U.S. Reserve Na-

riage Driving VPF Nite Reign.

tional Champion Training Level Dressage ATR Xxtra Cool+ are of this sire line.

The sire line of Mahruss, a stallion bred in Egypt and used by England’s Crabbet stud produced the 2011 U.S. National Champi-

The Bairactar sire line, which has branches in Poland and Russia, is the sire line of 2011 Canadian multi-National Champion Reining Navajo Joe BPF and U.S. Reserve National Champion Reining JTR 14-17 Bay Emotion.

on Hunt Pleasure AOTR 36-54 winner WMJ Contribution and U.S.

The Ilderim sire line, which originates in Poland, is responsi-

Reserve National Champion Sport Horse Carriage Driving Turnout

ble for great horses of the past such as U.S. National Champion

Canadian Justina, who descend from the Rissalix branch of that

Stallion *Elkin++ and U.S. National Champion Mare *Elkana++, as

sire line.

well as modern show winners such as 2011 U.S. National Cham-

Another prominent source of the Mahruss sire line today is

pion Grand Prix Dressage HS Pageno+// and 2011 U.S. National

through the stallion Aurab, a line noted for producing winning

Champion Fourth Level Dressage and Canadian National Cham-

working western and sport horses. 2011 U.S. Reserve National

pion Sport Horse Stallion HSA Haleys Comet, who has more Na-

21

22

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine tional titles than any other purebred Arabian.

pling which provided information on the most frequently found

The Female Side

dam lines in modern stock. Of the top ten, four came through the Crabbet Stud (those of Rodania, Ghazieh, Basilisk and Ferida). Rodania was the dam line found most often in the horses

In Arabians, the tail female line is also called the dam line

studied--of the 500 horses in the group, she was the taproot an-

or family. It was especially prized by the Bedouins. The tail fe-

cestress of 69 of them (13.8%). Three of the top ten are from the

male descends through the dam (mother of the horse), her dam

1906 Davenport importation (*Abeyah, *Urfah, the second most

(the granddam), and so on to the taproot mare, who is always a

common, and *Wadduda, to whom Bint Sahara, Ferzon and Khe-

desertbred. Examples of some prominent taproot mares include

mosabi++++// trace, among others).

the Blunt’s Rodania (who is the taproot mare for Huckleberry

One mare, El Dahma, founded her family in Egypt, and the

Bey++ and whose line originates from her foals in England), the

Zulima tail female is found through Spanish pedigrees. Some

Davenport import *Urfah, and Mlecha from Poland (from whom

of the less numerous dam lines have also produced important

*Bask++, descends). Breeders often make reference to “num-

horses. The Polish dam line of Ukrainka is found today in tail fe-

bered” dams (third, fourth, etc.). The numbers indicate how many

male only through Forta, but she founded a dynasty of successful

generations back they are from the horse whose pedigree is be-

race and show horses. One of the rarest female families is that

ing read. Huckleberry Bey++’s dam line is marked in blue on the

of Wild Thyme, whom the Blunts brought to England’s Crabbet

pedigree chart. His dam is Taffona, his second dam is Waneta, his third dam is Rhadna, his fourth dam is Reina Regente, and his fifth dam is Rabbani. Huckleberry Bey++ is 11 generations removed from Rodania, the taproot mare of his dam line.

The noted equine geneticist Michael Bowling found in an unpublished study of every 20th horse registered in Volume 72 of the American stud book (most of these were foals of 1996) a sam-

*Urfa

Rodania

Wadduda

December 2013/January 2014 stud in one of their early importations. U.S. National Champion Stallion Arn Ett Perlane+ traces to her in tail female. Another infrequently found line is that of Dafina, a desertbred mare brought to England in 1927. She had a daughter who went to Russia in the 1936 exportation from the Crabbet Stud, and from that daughter descends U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion and National Champion sire Padrons Psyche so there is a refreshed presence of the Dafina line in current Arabian breeding.

*Kareyma to Indraff). There is also linebreeding to the Polish horses Gazella II and Bakszysz. Horses who occur multiple times in the pedigree are marked in yellow on Huckleberry Bey++’s pedigree chart.

Many very successful Arabian breeding programs have been based on linebreeding and/or inbreeding. Bazy Tankersley of AlMarah Arabians has linebred and inbred to her foundation sire Indraff since she purchased him in the 1940s. Alice Payne, the final Dafina

owner of *Raffles, developed an inbreeding program around him so intense that she produced Celeste, who was 87 1/2% *Raffles

One other term from the dam’s portion of the pedigree is im-

(she was sired by him, out of a daughter of his who was also his

portant. This is “broodmare sire,” the maternal grandsire. Huckle-

granddaughter!). By the time Payne died in 1969, her younger

berry Bey++’s broodmare sire is Raffon++, noted for his excellent

horses had as many as 11 lines to *Raffles in the first six genera-

daughters (U.S. National Champion Stallion Fame VF+ is also out

tions of their pedigrees. Henry Babson of the Babson Stud con-

of a Raffon++ daughter). Certain stallions are famed for their pro-

centrated his efforts on the stallion *Fadl, who he imported in

duction of exceptional mares, so the broodmare sire position in

1932. Dan Gainey of Gainey Arabians inbred Skowronek through

a pedigree is one to evaluate with care. Many significant breed-

his stallion Ferzon (who was a double grandson of the Skowronek

ing stallions are the grandsons of important broodmare sires. The

grandson Ferseyn) and Azraff, a son of the inbred Skowronek

complete female side of the pedigree (including the broodmare

son *Raffles. Some breeders have linebred to mares--the McCoy

sire, the dam, granddam and tail female line plus all the sires of

program was founded on offspring of Bint Sahara and later line-

those mares) is called the distaff side of the pedigree.

breeding to her. More recently breeders have been linebreeding

Linebreeding And Inbreeding

and inbreeding to Padrons Psyche and Huckleberry Bey++. Line-

Linebreeding refers to the occurence of the same horse mul-

desirable traits of an ancestor in descendants, but one must al-

tiple times in the pedigree. In Huckleberry Bey++’s pedigree,

ways bear in mind that when doing so less desirable recessive

there is linebreeding to *Mirage and *Kareyma (Arabi Kabir and

traits may present as well (see my article on “The Importance Of

Ibn Mirage are 3/4 brothers), to Skowronek through his sons *Raf-

The Pedigree”.

breeding and inbreeding can be utilized effectively to replicate

fles, *Raseyn and Naseem, and to Indraff, the son of *Raffles who

It is important to understand that the terms “linebreeding”

is the maternal grandsire of Gazon and the sire of Vadraff. (Raf-

and “inbreeding” are used somewhat differently in the Arabian

fon++, who is by Gazon out of Vadraff, can be considered inbred

community than they are in some other breeds. In Thorough-

23

24

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine breds, who have less occurence of linebreeding than Arabians,

With the passing of time other strains came into being, includ-

horses are said to be “inbred on a coefficient” if the same animal

ing the Abeyan, Jilfan, Shueyman, and Wadnan. The latter three

appears several times in the pedigree. “Inbred 2:3” means that

are thinly represented in modern breeding, with the Shueyman

the same horse appears once in the second and third genera-

known through one taproot mare in Poland (though that mare,

tions. For Arabians, the term inbred would refer to a horse who is

Cherifa, founded the dam line that includes U.S. National Champi-

incest bred, the product of a mother/son, father/daughter, or sib-

on Stallion *Elkin++ and Swedish National Champion Stallion *Ex-

ling mating, or a horse who had more than 2 lines to a particular

elsjor, found close up in the pedigree of World Champion Stallion

ancestor in the first few generations of the pedigree.

*Gazal Al Shaqab). The Abeyan strain has a rare substrain--Umm

Family Strains

Jaras--found in Egyptian horses today through the taproot mare

is based in both legend and reality. Family strain designation

sires Nabiel+/ and Ruminaja Ali!

The concept of family strains can be difficult to grasp, as it

El Obeya Om Grees. From this line descend the excellent sire *Ibn Hafiza as well as National Champions and National Champion

among the Bedouins came from the dam line as a way to iden-

There are also many substrains of each of the major ones,

tify the tribe which had bred a particular horse. Family strain is

some of which exist in modern breeding and some of which do

passed from generation to generation through the dam line, nev-

not. Researching strains can be a difficult task. In the first four vol-

er through the sire line.

umes of the American stud book family strains were recorded for

The legendary origin of strains is based on the story of “Al

each horse, but the information was dropped from subsequent

Khamsa” (the five), who were the mares of the Prophet Moham-

volumes. To trace all of the strains in a pedigree with many dif-

med. After being denied water for some time, they were allowed

ferent origins, many reference sources must be used (the Arabian

to drink, but turned back from the waterhole when a horn was

Datasource online unfortunately does not record family strains).

blown indicating an impending battle. Since they were the true

Our sample horse, Huckleberry Bey++, is of the Kehilan Ajuz

“war mares”, they became the foundresses of the five main

of Ibn Rodan strain. He is actually pure-in-strain Kehilan Ajuz, as

strains of Arabians: the Kehilan. Seqlawi, Muniqi, Dahman and

his sire Bay El Bey++ is of the Kehilan Ajuz strain through the Pol-

Hadban. There are variant spellings for these--Kehilan can be

ish taproot mare Gazella. The Bedouins prized horses who were

spelled Kuhaylan, or Koheilan. These are the masculine version

closely bred within the strain as they believed this set desirable

of the strain names--the feminine ones have different forms.

traits and made them more consistent breeding stock.

A horse who is of the Seqlawi Jedran of Ibn Sudan strain has a

The significance of family strains has been the subject of

taproot mare bred by a tribe different than one of the Seqlawi al

much dispute over the years. The writer Carl Raswan felt that the

Abd strain. Since horses were exported from the desert to various

horses of the late-developed Muniqi strain were less pure, and

countries, one finds the Seqlawi al Abd strain in America through

therefore undesirable, though Wilfrid Blunt of the Crabbet Stud

the 1906 Davenport imports *Wadduda and *Urfah, and the same

highly prized this strain for its racing abilities (one of the found-

strain in Spain through Zulima, who was brought from the desert

ers of the Thoroughbred, the Darley Arabian, was reputed to be

in 1905. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) research has also deter-

a Muniqi, and it was to find horses of this strain to improve the

mined errors in historic family strains. When originally registered

modern Thoroughbred that sent the Blunts to the desert in search

in America, *Urfah was said to be of the Seqlawi Jedran family

of Arabian breeding stock). Raswan believed there were three

strain, but modern research has proven that she is of the same

basic strains that were also accompanied by a distinct physical

strain as *Wadduda. Another significant family strain change de-

type of horse. Kehilans were heavier in muscling, wide-chested

termined by mtDNA research is that of the full siblings *Fadl and

and masculine of appearance, appearing more like a Morgan or

*Maaroufa of the Babson importation from Egypt. For many years

even a Quarter Horse (this included the mares). His concept of the

their strain was believed to be Kehilan Jallabi, however recent

Seqlawi was a slimmer, more elegant horse with a narrower head,

research has reassigned their strain to be Seqlawi Jedran, tracing

which he later compared to be more like an American Saddlebred.

to the taproot mare Ghazieh instead of Jellabiet Feysul.

His description of a typical horse of the Maneghi strain was a tall-

December 2013/January 2014

25

er animal, coarser in appearance, resembling the Thoroughbred

asterisk should still be used in front of its name, even if it is not

in looks and speed.

used in its registration name due to the technical requirements of

Symbols And Such

the American Arabian Registry.

Arabian horse pedigrees often have symbols that puzzle the

cate that it is the recipient of an Arabian Horse Association merit

reader. On the registration papers and the pedigrees on the AHA

award. The program was initiated in 1965 to recognize horses who

Datasource online (or the old Arabian Horse Registry Bookshelf

performed well in the show ring, but now racing, eventing, dres-

CD ROMs, last issued in 2001), three or four letter abbreviations

sage, distance riding also earn points for these awards. The des-

often accompany the registration numbers following the horses’

ignations are: Legion of Honor (+), Legion of Supreme Honor (+/).

names. These are codes for the registry of origin of a particular

Legion of Merit (++), Legion of Excellence (+//), Legion of Supreme

horse. In Huckleberry Bey++’s pedigree, AHR represents the

Merit (+++), and Legion of Masters (++++).

Plus (+) and slash (/) symbols after the name of a horse indi-

American registry and PASB is the Polish stud book, while SBFAR

There are also combinations of awards including Legion of

is the French Stud Book. Such designations can give clues to the

Supreme Honor/Merit (++/), Legion of Supreme Honor/Supreme

national origins of horses in the pedigree, but must be used with

Merit (+++/), Legion of Merit/Excellence (++//), Legion of Supreme

care in determining whether a horse represents a certain bloodline

Merit/Excellence (+++//), Legion of Masters/Supreme Honor

group.

(++++/), and Legion of Masters/Excellence (++++//). Horses earn-

For instance, Bay El Bey++’s dam *Naganka was bred in Poland

ing awards in the honor, supreme honor and excellence divisions

but her maternal granddam Bad was bred in France. Some other

have won points in halter and/or performance. The merit, su-

common abbreviations for foreign stud book origins are : AHSA

preme merit, and masters awards are given to horses who have

(Australia), AHSB(Great Britain, though some horses up to 1964

earned a certain number of points in both halter and performance

were registered with both the Arab Horse Society stud books and

events--Huckleberry Bey++, his sire Bay El Bey++, and grandsires

the GSB, the General Stud Book), AVS (the Netherlands), BAPS

Raffon++ and Bay Abi++ are all recipients of the Legion of Merit

(Belgium), BRSB (Brazil), CAHR (Canada), CHAV (Switzerland),

award.

SPARAGOWSKI PHOTO

DAV (Old German stud book), EAO (Egypt), GASB(Germany), ITSB (Italy), KSB (Kuwait), QASB (Qatar), RASB (Russia), RJSB (Jordan), SAHR (Sweden), SBA (Argentina) and SSB (Spain).

Another area of confusion is the use of asterisks before the name of the horses, as with *Naganka and a number of other horses in Huckleberry Bey++’s pedigree. The asterisk indicates that the horse was imported to America. This symbol was used by the Arabian Horse Registry of America until the early 1980s, when their computer system was altered so that the asterisk became a function key. Now imported horses are registered with the stud book of origin following their names. Poland’s Bandos became *Bandos PASB in America after his 1982 importation. However, he is often mentioned as *Bandos, which is also correct usage since he was imported (there is also an American born Bandos foaled in 1940).

An example of incorrect usage of the asterisk is often seen in horses who have been exported and then re-imported, as was U.S. National Champion Stallion Ali Jamaal, whose correct designation is Ali Jamaal, not *Ali Jamaal--since he was foaled in America the asterisk should not be used. Generally, if a horse is imported the

Bay Abi++

26

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

the

Tale

of a

Tail

by Karla Stanley

SO IT WAS…

his mouth was unresponsive. He either ig-

lunged in a rigid counter-flexed position.

We first saw Scrimshah at the 2010

nored the leg or ran from it. As a result, he

With a side rein three holes shorter on the

Canadian Arabian Nationals. He was for

went stiff, crooked and in absolute eleva-

inside, we could get his head a bit to the

sale. What an eye-catching horse this

tion. On the ground, he seemed to be in

inside, but his neck was then pulled in and

bright chestnut overo was! Sally Henry,

his own protective bubble not interacting

shortened with his spine in an S curve.

our longtime friend and client, had a soft

with people. He led with his neck straight

Sally did work Scrim into some modest

spot for pintos and could not get him

up, ears rigidly forward, always looking

trail riding with the neighbor. She started

out of her mind. That winter, thinking “it

for something that he should be scared

out leading him and worked up to using

doesn’t hurt to check,” she did just that.

of. He did not like grooming or really to

a pony horse and finally just following

The next spring, he was hers.

be touched at all. He seemed to have no

another horse. She rode him in a western

We had been told that he was hot, had

awareness when he bumped into a per-

saddle with a running martingale for safe-

a rough trot and was often lunged for long

son. This was the Scrim that Sally took

ty. When his anxiety level climbed, he was

periods of time on show days to make him

home.

unpredictable.

more ridable. We were also told he was

Sally spent a lot time with him. He

In the fall of 2012, Sally put Scrim

stall aggressive and poll sensitive. He

lived in a big turnout with a run-in shed

in training with us. We had some idea of

had been ridden by many different riders.

plus plenty of pasture time. He learned to

the road ahead but we could not have im-

Scrim was shipped to us at Prairie

interact with other horses and did become

agined what the next six months would

Rose Training Center in Bismarck, ND

more relaxed, at least in his handling from

bring. At this point, he neither respected

where Mimi Stanley rode him a few times

the ground. She taught him how to lower

nor trusted the people around him. Un-

before Sally picked him up. Mimi found

his head for haltering, but if his ears or

der saddle, he often shied and refused to

out that he knew his job as a rail horse in

poll were touched, his head shot straight

pass various points in the arena. He was

a double bridle but he did not understand

up. She occasionally brought him back the

typically in a position of absolute eleva-

the aids as a dressage horse. In a snaffle,

100 miles to us for a lesson. We found he

tion with his neck straight up, back hollow

December 2013/January 2014 and hind legs working behind him with lit-

Jones TEAM exercises and close up long-

says, “Contact is everything,” and that

tle flexion. If nothing much was asked of

lining as is done in the Spanish Riding

is what Scrim needed to learn in order

him, he would go down the rail. His first

School. TEAM is wonderful for stimulating

to respond to the aids correctly. At first,

response to the aids was to ignore them

the horse to think, develop body aware-

the contact needed to come to him with

by becoming dead in the mouth and the

ness and sensitivity to touch. With skillful

slow, elastic, exaggerated lateral flexion.

sides. If the aids were applied more as-

long-lining, a horse can learn correct body

With our newly found relaxation from

sertively, he threw his head up and bolt-

positions, self carriage and contact. Scrim

the groundwork, he was able to start re-

ed sideways. While the Training Pyramid

had never experienced this approach.

sponding to the leg and weight aids. From

is our guide, it was difficult to find any

That was a key for it to succeed.

there, he could be asked to start stretch-

rhythm in his gaits, much less relaxation.

We also needed a bit that did not

ing to the contact and yielding through

Things like normal half-halts and posi-

cause him to hide from it but was worth

the body. Now, we had a tool to use that

tioning for transitions were impossible.

paying attention to. Enter the ergonomi-

created relaxation when he got tense.

It worked for him to overreact to his

cally shaped Herm Sprenger KK Correc-

In this work, we avoided both the rail

environment, tune out the rider/handler

tion Snaffle. We now had a place to start.

and the part of the arena where he was

and if all else failed, explode. He taught

After a few weeks and some progress,

so spooky. He could be forced to pass by

his riders that they got along best with

cavaletti were introduced on a slightly

those spots, but the tension set him back

him if they mostly left him alone. Scrim

larger circle—still with two reins but with

to square one. Mimi tried to allow him to

is a very smart, energetic and extremely

a hint of lunging. At this point, Scrim was

rest in the scary spots but like so many

sensitive horse who had many riders. For

lowering his neck on his own, his back

Arabs, he never got very tired, so stand-

him to make progress in classical dres-

was starting to come up, and the hind legs

ing there was a punishment. She then

sage, he needed to be trained and ridden

were working under without leaning in on

stashed treats along the wall in those

consistently by one experienced rider.

the circle. We were encouraged!

spots, which helped.

After four weeks of groundwork, we

As he started to understand and ac-

began to transfer this new way of going to

cept the aids, those aids could become

Our first job was to find a starting

work under saddle. At first, Mimi sat on

more sophisticated, and he allowed

point where we could figure out Scrim’s

Scrim while I walked beside him mimick-

himself to be positioned into a shoulder

particular learning process. Until we could

ing the long lining position and duplicat-

fore. This was a major breakthrough. All

reach him, he remained either explosive

ing the TEAM exercises. As Steffen Peters

things are possible in shoulder fore! As he

SO IT BEGAN…

or shut down. Once he was thinking and attentive, we then could start to customize a training plan for him, being careful not to trigger negative responses. No signal, request or aid works if the horse ignores it. Scrim had to learn to pay attention.

At this point, lunging was useless because he would not seek the contact or bend correctly on the circle. When the contact was brought to him by shortening the side reins, he corkscrewed his spine, leaned in and took off.

Our answer was Linda Tellington

27

28

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine learned to keep his focus on the rider, the shying, bolting and fear of his environment became less of an issue.

Another exercise that complemented his first work under saddle involved a slightly unusual approach to encourage the half-halt. Keep in mind that in the beginning, Scrim tended to respond to rein pressure by locking his jaw, shooting his neck up and dropping his back. A bending line with a leg yield stepping to an outside rein connection was most helpful to encourage relaxation and a lowered neck, lifted back and hind legs stepping well under. But at the trot, Scrim was con-

to be kept engaged and busy both men-

memories. He then could learn what we

firmed in a saddleseat “rock n roll” down

tally and physically or he would fill his

were trying to teach him.

the rail with minimal rider intervention.

time looking for monsters. He quite en-

Always, we needed to keep Scrim thinking

joyed recreational shying.

the menu.

his mind and body, Scrim’s respect and trust began to develop. He was listening

and paying attention to the rider’s aids, but with this trot, a half-halt was not on

As Mimi was able to start decrypting

MORE TO COME… In the beginning, there were many

and starting to enjoy his work! This dressage was a good thing.

The exercise we used was similar

times Mimi would finish Scrimshah’s les-

In the next installment, read how

to the start of the turn on the haunches

son with much frustration, feeling like

Scrim graduated through different bits

(half-halt, position/turn, give). In the third

she was uncovering more problems. For a

and how the dressage work resulted in

position off the rail, Mimi asked for a re-

horse such as Scrim, the traditional train-

a whole body makeover. Scrim also had

balancing half-halt emphasizing the seat/

ing approach would not have worked. We

a game-changing surprise in store for

tummy part with a cuddling leg and mini-

needed to use a different path to avoid

us.

mum rein. When Scrim gave his predicted

triggering the set responses and muscle

response, Mimi only held the request for a moment in spite of Scrim’s answer. In the next moment, she repeated it, only this time she turned his head towards the wall, holding the rein aid for just long enough to commit him to the turn. As he came out of the turn, the aid was off and he was allowed to continue at the pace of his choosing. This quite surprised Scrim!

After a few of these, he was paying attention and looking for that “get ready” half-halt by rebalancing to his hindquarters. The turn towards the wall was then no longer necessary. In all work, Scrim had

December 2013/January 2014

29

30

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

The Shagya-Arabian One Exceptional Sport Horse Breed

By Hallie Goetz t seems that whenever a group of

I

ropean riding and driving horse, originat-

test subsequent generations. The result is

sport horse enthusiasts meets a Shag-

ing in stud farms of the Austro-Hungarian

the Shagya-Arabian, a sport horse of Ara-

ya-Arabian for the first time, although

Empire in the late 1700’s.

The breed

bian type, toughness, refinement, and en-

their deliveries differ, the reaction is al-

originated from the Calvary’s need for a

durance, but with more bone, larger frame

ways the same, and they inevitably ask,

horse with the endurance of an Arabian

and a calm temperament.

“What type of horse is that?” The breed-

but with larger size and carrying capacity.

WAHO recognizes the breed as a

savvy ones seem to then crisscross breed

The stud farms’ breeding technique was

sub-species of Arabian and appointed

charts, searching for a match, concluding

to selectively cross native Warmblood

the International Shagya Arabian Society

with “That must be an Arabian Warmblood

mares with desert bred Arabian stallions,

(ISG) as the umbrella organization for the

cross of some sort?” Close, but no cigar.

usually every 4th generation, and then

breed. Its Member Registries work togeth-

methodically performance and progeny

er to promote, preserve and maintain the

The Shagya-Arabian is a breed of Eu-

December 2013/January 2014 Sterling Silver AF (*Shandor x Sapphire by *Oman) Inspected & Approved as a 3 Yr old. Photo by Lynne Glazer courtesy of Shelley Housh.

breed worldwide. In 1978, the breed was officially named “Shagya-Arabian” to honor the desert-bred Arabian stallion “Shagya,” bred by the Bani Saher tribe, who was a prepotent sire and who stood at Bábolna National Stud Farm (Hungary) in the 1830’s. Shagya appears in almost all Shagya-Arabian pedigrees. Prior to that, the breed was commonly referred to as “Arab-bred.” Shagya-Arabian bloodlines were also developed at the stud farms at Radautz (Romania), Topolcianky (Czechoslovakia), Mangalia (Romania), and Kabiuk (Bulgaria). In 2007, the ISG and its mem-

*Olivero (Taib Gazlan x Obeya) Shannon McCracken (owner) and ISG Judges Adele Furby, Dr. Kathy Richkind and Hallie Goetz in Canada 2012.

ber registries established an official rule book for the breed known as the “RZBO.” Shagya-Arabian Studbooks are closed to breeds other than the purebred Arabian. As such, for a horse to be officially recorded as a “Shagya-Arabian,” they must be registered with an ISG Member Registry, have pedigrees which trace back to the original Stud Farms, and for breeding purposes, must have at least 7 out of 16 “Shagya-Arabian” ancestors in the 4th generation (all other ancestors must be purebred Arabians). Similar to Warmblood breeds, the Shagya-Arabian breed requirements call for all breeding stock to be inspected for breeding approval and that all stallions meet performance criteria.

Bellisimo (Saklavi I-CZ (Galan) x Bellisima by EH Puschkin R) 2008 Stallion - Approved 2013.

Photo by Sabine Bomhardt.

minimum quality breed standards and

tional purposes only.

Official inspections are organized by

allow for horses to be recorded into the

The inspection is the review of breed-

ISG Member Registries and allow for eli-

appropriate Stud Book for breeding. They

ing stock, and as such, the horse is ex-

gible Shagya-Arabian and purebred Ara-

help to educate breeders and owners on

pected to fulfill as possible the demands

bian horses to be presented. Inspection

breed type, conformation and movement,

as set forth by the breeding goal. Horses

age requirements may be determined by

and facilitate learning how to objectively

are assessed for conformation, gaits, race

the individual registries, but in general,

evaluate one’s breeding stock. Evalua-

and sex type. Although Shagya-Arabians

horses that participate must be at least 2

tions are offered for younger horses and

have a large Arabian genetic make-up,

years old. Inspections serve to maintain

non-breeding stock but are for informa-

the breed should differ from the purebred

31

32

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Shagya Filly being Judged 2003

Shagya Raja AF being inspected at the 2006 Inspection.

Photo by I. Atam.

Arabian norm in being larger, having a

well carried tail as well as strong clean

The final score is calculated by adding

bigger frame and having plenty of bone.

legs. They should have ground consum-

the points allocated to the partial criteria

The breeding goal is for a large-framed

ing, elastic and correct movement at all

and dividing by seven or eight. Member

Arabian horse, suitable for everyone as

three gaits. Wither height should be at

Registries follow the ISG’s guidelines and

an elegant riding and driving horse: “The

least 14.3 to 15.3 hands and cannon bone

rules as set by the RZBO, including the

Shagya-Arabian should be good looking

circumference should be at least 7 inches.

minimum score requirements for horses

and harmonious with an expressive face,

The Shagya Arabian should fulfill all de-

to be accepted and recorded in the dif-

well-proportioned riding horse neck,

mands regarding looks and temperament

ferent sections of the Studbook. Usually,

clearly defined topline, long croup, and

as a noble and willing family and leisure

a “Shagya-Arabian” mare must receive at

horse,

Koheilan R (Hassaro x Kelissa by Kamour) 2007 Shagya Stallion - Trot in hand. Photo courtesy of Sabine Bomhardt.

as

a

competition,

least an average score of 6 (Satisfactory)

hunting and carriage horse

and a purebred Arabian mare an average

as well as a long distance

score of 8 (Good) to be recorded in Book

horse.” Exceptions do occur

I of the Studbook. Shagya-Arabian stal-

above the upper height limit

lions must receive an average score of

and many approved horses

7 (Pretty Good) with no scores lower 7

stand 16 hands or over.

(Pretty Good) for type and no other score

For the Shagya-Arabian,

lower than 5 (Sufficient). Purebred Arabi-

a 10-point system is used

an stallions must receive an average score

for up to eight partial crite-

of 8 (Good) in order to be “Approved for

ria. The point system grants

Shagya-Arabian breeding.” Other eligible

scores from 10 to 1: 10 =

Shagya-Arabians have minimum average

Outstanding, 9 = Very good,

score criteria and for all eligible horses,

8 = Good, 7 = Pretty good, 6

Breeding Committees may make excep-

= Satisfactory, 5 = Sufficient,

tions at the time of inspection.

and so on, down to 1 = Very

Official ISG Judges preside over the

bad. The Partial Criteria are:

inspection process, assessing horses for

Type, Head, Neck, Body, Legs,

the aforementioned breed type, confor-

Walk, and Trot and when

mation and movement. The first steps in

possible, canter or gallop.

the inspection process are verifying the

December 2013/January 2014 horse’s identity and measuring and re-

overall

cording wither height, girth and cannon

(canter stride, ability

circumferences. Horses are then present-

to adjust stride natu-

ed in hand on the Triangle. Ideally, horses

rally for fence, tem-

are presented well groomed and clean,

perament and suit-

without the use of cosmetics and exces-

ability as a jumper).

impression

sive shaving. Each side of the Triangle is

A stallion’s per-

typically 30-40 meters, but that may be

formance testing may

changed at the discretion of the Judges.

occur at a 70-day sta-

Handlers first present the horse standing

tion testing, through

at the apex of the triangle, allowing for

open competition in

the Judges to assess the horse’s confor-

endurance, dressage,

mation and type. Upon instruction from

jumping and event-

the Judges, the handler then presents

ing, as well as other

the horse at the walk and trot on the Tri-

FEI recognized disci-

angle, traveling clockwise, allowing for

plines or at the dis-

the Judges to assess the horses gaits and

cretion of a registry’s

movement. If conditions permit, the horse

Breeding or Licens-

will then be turned loose and encouraged

ing Committee. For

to show its gaits at liberty, including the

mares,

canter and gallop.

testing is optional,

ISG Judge Tamas Rombauer measuring a stallions girth.

performance

After being judged on the Triangle,

but as with that for

owners have the option of sending the

stallions, all the ba-

horse down a free jumping chute. The

sic performance cri-

jumping chute is optional for mares (and

teria are listed in the

geldings) and mandatory for stallions.

RZBO.

The jumping chute is made up of 3 jumps,

performance require-

with specific distances before, between

ment for stallions was

and after each jump, and specific heights

officially

for rails and distances for ground poles.

worldwide in 2007,

The chute is set up parallel to one long

most European mem-

side of the ring, and tape or a similar

bers had been prac-

type of barrier is strung up along the in-

ticing this require-

side jump standards, so the horse cannot

ment for generations.

avoid a jump by running out of the side of

The term “sport

the chute. Free jumping is used to evalu-

horse” has been de-

ate the natural jumping talent of horses

fined by some as a

presented for breeding approval.

Fac-

type of horse that is

tors considered include technique (use of

specifically bred for

front and hind legs, bascule, and supple-

their suitability for the FEI disciplines of

the selection of breeding stock based

ness of the back), scope (carefulness and

showjumping, dressage and eventing.

on the conventional practices of inspec-

ease of jumping), willingness to jump, and

Warmblood breeds are widely known for

tions and performance testing. Although

Although

Nicolette’s Revelation (Shagya Royal AF x *Nicolette by O’Bajan I-10) Photos by Frankie Frazzini . Going through the jumping chute NASS inspection 2006. 3 yrs old.

a

mandated

O’Bajan Sahara SHG (Janos x Shagya Scarlette AF) 2008 mare.

Inspected & Approved 2012 Photo H.Goetz.

Continued on page 64

33

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine Angela Pritchard Photo

34

70-Day

STALLION TEST

BY ADELE FURBY

In August of 2012, I sent my young Shagya-Arabian stallion, Nicolette’s Revelation, called “Revel” to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to participate in the 70-Day Stallion Performance Test at Silver Creek Farms. Revel went on to successfully pass the test, but it wasn’t easy for either him or for me! I actually have myself, plus a few unexpected circumstances, to blame for the difficulties we encountered. But Revel, with his fantastic character and athletic ability, made up for what we lacked in preparation and good luck, to become the first Shagya-Arabian stallion in America to successfully complete this test.

S

ilver Creek Farms in Oklahoma was established some

Western European countries. Each year, the various governmen-

years ago by Summer Stoffel as a sport horse breeding

tal horse-breeding facilities would put the newest crop of 3 or

facility, specializing in Warmbloods mainly for the sports

4-year-old stallions into training for a period of time and keep

of Hunter and Jumper. Several years ago, Summer became in-

detailed records as to how each stallion handled every phase of

volved in the process of hosting stallion performance testing, and

its training. Then, at the end of the training period, each stal-

now stallion performance testing has become the main endeavor

lion performed certain tests and was given scores for his final

of the farm. There is a long tradition of such in the Eastern and

performances in the different disciplines. The ongoing training

December 2013/January 2014 scores and the final test scores were then tabulated, and the en-

out of water, and up and down various terrain. The 70-Day Per-

tire group of stallions were rated from the highest-scoring to the

formance Test has now evolved into the accepted performance

lowest-scoring. This way, the breeding experts were able to de-

test for the majority of sport horse breeds.

termine which stallions had the best potential to be used as new

In the United States beginning in the 1980’s, a few of the

breeding stallions for that particular breed or region. There was

Warmblood breed societies held “100-Day Stallion Performance

a lot of variation in how testing was done depending upon the

Tests” occasionally in various parts of the country. Many years

purpose for which each breed was developed, be it certain riding,

there were no tests at all, and it was also problematic to have

driving, or draft disciplines.

the testing run by one society or another, as inevitably the test

After World War II, a number of horse breeds were developed specifically for riding and competing in the “Olympic” disci-

could be seen as somewhat biased towards the horses registered in that particular society.

When Summer Stoffel began to develop an annual 70-day

as “military” in Europe, since the eventing test was based upon

test at Silver Creek Farms, she did so in conjunction with the

what an officer’s horse would theoretically have to be able to

North American Sport Horse Association, whose goal is to unite

do when in war—be maneuverable in battle, run long distances

the various sport horse breeding groups together through shared

cross country, and navigate over fences, through water and other

activities and promotion. She chose Harald Hoffman to manage

obstacles en route). For many years, the majority of the European

the 70-day test. A German “Pferdewirtschaftsmeister” (mas-

Warmblood Breeders used a “100-Day Test” in which the horses

ter in horse management), Hoffmann is a publicly appointed

were trained for 100 days, usually as either 3 or 4-year-olds. In

and sworn expert by the North Rhine-Westphalian Chamber of

recent years, most of the Breeding Societies have changed over

Agriculture for competition horses as well as for breeding and

to a 30-day/70-day format, whereby, as 3-year-olds, the horses

management of horses. He is also a Grand Prix rider and a judge

are trained in basic flatwork and free jumping for 30 days, and

for competition and breeding. As a master in horse management

then as 4-year-olds, the stallions are put back in training for 70

and long time competition stable and Gestüt manager, Herr Hoff-

days for their final testing, consisting of dressage, stadium jump-

mann knows about training young horses and advanced competi-

ing, free jumping, and cross country, jumping over fences, in and

tion horses, stallion and mare management, and foal raising. He

Angela Pritchard Photo

plines of dressage, jumping, and three-day eventing (also known

Revel in “hunter pose” with Summer Stoffel at Silver Creek Farms.

35

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine knows what to look for as both a breeder and rider.

Mr. Hoffman brings with him from Germany four “training riders” who are responsible for the riding and training of the stallions to be tested. The North American 70-Day Stallion Test is held in accordance with the German Stockbreeding Law following the standards of performance tests and horse breeding value requirements as ordered by the breeding associations of the German Equestrian Federation (FN). It is open to stallions of any sport horse breed that are a minimum of 3 years of age.

Upon arrival, the stallions undergo a veterinary examination before beginning the test. Once the stallions have passed the iniRevel as “cow pony”, Montana spring 2013, ridden by Richard Vrooman.

tial veterinary examination, the testing process begins.

The testing process lasts for seventy days, during which time

final testing days, the stallions are assessed by two test judges,

the stallions must remain at the testing station. During the train-

two guest jumper riders, and two guest dressage riders who were

ing period, the training director assesses the stallions in the fol-

appointed by the training director and FN representative. Every

lowing criteria: Character, Constitution, Temperament, Willing-

judge and rider assigns their own marks.

ness to Work, Ridability, Athletic Ability, Gaits (walk, trot, canter),

The following areas are judged during the final testing days:

Free Jumping & Stadium Jumping (scope, technique), and Cross

Gaits (walk, trot, canter), Ridability, Free Jumping & Stadium

Country (canter, scope, technique).

Jumping (scope, technique), and Cross Country (canter, scope,

The scores are given during the training period by a training judge and are factored in to calculate the final score. During the

technique). Judging scores are given by the judges on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest score and 1 being the lowest.

After the scores are collected, the final overall result of the

Angela Pritchard Photo

36

test is calculated with the software program developed by the German Verden VIT. The final results align with the index average score of 100 and one standard divergence of 20 points from the average (100). Stallions age five and older receive a deduction of 5% from the average achieved scores of the 3 and 4-year-old stallions in the test group. Following the same procedure, the ridability and jumping indexes are calculated. From these calculations, the stallion’s final score is calculated.

At the conclusion of the test, for each individual stallion, the “whole index,” “ridability index” and the “jumping index” are announced. After all of the scores have been announced, each stallion owner receives a score sheet showing the marks given in each individual category, along with a comparison of the average score received by all the stallions in each individual category. The score sheet also indicates the placing of the stallion in the final results of the stallion test group. The German Equestrian Federation is informed by the training director and the FN representative as to the results of the test. Results of the stallion’s test per-

On the “drop jump” on cross country, the horse goes down an incline, jumps a log at the bottom and comes up the other side. This obstacle spooked many of the stallions.

formance for licensing are made available to the registries.

Returning to Revel’s story, over the winter of 2011-2012 I

December 2013/January 2014 Angela Pritchard Photo

37

Jessica Wisdom from the USA was the American dressage test rider.

heard about this test and tried to get information about the test

Dick did not ride him during June and July at all while Revel was

from the Silver Creek Farms website. The website contained in-

being collected. Revel handled the collecting well, but he got

formation and results from the 2011 test but did not mention

rather thin and out of condition, being kept in a small corral at

having a test in 2012. I wrote to the address on the website and

Dick’s and hauled back and forth 60 miles to the clinic for his

asked if a test was planned for 2012 because I wanted to enroll

collections.

Revel in such a test. However, even after writing several inquiries, I got no answer over the following months.

In late July, out of the blue I got an e-mail from Summer Stoffel at Silver Creek Farms asking me if my questions had been an-

Meanwhile, in late January, I sent Revel to my favorite cow-

swered. I replied that I never had gotten any answer at all! She

boy trainer, Dick Vrooman of Montana, to start Revel under sad-

explained that the Stallion Performance Testing entity now had

dle. Dick is the man who trained and rode *Hadban USA during

its own, different website from the Silver Creek site, and that she

his NASS Performance Test in Endurance, and he also started

had had trouble with her e-mail server and that many e-mails

Shagya Raja AF under saddle for me. He started Revel in January

sent to her had been lost for some months and were only recent-

2012 and soon had him under saddle. Dick rode Revel on and off

ly found. I found out from her at that time that there was indeed

over the next couple of months, but with Montana winters such

going to be a 70-Day Test in 2012, and it was slated to begin on

as they are, and with Dick having only a covered round pen but

the last day of August.

no covered arena, Revel didn’t get ridden much, and most of the riding was over the icy, rocky hills to check Dick’s cattle.

In June, we began collecting and freezing Revel’s semen, and

Well, this did not give me much time to prepare Revel for a long trip to Oklahoma, not to mention getting used to an english saddle instead of Dick’s roping saddle and learning to carry the

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine snaffle bit and be ridden with contact on the bit. But, with my

I kept in touch with Summer during the training phase of the

great faith in Revel that he would rise to the occasion, I hurriedly

testing. She reported that, while Revel really didn’t know any-

found a transport to haul him the long, hot distance to Oklahoma,

thing, he was willing and had great manners. She told me on our

and Revel arrived there in mid August. Summer agreed to have

first phone conversation after his arrival that “He’s like a gelding

her training rider give Revel about two weeks to learn how to

in the cross ties.” This was encouraging! First of all, he had never

lunge, carry an english saddle, and get used to the feel of the

been in cross ties, and second of al,l he had never been anywhere

snaffle and being ridden on contact. Meanwhile, her barn man-

except on my farm and at Dick’s (and the vet clinic where he was

ager assisted me in buying all of the required blankets, sheets,

expected and encouraged to act like a stallion, not a gelding).

halters, headstalls, bits, and boots of all types by mail order

Ten days before the final weekend of testing was the sched-

through the Dover Saddlery catalog. I also had to supply a full

uled stadium jumping testing with the test riders, so I flew back

Angela Pritchard Photo

38

to see how Revel would do. It was a real thrill to see Revel all spruced up, body clipped, braided, and ridden with the other stallions! He clearly didn’t think too highly of stadium jumping however. Not that he did anything awful, just that he didn’t seem in his element by any means. Luckily, however, I was able to see him training on the cross country course the following day. By chance I had an afternoon flight, and in the morning I had gone out to the farm to watch the training. Revel was out on the cross country course with three of the warmblood stallions.

Summer had written me that “On the cross country Revel is very brave. He never hesitates.” And, indeed, I witnessed that fact on that day. The other stallions, all of whom had much more previous training than Revel, were hesitating, refusing, running out, and just generally acting challenged by the situation. On every single obstacle—jumping into water, onto platforms, down inclines, over stone walls and cribs—Revel was the only horse that never hesitated or refused. On the cross country course, Revel truly was in his element! He was showing his natural capability for bravely carrying a rider through the countryside.

On the final days of testing, there was a photographer who

My favorite photo from the Stallion Performance Test, Revel over the stone wall, Bastian Walser from Germany is the rider.

set of grooming tools.

took lots of photos as well as a videographer who videoed all of the phases of the final tests. I now have some great footage of Revel under saddle in dressage, stadium jumping, and free jump-

Summer called me to report on Revel’s safe arrival after the

ing in the arena. The cross country footage is my favorite, as Rev-

three-day van ride and asked if I wanted Revel on any of the joint

el absolutely cruised around the course with his training rider,

supplements which are used these days. She said that most of

looking fresh and energetic at the end, whereas a number of the

the stallions would be already on such supplements to help them

Warmblood stallions were winded and tiring rapidly. You can see

with any soreness they might develop while training. I replied

this cross-country ride on my website at: adeles-shagyas.com.

that I would not put Revel on anything unless he showed signs of

What did I learn about Revel and about the stallion test?

problems, and indeed Revel made it through the entire test with

Well, the most important thing I learned was that Revel, despite

absolutely no medications, soreness, or health problems what-

his handicaps, was up to the task and won over the entire training

soever.

and test riding crew with his sterling character and rugged con-

December 2013/January 2014

39

stitution (he received the highest scores for those two criteria). I

extensive training and conditioning beforehand. When one con-

also learned that it was really unfair of me to send Revel to such

siders this extra necessary training cost, the total cost to have a

a test where all of the other stallions had months or even years

stallion successfully complete a 70-Day Test should be expected

of training (and showing), whereas Revel had almost none. And

to be well over $25,000. This is the reality of modern-day sport

it was unfair of me to send him when he was not in better physi-

horse stallion performance testing.

Luckily for Revel and me, Revel managed to come through

him and managing his condition, considering that he arrived thin

sound, beautiful, and now fully approved for breeding by NASS

and not very muscled. But it was asking too much of Revel to ex-

and all ISG (Purebred Shagya-Arabian Society International) regAngela Pritchard Photo

cal condition. The Silver Creek staff did a great job of feeding

Revel with his awards from having successfully completed the 70-Day Stallion Test.

pect him to be able to gain weight during such a rugged training

istries, and he is also now eligible for presentation to Warmblood

schedule. I hope he has forgiven me for my mistakes.

breed societies as having passed his performance test require-

One of the difficulties of putting a stallion through such a test

ment. I’m looking forward to enjoying Revel under saddle myself

is expense. The flat fee of $8,500 for the Testing was very reason-

now and hope to show him in dressage. I am very grateful to Sil-

able, I feel, considering the amount of management and training

ver Creek Farms and Mr. Hoffmann and his testing team for doing

that the horses receive at Silver Creek. But there are a number of

such a great job with Revel.

other necessary expenses: tack that needs to be supplied by the

The 70-day test at Silver Creek Farms concluded on Satur-

owner, farrier, transportation, grooming fees, etc. Furthermore, I

day, November 10th, when the successful stallions received their

think any stallion sent to such a test should be in full-time train-

awards—neck rosettes and a cooler—and on November 15th our

ing for at least a year prior to going. While historically the Tests

Montana farm was sold. We began the long process of moving to

were developed for untrained horses to test their trainability, the

the new home of Adele’s Shagyas in Camp Verde, Arizona. Revel

reality is that now nearly all horses sent to such a test have had

Continued on page 65

40

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Adele’s Shagyas offers for the 2014 breeding season Internationally-certified high quality frozen semen available!!

Four Approved Shagya-Arabian Stallions at Stud

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The only Shagya-Arabian stallion in America to successfully complete the 70-day stallion test at Silver Creek Farms, Tulsa, OK. 2014 fee: $950

An elegant stallion with great movement for dressage. A good choice for mares who need refinement and uphill movement: 2014 fee:$750

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Onyx AF

The only Shagya-Arabian stallion in America successfully competing in FEI Endurance. Rare Romanian endurance blood!. 2014 fee: $950

The only approved black Shagya-Arabian stallion in America. His sire was an FEI 100-mile endurance stallion, his dam is dressage-bred. 2014 fee: $750

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December 2013/January 2014

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Nicolettes Revelation AF (Shagya Royal AF x *Nicolette by O’Bajan I-10)

Revel on the cross country course at his 70 day stallion performance test Revel shows his bravery

Revel free jumped 1 meter 50 (5 ft.) at his 70 day test

Portrait at Revel’s 70 day test

Revel’s official inspection photo, age 3, 2009

Training rider aboard Revel at the 70 day performance test

Stadium jumping under test rider

Dressage phase Test rider in dressage phase

Available via internationally certified excellent quality frozen semen

42

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

December 2013/January 2014

Athena Goddess of Dressage The saying goes, “Obstacles are what you see when you take your eye off your goal.” For Rita Mason, after an initial readjustment in plans, she kept her focus fixed on that goal. Her partner in this? An Anglo-Arabian mare named Athena.

Rita grew up with another Anglo, Fadjur grandson Abdul Fadaar, whom her father bought her when she was just eight. Together, they clocked thousands of competitive trail miles, including six 100-milers. Rita was only 14 when they did their first 100.

When it came time to look for a new horse for endurance, it was a given that the horse must also be an Anglo. Rita chose Athena, a yearling, because of her sire. LS Zane Grey had a stellar career in endurance as well as in siring endurance athletes.

Perfect!

When Athena was three and still too young for endurance, Rita introduced her to dressage. The young mare was a natural. Rita took her to a few open shows at Training Level, and Athena won. They even competed in an open USDF breed show, competing in all three classes that were required to be eligible for the Ultimate Sport Horse Champion ATR (SHIH, Materiale, and SHUS)—and Athena won it. (All of the other horses that competed against them were Hanoverians.) But even with all of these successes, Rita’s plan was still to do endurance.

Athena’s first distance ride was a 30-miler when she was four. They finished just fine, but Rita could tell that this wasn’t Athena’s idea of fun. “She was always spooking at random things, like a big rock. She wouldn’t drink from puddles or streams; it was like she thought I was trying to make her go through water instead of looking at it as an opportunity to drink. Apparently, she only likes to drink from buckets like a ‘civilized’ horse,” Rita recalled. It was then that their path became clear. Dressage it was!

Rita worked a lot on her own with training Athena, intending to only go to Second Level, initially. At the age of four, Athena was earning from mid-60’s to 70% at Training Level. Throughout, Rita rode with some great instructors, but she primarily trained with Colleen Reid of Equine Sports Complex.

During Athena and Rita’s first season with Colleen, they pulled a 73+% in First Level and a 65+% in Second Level by mid-year. It is safe to say that this was their start down the path to FEI dressage.

During the mare’s five-year-old year, they were consistently placing in the 60’s in First and Second Levels, even earning three Regional Championships. The fol-

43

44

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine lowing year, Athena and Rita rode the FEI six-year-old test at the

around in her Intro test.”

Golden State CDI***, earning a 59.4%. (They ended up ranked

In 2007, Athena took Arial Wesgate in for her first success-

10th in the nation for FEI six-year-olds against all breeds and rid-

ful dressage tests. Arial was 10 and had tried showing her Quar-

ers.) They continued at Third and moved into Fourth Level, also

ter Horse in a dressage test, which hadn’t gone well. So Athena

winning two Regional Champions at Third and hitting low 60’s

stepped up to the task again and took Ariel in for some confi-

for scores.

dence-building, safe tests.

That same year, Rita earned her USDF Bronze Medal on Athe-

At the same time Arial showed the horse, Athena was also

na. No small feat, since to achieve that level, the rider must have

showing FEI with Rita and schooling piaffe at home. “At the Re-

earned two scores of 60% or better from two different judges at

gional Championships the day before the show started, Arial was

First, Second and Third Levels. It was at this point that Rita real-

schooling Athena at the show grounds, and her instructor told her

ized that she just might be capable of earning her Silver and Gold

to drive into the halt from the trot, and she did. The next thing

medals as well.

you know there is Athena performing a nice piaffe with a 10-year-

In 2004, with Athena just seven years old, Rita kicked it up

old on her,” recalled Rita.

a notch with a trip to Sport Horse Nationals planned for the fall.

Then there was the 2008 Region 3 Sport Horse Champion-

They competed all year at Third and Fourth Level, with a few for-

ships, where Rita and Athena performed, for the first time, an

ays into Prix St. Georges at Pebble Beach and Golden State, scor-

incredibly unique demonstration. Rita made up her own dres-

ing mid-50’s. At Sport Horse Nationals, they were named National

sage test and had the announcer read a script that described the

Champion Fourth Level ATR with a 59.348%. Additionally Athena

movements and level one would commonly see them. Rita then

won a Top Ten in Show Hack ATR. “Winning National Champion in our very first National class was mind blowing! We still didn’t have our flying changes consistently at that time, so we had some mistakes there, but the rest of the test was good enough to make up for that. There were some really nice horses in my class, so it was so amazing to come out on top,” said Rita.

Rita and Athena kept perfecting their skills in both Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges, and in 2005 they earned Rita’s USDF Silver Medal. In 2007, they had their first big year showing PSG, consistently scoring into the mid-60’s.

Meanwhile, Athena was also serving as a schoolmaster for some very lucky little girls in Intro WalkTrot dressage classes for riders 10-and-under in age.

The first one was Katelynn Thompson, the daughter of the people who own Athena’s sire. “At one show, we only had 20 minutes after I finished my Fourth Level ride before Katelynn had her Intro ride. So we switched Athena’s double bridle for the snaffle in the warmup ring, shortened the stirrups and threw Katelynn on. Athena immediately turned off her Fourth Level power and carried Katelynn safely 2004 Sport Horse National Champion Fourth Level ATR

December 2013/January 2014

45

Horses being horses, those last few years working toward Grand Prix were not without setbacks. Athena suffered three separate injuries, requiring layoffs and rehabs of six to eight months each. Just one could have ended the career of a lesser horse, but not Athena. Rita wisely used the down time to perfect basics at the walk and trot, which made this time off very valuable.

In 2009, thanks to Athena’s demonstrations of skill to the general public and her prowess in the show ring, she was bestowed the great honor of being named AHA Ambassador Award winner.

Seven years after Athena and Rita started their dressage career, they sat poised on the verge of achieving the most prestigious award a dressage rider can earn—the Gold Medal. They Athena and Rita performing their bridleless dressage demonstration

needed just two more qualifying scores from two different judges

took the bridle off Athena and did the same exact test showing

to put them over the top. And guess what? They did it in just four

that the commands for the movements don’t come from the bri-

rides! The last was at the Pacific Coast Arabian Sport Horse Classic

dle. The pair then galloped down centerline, slid to a stop and

where they received a 63.317%. A waiting bottle of champagne

bowed to the audience. The crowd went wild!

was cracked open, and the celebrating commenced. There were

Rita also related a story about Athena doing an exhibition at

just a few more shows to attend before Rita would retire from SHERI SCOTT PHOTO

the Western States Horse Expo in June, 2009: “We rode in the Arabian breed demonstration and also rode for the dressage clinician, Melissa Creswick—Athena was a star. People followed me out of the arena to tell me how beautiful my horse was and how impressed they were. Melissa was happy because, as she said, ‘There wasn’t anything I asked you to do that you couldn’t do.’”

Rita continued, “I had an incredible experience the day before the Expo started, too, while I was schooling Athena in the arena. Other people were riding their horses around practicing as well. So at one point, I practiced the bow and this cowboy comes by and says, ’That’s pretty cool.’ I thanked him and we continued with our respective practices. Then after a line of two tempi (flying lead) changes, he came by again and said, ‘That’s pretty cool, too!’ We started talking as I was cooling Athena out—turns out he was Richard Winters (2009 winner of Road To The Horse). I was very flattered that a guy that really knows horses liked my mare.”

During the 2008-2009 show season, Athena and Rita competed in Intermediate-1 and 2, garnering scores and laying the groundwork for competing at Grand Prix in 2010—the last of the scores needed for the Gold Medal. This medal requires two scores of 60% or better from two different judges at I-1, I-2 and Grand Prix. The skills at these levels become increasingly difficult, and earning high marks takes years and years of work to accomplish.

Colleen and Athena

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

46

showing Athena herself and breed her.

In September of that year, Rita and Athena headed to Idaho

pete with Madison and Colleen both—showing Intro and FEI at the same show and doing well in both levels in competition.

to show at Sport Horse Nationals. “My last competition ride on

Madison said that Athena taught her several important things:

Athena at SHN was very emotional as it was planned to be my

to be aware of her surroundings because Athena rules the arena,

last ride on her in competition. It was all I could do to hold it to-

show etiquette because Athena was the first horse she showed

gether while warming up and the tears came as soon as I gave

in dressage, how to navigate a warm up arena, and geometry be-

my final salute at G to one of my favorite judges, Sandi Chohany.

fore learning it in school. Athena also made her feel safe because

They were tears of joy for reaching the ultimate goal I had set

she’s not spooky although she was really far from the ground.

for us - riding Grand Prix at the Nationals.” They had secured the

Athena’s value as a teacher has brought its own rewards for

Reserve National Championship, with a score that was less than

Rita: “It has always been so fun for me to watch people learn how

two points behind the winner.

to ride, or improve their skills on Athena. She has been used as

Now that Rita had just finished competing her, Athena needed

a lesson horse for people taking their first rides ever to people

a job to keep her busy while they were working on getting her

working on higher levels that just want to feel how something

pregnant.” (The husband of choice was the Arabian Legend of

is supposed to feel when the horse understands the movement.

Khouraj, an Arabian stallion Rita chose for his conformation, sub-

Athena even helped a friend overcome her fears after she be-

stance and movement.)

came afraid of riding her own horse as a side effect from medica-

Into Athena’s life stepped Madison Winters, an eight-year-old who was having fun showing the pony she was taking jumping

tion. Athena never gets angry when her rider makes a mistake, she just tries her best to do what they ask for.”

lessons on, but also wanted to try dressage. So into the show ring

In May of 2012, Khourajous Zoria was born. Gray, like her

Athena went with her youngest rider yet . Amazingly, she was

parents, with a blaze and a need for speed, she shows the same

also being ridden by Colleen at Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges,

sensible temperament as Athena. The plan is for Rita to train her

who was going for her Silver Medal. Athena continued to com-

for dressage. “Hopefully she will like it so I don’t have to learn

TAMARA TORTI PHOTO

another discipline like I did to keep Athena happy,” laughs Rita.

This year, Athena came back from her maternity leave like she hadn’t missed a day. This time, her rider was Ashleigh FloresSimmons, a young rider with cerebral palsy that had ridden her own Half-Arabian in dressage with Colleen. “It was the plan that when Athena came back to work, it would be under Ashleigh, thus giving Ashleigh a chance to advance her riding through working with a horse that truly knew what was being asked of her,” said Colleen.

Ashleigh and Athena made their debut in Para Equestrian tests at the CDI*** at Rancho Murieta in April with a First Level score of 69%. She followed that up in open competition competing against able-bodied riders at First Level with scores from 62% up to 67%.

The pair also earned the High Score Amateur Athena performing the piaffe

December 2013/January 2014 GREY HORSE PHOTOGRAPHY

47

Award at the Arabian Horse Assoc. of Northern California Region II and III Qualifiers. At their next show, Ashleigh brought her First Level scores up to 68%.

In Ashleigh’s very first international competition, she earned a qualifying score to the World Equestrian Games with an average of 60.833% and followed that up with her first Freestyle competition earning an average of 64.417%. “Athena demonstrated again her amazing temperament as well as ridability as she allowed Ashleigh to learn and advance far faster than Ashleigh ever imagined possible,” explained Colleen.

Madison Winters her homework. She knew Athena could do more than anyone else

While it is always challenging for a rider and horse to be

ever thought. Athena matched Rita’s desire with her great heart.

learning new skills simultaneously, Rita and Athena together pos-

She was always willing to reach for that extra percent when Rita

sessed great commitment and heart. “Rita had the desire to ad-

would ask for it,” recalled Colleen.

Rita also credits Colleen with her success. “I couldn’t have GREY HORSE PHOTOGRAPHY

vance and the commitment to show up, rain or heat. And she did

done it without Colleen’s guidance and friendship. She has a knack for noticing slight changes in my position that make a big difference in my horse.”

Athena’s conformation isn’t perfect for the job, but that only made the mare work harder. Her strengths certainly helped Athena overcome these. “This horse’s trainability, temperament, ridability and suitability were unquestionable. She is always willing to do the exercises that it takes to increase her own strength and balance. Her willingness and desire to please allow the rider to coax more and more work from her where another horse might just throw in the towel,” said Colleen.

Continued on page 71 Para-Equestrian, Ashleigh Flores-Simmons

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine PHOTO COURTESY OF BIDDESDEN STUD

48

cloning a Legend Whether you find the act of cloning an animal to be creepy or cool, you have

adult somatic cell using the nuclear trans-

cleus from a donor adult, or somatic cell,

fer process.

is transferred to an egg with no nucleus. If

to admit that the science behind it is fas-

Nuclear transfer involves removing

the egg divides normally, it is placed into

cinating! The owners of cloned animals

the DNA from an oocyte or unfertilized

the surrogate mother’s uterus to develop

each have diverse personal reasons for

egg and injecting the nucleus, which con-

normally.

making use of that science.

tains the DNA to be cloned. Because of

The first cloned horse was Prometea, a

the low rate of success and inefficiency,

Haflinger born in 2003 in Italy, carried by

this method was later discontinued.

her donor mother, and took 814 attempts

A frog was successfully cloned back in 1958 at Oxford. The first cloned mammal was likely a mouse cloned from an em-

Today, scientists use Somatic Cell

bryonic cell in the Soviet Union in 1986.

Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) for reproductive

Soon after was a clone of Valerie Ka-

Probably the best known was the sheep,

cloning (cloning of animals that are ge-

navy’s champion endurance Arabian, Pi-

Dolly, who was cloned in 1996 from an

netically identical). In this process, the nu-

eraz, who also sired the first clone prog-

TOP: TOMATILLO, THE CLONE OF TAMARILLO

to create.

December 2013/January 2014 eny in 2008.

equine welfare.”

49

the 1960s, the idea was intriguing to Finn.

But cloned animals, while genetically

This year, the extraordinary Anglo-

identical, are not necessarily identical in

Arabian event horse Tamarillo was suc-

At the suggestion of Kathleen Mc-

appearance or personality. Environment

cessfully cloned. On June 20, a bright-bay

Nulty, who runs Replica Farm, they put

and biology also play a role.

colt with the same hind sock was born and

together a syndicate of investors to offset

will soon make the trip to England to grow

the $165,000 price tag. These investors

up where Tamarillo did.

will earn a percentage of the clone’s fu-

Horse cloning in the U.S. is done by ViaGen in Texas and through Replica Farm

The cost was their only deterrent.

in Bedminster, NJ. One of the first horses

Tamarillo’s owners, Hon. Finn and

cloned was Charmayne James’s champion

Mary Guinness, bred Tam at their Biddes-

barrel racer, Scamper, in 2006 at a cost of

den Stud. His sire was the Polish Anglo-

They haven’t decided whether Toma-

$150,000. Charmayne’s plan was to use

Arabian Tarnik and his dam, Mellita, was

tillo will compete or not. His real job is to

the clone for her breeding program, which

an Anglo and Mary’s favorite hunter.

pass on the genes his owners developed

ture stud fees, but the Guinnesses will be his caretakers and decision makers.

was not an option for Scamper, a gelding.

Tamarillo was gelded early on and

through a lifetime of conventional breed-

Since then, many exceptional horses

went on to be trained and competed by

ing, only to have it be a genetic dead end

have been cloned: Olympians Sapphire

William Fox-Pitt. Together, they won at

with a gelding.

and Gem Twist, Welsh hunter pony Rain-

Badminton and Burghley in the 4*s, Team

“It’s enormously exciting to build on

bow Connection, show jumper ET, cutting

Silver in the Athens Olympics and World

that rather than go back and try to find

champion Royal Blue Boon, Quidam De

Equestrian Games in Aachen, just to name

the same bloodlines, some of which have

Revel and many more. Most are never go-

a few. His career was cut short during the

died out,” says Finn. “Tamarillo’s genes

ing to compete: their clones will only be

Olympics when he injured his stifle.

have been proven to have special merit.

used for breeding.

He is a big mover, with great agility and

In South America, since 2010, the

had to be put down before they could du-

adjustability, stamina, and found the big-

business of cloning polo ponies is very

plicate the breeding. As far back as 2008,

gest tracks in the world so easy.”

lucrative, with horses bringing prices of

the Guinnesses talked about the possibil-

Read more about Biddesden Stud in the

$800,000 before they are of age to play.

ity of cloning their most famous home-

February/March 2013 edition of The Ara-

The American Jockey Club, who still

bred. As a scientist with a PhD in epige-

bian Sport Horse Magazine.

refuses to allow artificial insemination,

netics who had tried cloning mammals in

has said clones will never be used in racing or for breeding. The American Quarter Horse Association refused to register clones but was subsequently forced to allow it by a Federal judge. This decision is under appeal.

The use of clones in competition (except those strictly sanctioned by breed organizations) is allowed, as are the offspring of clones. Just last year, the FEI reversed a previous ban stating, “The FEI will continue to monitor further research, especially with regard to

Tamarillo

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIDDESDEN STUD

Meanwhile, his dam was injured and

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Half-Arabian

Makes The Medals

L

Courtesy of Beth Steinke

50

uck brought a talented over-achieving Half-Arabian

In April, thanks to placings at the Little Everglades CDE, the Sun-

driving pony and a world champion driver together, but

shine State CAI and the Live Oak International, Suzy and Josie

dedication and hard work is what helped the pair make

were named the Florida Triple Crown winners. At the Live Oak

history.

CDE, they earned the title of Reserve National Champion. Now they were also long-listed for the World Championships.

Miss Josephine, registered as WB Savannah, was bred by Peg-

About that time, Beth Steinke had been told to check Josie

gy Andrus. Her sire is the Morgan LWM Mannie B and her dam is

out as a possible second half to her pair. Ultimately, Beth worked

the Arabian mare Aaja (BPL Agression x Que Pache).

out a deal to buy Josie while still allowing Suzy to compete her

Josie’s next owner was National Champion driver Wendy

at all the qualifiers in order to attend the World Championships

O’Brien, who didn’t think Josie was working out as part of her

in Slovenia. Suzy was fairly confident that they would be named

driving pair. Wendy sent Josie to international combined driving

to Team USA.

competitor Suzy Stafford to train and sell. Suzy was so impressed

So Josie and Suzy headed to Europe to compete at some of

with Josie’s work ethic, quick progress and athletic ability that

the large events there, in order to gain experience. At the German

she ended up buying her after just one competition.

National Championships, they were in the lead until some diffi-

Suzy and Josie started out together by winning at a couple of Preliminary Level CDEs, before moving up in February of 2011 to Advanced, where they were 1st or 2nd in each competition.

culties on the cones course put them out of contention for the US Team. They would have to compete at Worlds as an individual.

Beth made the trip to Slovenia to watch her new pony go up

51 Courtesy of Beth Steinke

Courtesy of Beth Steinke

December 2013/January 2014

Dressage at the World Championships

Marathon at the World Championships

against the best ponies and drivers in the world. Suzy asked Beth

so that she, as Josie’s owner, could ride into the ring for the med-

to ride as groom in the carriage during this, Josie’s fifth time driv-

al ceremony. Beth sat holding the lines with tears in her eyes as

ing an FEI level dressage test. What a thrill it must have been to

Suzy accepted her Bronze Medal. How lucky she felt to have ex-

be there when Josie earned her highest dressage score of her

perienced being the owner of a World Champion!

relatively short career!

How did Suzy take this fairly inexperienced pony to the top

They were in 5th place overall after dressage, then came in

of their sport? “I have competed for the United States in 4 World

12th in the marathon, putting them well within striking distance

Championships and for some reason that time I was extremely re-

for a medal. She had a good bit of competition from the US and

laxed…maybe this came with familiarity and experience! I knew

other countries, so it all came down to cones.

and was comfortable with Josie’s current stage of training (it was

Suzy and Josie were the first clear round but had a small

maybe behind a few of the other seasoned ponies) and I did not

time penalty. The 2nd place driver went double clear, putting

ask her for more than she was capable of at that time,” said Suzy.

Suzy and Josie in fourth and out of the medals. Then came the

“This gave me a consistent round all three days with no mistakes.

1st place driver, a German. Beth recalled, “I watched with bated

In the heat of the moment it is easy to ask for more than you and

breath while he knocked down enough cones to put Suzy and Jo-

your equine is used to, and I find this usually results in mistakes

sie back into 3rd place… Suzy and Josie had won an individual

or tension.”

Bronze Medal!”

When asked what characteristics Josie possessed that made

Beth and Suzy washed and groomed Josie, braided her mane

her come out on top so often, Suzy explained, “Josie is very

with red, white and blue ribbons and decorated the carriage with

athletic and powerful for her size. She has huge ground cover-

American flags. Beth borrowed a hat, gloves, jacket and lap robe

ing gaits with a confident temperament. She was consistent in

Courtesy of Beth Steinke

all three phases but if you asked her, she was a marathon girl… she had the strength, power, and confidence that is needed for a super marathon pony. She also was able to cover ground making it easier for her to keep up with the faster, more experienced ponies.”

About the Arabian breed in general, Suzy said, “I have worked with other Arabian crossbreds and they tend to carry a few similar characteristics no matter what the cross. I found that very interesting. Their length of stride and endurance seems to play a big part in their success in the sport. Sound of body and mind is key to any driving animal, for sport or recreation.“

Winning the bronze

Continued on page 65

52

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Reading Reflections Effective Riding A Series By Dawn Jones-Low Books have always been important to me. As a child, I spent countless hours reading at home and at the public library. Growing up in the suburbs in a non-horsey family, books were also my main entryway to the world of horses and provided fuel for my dreams. Several decades into adulthood, books are still a treasure to me as they continue to inspire and inform all areas of my life –including riding and horsemanship.

Reading vintage equestrian books provides insights to the

The origin of the modern competitive sport disciplines in

perspectives and expectations of other eras. Effective Horseman-

the military tradition is still reflected today in the methodically

ship by the British amateur rider G.N. Jackson was published in

progressive nature of these disciplines, but most of us have no

1967 at a time when interest in dressage was growing in both the

direct experience with the kind of intense system that character-

UK and the US (it was fairly well established as the predominant

ized the military equestrian schools. Mr. Jackson’s book provides

riding tradition on the “Continent” by then) as a competitive dis-

a window into that world from an era when the connection be-

cipline and as a source of practical tools to be applied to other

tween the competitive sport disciplines and their cavalry roots

riding disciplines. Mr. Jackson was a diplomat who had the good

was tangible.

fortune to have the opportunity to take the 9-month course in eq-

The expectations for that intensive program at Mafra were

uitation for officer instructors at the Portuguese Military School

that a rider starting from an elementary riding level could achieve

of Equitation at Mafra. When he was stationed to a new post, he

a rather comprehensive set of skills including “[establishing] a

decided to draw upon his Mafra education to assist the local polo

deep and supple seat, education in the aids on horses trained to

team to im-

the Prix St. George and even Grand Prix Dressage standard, and

prove their

the final stages of training a young horse in Dressage up to the

riding and

Prix St. George level.” Instruction also included show jumping,

their hors-

cross country jumping, a bit of polo, teaching students to ride,

es’ perfor-

and lectures in riding theory and in veterinary topics. Each week

mances on

over the 9 months of the program included 30 hours of riding and

the

polo

3 hours of lecture! (That’s over a thousand hours in the saddle in

Mr.

that time period.) Graduates of this program could then teach

Jackson

riders and train horses by applying the principles and tools of

later

the system.

field.

ex-

panded

The scope of the book is phenomenal. Jackson comprehen-

his lecture

sively covers first the systematic development of the rider’s seat

notes into a

and aids, then initial training of the young horse­—the “débour-

book aimed

rage,” thirdly “basic” dressage, followed by a summary of training

at a wider

to the specialized Grand Prix dressage, and finally by chapters

audience.

addressing the application of “basic” dressage principles to show

December 2013/January 2014

jumping, fox hunting, steeple-chasing, the cross country phase

in raising young horses, the chapters on the débourrage stage

of eventing, and polo in a degree and manner that suits each of

of training the horse are of particular interest to me. The term

those disciplines. The book is full of diagrams and illustrations

“débourrage” refers to the early stage of training that extends

(drawings and photos) to assist in explaining the many exercises

from preparing the young horse to be backed through a progres-

and the methodical approach to developing riders and horses to

sive education up to a standard that is roughly equivalent to First

a high standard of horsemanship. The combination of the thor-

Level dressage with a bit of jumping and plenty of outdoor rid-

oughness of the training program and Jackson’s clarity of com-

ing. “The débourrage can be summed up as the domestication of

munication from his diplomatic service allows this book to serve

the horse [acclimating the horse to human handling], making him

as a useful resource for any serious sport horse rider.

calm, building up his confidence in himself and his rider, develop-

The entire book is a rich resource, but as a breeder involved

ing his physical condition, and his elementary education to the aids…” (pg. 68). Jackson clearly recognizes that this early phase of training forms the foundation for the horse’s later career and is thus deserving of thoroughness and thoughtfulness. Emphasis on the young horse in the débourrage period is on outdoor work over varied terrain to cultivate balance, progressive fitness, and confidence. “A good programme for the week would be: three days outside; two days in the school; one day’s work unmounted, lunging or free jumping for instance; one day’s rest.” (pg. 78) The importance of fitness work over outdoor terrain for cultivating long term soundness and a good work ethic seems to have been largely forgotten outside of the endurance and eventing worlds, but that approach was once considered essential for all well-educated sport horses.

The system Jackson presents is methodical but not mechanical—the mental and emotional welfare of the horse is continually highlighted as integral to optimal results. “A good horse’s

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54

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine experience is built up from a series of lessons successfully and

end. They are also often the cause of physical unsoundness in

happily learned… Strive throughout these lessons to preserve his

the horse later in life.” (pg. 94)

youthful gaiety and to develop his initiative.” (pg. 69) “You will

After the sections on educating the rider and the young

make much quicker progress if you can so arrange your horse’s

horse, Jackson provides equally thorough descriptions of the

training that he associates it with enjoyment.” (pg. 69)

next phases of “dressing” the horse. Beyond the excellent sys-

Attaining ever increasing calmness and confidence as train-

tem for progressive training, the division of the different phases

ing progresses is reinforced throughout the book. In context, it

of the training reveals an interesting set of expectations.

is clear that by “calmness,” the author is not referring to a lack

“basic” dressage which follows the débourrage phase starts with

of liveliness, but instead means “equanimity.” The responsibility

elements that are roughly equivalent to Second Level dressage

for the horse’s development is with the rider and Jackson wisely

(with the addition of the double bridle) and progresses to at-

advises, “Above all proceed by graduated stages, each of which

tain a level of suppleness, responsiveness, and athleticism that

should prepare the horse for the next. Most riders want to go

is the Prix St. George standard. A horse of that level is said to

too fast and to miss essential steps. As a result their horses do

be a “pleasure to ride” and “useful for many purposes.” Any

not understand what they want, or are not sufficiently prepared

horse of good conformation and temperament is assumed to be

physically to be able to comply with their riders’ demands. This

capable of being trained to this level, so long as the training is

irritates the horse and causes him to contract his muscles and

thorough and correct. For horses that have sufficient talent, spe-

to resist. To achieve a steady and sustained progress you must

cialization—whether in dressage to the Grand Prix standard or in

proceed methodically. Short cuts usually take much longer in the

another discipline like eventing, show-jumping, fox-hunting, or

The

polo—can then be built upon the foundation of a horse that has been trained in the double bridle to be supple, obedient, and adjustable laterally and longitudinally in all gaits.

The underlying presumption for the equestrian who desires to become an educated and effective rider is that the foundational goal is to become capable of riding and preparing horses to the Prix St. George standard. “You will certainly need instruction,

December 2013/January 2014 and some natural aptitude if you are to train your own horses to

to look for the following qualities: “For both athletic and artistic

the Prix St. Georges standard of Dressage. But… there is no rea-

riding, the very best natural paces… well set on heads and necks,

son at all why the averagely constituted rider should not attain

and strong loins and hocks, and of course, an alert but calm tem-

this standard if he has the necessary time, the perseverance, and

perament. Look for a horse that walks well with a long swinging

suitable horses to work on.” (pg. 94) Later, Jackson writes, “Learn-

stride, for if he walks well he is likely to move well at other pac-

ing to ride well is also a matter of riding enough, and of getting

es.” (pg. 94) Notably for us in the Arabian sport horse community,

a sufficiently wide variety of riding experience. … If you cannot

Jackson goes on to say that, “A high proportion of horses with

always get good horses, then ride the best you can get; for you

these qualities are to be found among English Thoroughbreds,

will only improve riding by riding. … Of course some people are

pure Arabs, and others bred from them, although good horses are

naturally more athletic and more gifted in many ways than oth-

to be found in many other breeds.” (pg. 94) While the favorit-

ers; and given equal opportunities, a few will always emerge well

ism toward Thoroughbreds by an Englishman in that era is not

ahead of their fellows in any activity. But that does not preclude

surprising (Thoroughbreds were highly successful in the sport

the average athletic person from reaching a very high standard

disciplines at the time), singling out the Arabian demonstrates

indeed in riding—often higher than that of the ‘naturals’—if he

that the breed was well respected for its qualities as an athlete

is suitably taught, and has the enthusiasm and the means suf-

for sport disciplines and as a source for those qualities in deriva-

ficiently to practice what he learns.” (pg. 320)

tive breeds. (There are several other favorable mentions of the

In terms of selecting suitable horses, Jackson cautions against

capableness of Arabians scattered in the text.)

just relying on conformation to evaluate potential and stresses

While the goals of riding and training to the Prix St. George

the importance of riding the horse to test its capabilities, unless

standard and then perhaps beyond that to a specialized disci-

of course the horse is not yet under saddle. He advises, in part,

pline may seem rather lofty to many of us, it remains true that if

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine in many parts of the country, we are losing access to the “outdoor riding” terrain that helps to condition the bodies and minds of both horses and riders. For young riders, the US Pony Club offers opportunities to develop a good foundational horsemanship. If you are an adult, you can seek an instructor that adheres to the traditional methods of using lunge lessons and various riding gymnastics to help students develop a secure seat as well as offering lessons on schoolmasters to teach students what specific movements feel like and the aids that are required to elicit them.

With appropriate guidance from a

qualified instructor, riding a variety of horses in the ring, out hacking, over fences, and in you have access to an instructor who follows the kind of system-

other disciplines (distance riding would be a good one to include)

atic program outlined in Jackson’s Effective Horsemanship and

will help to hone a rider’s balance, effectiveness, and confidence.

you are willing to put in the time and effort, you should be able to

Effective Horsemanship provides a useful roadmap of what

develop the skill to ride effectively at that level.

is required if you want to achieve a high standard of riding and

In the US, finding suitable resources for following the training

horsemanship, and even if your goals are more modest, this book

regimen presented in Jackson’s book is particularly challenging

contains many helpful exercises and underlying theories to in-

because the US lacks the infrastructure of the riding academies

form and inspire you on the path to improving your riding and

and instructor certification that exists in Europe. Additionally,

expanding your understanding of the guiding principles of good horsemanship.

December 2013/January 2014

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58

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

A Wonder Pony

by Tamara Boose

“For Sale: 1999 Purebred Arabian Gelding, Bay, $800” was the ad on DreamHorse.com I couldn’t resist looking at the ad even though my budget

me. “I’ve never had a patient survive a broken leg. All I can tell

was in the $3000-$5000 range, and $800 was, obviously, below

you is that it healed clean and the bone is the same length as

that range. It was spring of 2004, and I was shopping for my own

his other leg.” The plate and screws had not been removed, and

Dream Horse, an Arabian: the breed with which I had been en-

there was significant bone growth over the area. “I recommend

amored for years but never had the chance to own.

you do whatever you want to with him, and if he comes up lame,

My first horse was a rescue that I co-owned with my friend,

you’ll know to stop.”

Barbara Koelzer, and now that she had purchased horse proper-

I had no big showing aspirations at that time—I just wanted

ty, I had the opportunity to buy a horse of my own—my dream

a horse that I could ride the trails with—so I dragged my good

Arabian. The horse in the ad was in Wyoming, not too far from

friend Barb with me to see him. I tried him out under saddle,

my home in Northern Colorado, so I clicked on the link for more

knowing he was extremely green, and indeed he was not lame

information. The picture showed a very cute, fuzzy little horse,

in either direction, although he did not seem to like cantering to

but the advertisement was honest and clear: although currently

the right. I agreed to buy him, and the manager was extremely re-

sound, Rashad Alcibiades (Tsea Traveler x Nova Wind) had broken

lieved. She really liked Rashad and would have had to take him to

his right leg as a weanling, was only green broke and desperately

a local auction house if she couldn’t find a new home for him. The

needed a loving home.

ranch owner was downsizing the herd, and the horses had to go,

“A broken leg?” I thought to myself. I was slightly disap-

one way or the other. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure

pointed but not too surprised since I knew there had to be a

out what would probably happen to a five-year-old, green-broke

catch to the $800 price tag, as he actually had a pretty nice pedi-

Arabian with a plate and screws in his leg should he find himself

gree. I guess my “rescue” mentality was still in full gear because,

at a local auction house in rural Wyoming!

against all common sense, I actually called the contact number

It took some time to get Rashad down to Colorado, but once

to get more information. The contact, a manager of a small ranch

here, he was nervous, skittish and so green that I soon hit the limit

in northern Wyoming not too far from Jackson Hole, gave me a

of my ability to train him. “Green and green make black and blue”

little more information about Rashad and the name and number

was the saying that kept coming to fruition, and at one point I had

of the veterinarian that had recently examined Rashad and taken

almost given up, telling myself, “You don’t know what you are do-

radiographs of his leg.

ing; you have no business owning a horse like this.” Thankfully, I

“I can’t tell you his prognosis as a riding horse,” the vet told

have a wonderful network of talented and supportive horsemen

December 2013/January 2014 here in Colorado, and my dear friend, Colin Bate, pointed me to

later found out that Rashad’s broken leg (a comminuted fracture

a local dressage trainer, Kathleen Donnelly. He said she was very

of the right radius and styloid process of the ulna repaired by

patient and didn’t mind working with beginners—horses or rid-

a stainless plate and 13 screws) was the result of human mis-

ers.

handling. The ranch manager had recently found out that his Although I originally didn’t have any plans to compete with

broken leg was the result of him being “roped down” by some

Rashad in dressage, I felt that dressage training would help re-

ranch hands no longer employed at the ranch. Rashad had been

build Rashad’s right side, particularly his right shoulder which

six months old at the time of the injury, February of 2000, and in

was considerably underdeveloped compared to his left.

addition to the fracture, Rashad had arrived at the animal hospital with pneumonia after a long trailer drive. It was a wonder that he was alive, let alone sound!

The first year in training was spent building his strength and slowly building his confidence. He was taken to local dressage shows, and although he did not compete, he seemed to enjoy the attention he received while at the show, which was our goal.

While Kathleen was training Rashad, she also gave me lessons on him, and we were learning together— a beginner horse and a beginner rider. She made sure that Rashad was always a step ahead of me such that if I asked him correctly, he’d respond. Due to this method, Rashad became a “tattle tale,” for he was so sensitive that he responded to what your body would tell him to do even though it might not be what you meant to tell him!

During the second year, Rashad made considerable progress both physically and mentally. He had a fabulous walk, a good trot and a canter that was slowly improving. We showed him at Training Level in local and USEF/USDF-rated shows, and by the end of the year, he had made such an improvement that Rashad earned the “You’ve come a long way, Baby” award from our local USDF GMO. The award is given to the horse that has the greatest spread in its dressage scores during the show season. Rashad always attracted attention at each show; he was so little, so cute and so well mannered that few people could believe he was a purebred

March 2005, right versus left side/shoulder I set up an appointment to meet Kathleen and check out the

Arabian! At somewhere around 14 hands, and barefoot, we started calling him “Rashad the Wonder Pony.”

facility. I knew that many trainers have a prejudice against Ara-

The third year in training, we set a goal of qualifying Rashad

bians, and I wanted to make sure she was up to the challenge,

at Training Level in dressage for the Arabian and Half-Arabian

understood Rashad’s situation and my goals. “We aren’t going to

Sport Horse National Championships. “You want to go to Sport

the Olympics any time soon,” I told her. “I want him to be able

Horse Nationals with my broken-legged horse?” I asked Kath-

to walk, trot and canter in both directions and canter out in an

leen. “Why not?” she replied. Kathleen felt the required scores

open field.” We made an appointment for her to evaluate him,

were within Rashad’s ability, and since Kathleen was a four-time

and soon Rashad was in full training. The adventure began.

National USDF Young Rider qualifier, I knew she could handle the

Rashad was afraid of everything! He had almost no confidence and placed no trust in humans; a fact that made sense when we

pressures of a National competition. The goal was set.

Rashad continued to make mental and physical progress over

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine the winter, and by spring of 2007, his right shoulder was within a

fied for Nationals at Training Level but had put in such an out-

quarter inch of his left (better than average according to our local

standing effort in one of his Training Level Test 3 tests that he

Master Saddle Maker). The difference in his right and left sides

earned an 8 on his right lead canter! He was fit, strong and sound,

was only noticeable from the front, where the right leg would

basking in the attention he kept receiving at the shows.

always be bigger than the left and sported an obvious scar.

June 2007, fit and sound In July, Rashad competed at another Arabian show in the Sport Horse classes. “Very sound” was a comment the sport horse in-hand judge wrote on his scorecard, commenting on his barefoot status and awarding him a score of 70. (He could have scored even higher, but neither Kathleen nor I were that skilled as handlers and could not show off his trot that well. Remember, this was for fun.) At the Regional competition, he placed in the April 2007, build-up of bone and scar tissue over the plates and screws results in the right radius being larger than the left.

Top 4 of six horses entered in-hand and put in a respectable performance under saddle and in the dressage ring.

Due to a lack of local Arabian shows with dressage classes,

Unfortunately, due to work pressures, personal tragedy and

Rashad would have to qualify for Sport Horse Nationals at open

work schedule conflicts, I was unable to actually take Rashad to

USDF/USEF shows, and we scoured the show schedules to find

the Sport Horse National Championships, but by the end of the

the shows that would be best suited for Rashad—ones that had

2007 show season, he had qualified for Nationals in five events—

judges who were known to be fair and had no breed prejudice.

three open and two with me as an amateur rider/handler.

We even took Rashad to a local Arabian show that offered Sport Horse In-Hand and Sport Horse Under Saddle classes. The show was in Denver at the National Western Events Center, an intimidating facility that we thought would be good practice for the future Nationals.

Rashad was an absolute star, acting like the giant arena was no big deal and I even showed him in the amateur under-saddle class. Although we did not set out to qualify in the sport horse classes, Kathleen’s two placings in the open classes secured Rashad for the Regional Sport Horse Championships in two events!

At the end of May, at his first USDF dressage show of the season, Rashad scored well enough to qualify for the Arabian Sport Horse Regional Championships. By June, he had not only quali-

Region 8 Dressage Training Level Championship

December 2013/January 2014 A new house and a pending move to the mountains took

assistant were shocked at what they saw.

Rashad out of formal training in October 2007, and he enjoyed a winter of downtime “just being a horse” out on several hundred acres of high mountain ranch land. Over those few months, thoughts of horse shows, Regionals, Nationals and Dressage had been pushed aside by the challenges of building a new house, moving, the holidays and winter in Colorado. Imagine my surprise when on Christmas day of 2007 I finally got around to opening my mail to find a letter from the USEF, which read in part:

Radiographs of Rashad’s right radius show the plate and 13 screws used to repair his broken leg, suffered at six months of age. A significant amount of bone growth covers the plate and screw heads.

With Rashad standing calmly in the examination room, the veterinarian looked at him and back again at the computer screen in amazement. When I tell people that Rashad has a plate and 13 Dear Champion: On behalf of the USEF Officers, Directors, and Staff, Con-

screws in his leg, they really can’t fathom how big all that hardware really is.

gratulations! As the ARABIAN SPORT HORSE Champion in

Rashad returned to the show ring in spring of 2009 at the

REGION 8 in the 2007 Farnam/Platform – USEF Horse of the

CAHC Spring Show. Having called Rashad a “pony” for so many

Year Awards Program, you have now ridden into the annals

years, I decided to have Rashad officially measured. It turned out

of USEF history!

that he is indeed a pony-sized horse, measuring a mere 14 hands and a 1/2 inch. With his USEF pony card, he was then eligible to

Horse of the Year? Champion? What? Rashad? I thought it

compete in the pony division for Dressage.

was some sort of joke, but after reading the letter several times it

Rashad competed heavily in 2009 and not only qualified for

seemed it was true—all of the hard work that year had paid off in

Nationals but competed at the Kentucky Horse Park at Training

an unexpected and outstanding way. Rashad was to be honored

Level and First Level. While his First Level performance wasn’t

by USEF, and I was told to “please send a photo of you and your

notable, he and Kathleen tied for 15th place out of 52 entries at

horse for publication in the March 2008 Roster of Champions.”

Training Level. The competition was tight—only 5 points separat-

In three years, under full Dressage training that also includ-

ed their score from that of the Champion! He finished the show

ed a variety of training methods from free-jumping, trail riding,

season tied for 12th place at Training level and 13th place at First

round-pen and clicker training, Rashad went from a green, fright-

Level in the USDF All-Breeds awards for Arabian Dressage.

ened, horse with an obvious physical flaw to a USEF Regional Horse of the Year Champion!

During the 2010 show season, Rashad started out by earning a Regional Championship in Arabian Sport Horse Show Hack

After spending a year off, Rashad returned to full training in

(photo below), a Regional Reserve Championship in Arabian

September of 2008. Just prior to going back to training, I had a

Dressage First Level and a Regional Top Five in Purebred Arabian

lameness exam performed on Rashad and digital radiographs

Gelding In-Hand ATH. His wins at the Regional Sport Horse Cham-

taken. I wanted to make sure he was sound and to have a base-

pionships earned him his Legion of Honor.

line record of his injury. Rashad passed the lameness exam and

The rides at dressage shows were equally divided between

when it was time to take the radiographs, the veterinarian and his

my trainer, Kathleen and me, and as a result, not only did Rashad

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine and Kathleen qualify (again) for Nationals, Rashad and I qualified at Training Level in the Amateur and AOTR divisions.

Rashad and Kathleen missed the Top Ten at First Level, but at Training Level, after many long years of training and persever-

ROB HESS PHOTO

62

ance, it happened: National Top Ten!

2010 Region 8 Purebred Sport Horse Show Hack Champion With a full contingent of fellow riders from Colorado and Wy-

Kathleen and Rashad showing off their Top Ten ribbon

oming, we packed up and headed to Nampa, Idaho for the 2010

We returned to Colorado extremely pleased and ready to take

Arabian Sport Horse Nationals. The classes were large at Training

a well-deserved winter rest. Rashad earned quite a few more

and First level, with entries of upwards of 50 horses per class. Ra-

USEF HOTY awards that year and was very close to earning his

shad and I didn’t place in the Top Ten, but I was extremely pleased

Legion of Supreme Honor.

with my last ride—landing somewhere in 20th place with my best score to date.

In 2011, Rashad continued to improve under Kathleen’s training and continued coaching over the winter from USDF “S” judge, Debbie Reil-Rodriguez. Debbie had been working with Kathleen and Rashad since the three months he was in training and was constantly amazed with the progress he had made.

With Sport Horse Nationals being held in Kentucky, we decided to focus on moving Rashad up the levels and earning the remaining points he needed for his Legion of Supreme Honor. At the Region 8 Championships, Rashad had a strong finish—earning Championships in Dressage, Show Hack and in-hand. He had not only earned enough points for his Legion of Supreme Honor, but he was just 4 points away from his Legion of Merit—an amazing feat for a horse that just 7 years earlier was one step away from being on a dinner plate. Rashad was fit, strong and definitely buff!

2012 was a year of mixed results. I had been working very hard to improve my riding, and I was hoping to move up to First Level so that I could compete at Nationals along with Kathleen and Rashad. Rashad and I traveled to New Mexico for the Region 8 championships, but since they were the first show of our season, we stuck with Training level. While we put in very consistent

Rashad and I leave the ring after our AOTR ride

efforts, we were unable to place in the top 5 or earn any points

December 2013/January 2014 in-hand to wrap up that elusive Legion of Merit.

63

the patience and skill of artisans, and in this case a stubborn amateur!

His story is long and filled with the typical highs and lows experienced by athletes the world over, but I for one have enjoyed the ride!

Rashad in May 2011 Rashad continued to make progress and was showing great talent at collection, but he still struggled with his trot lengthening, something we wonder will always be a problem due to the plate and screws in his leg. Kathleen and Rashad were ready for their 3rd level debut in July of 2012, and we were extremely excited. The excitement, unfortunately, was short lived—Rashad came up lame in the warm-up and had to be scratched. Luckily, he did not have any injury to his legs, but it turned out that some “gelding games” and a shower-scramble had taken their toll on Rashad’s back, and he had to be pulled from training and competition to rest and rehabilitate his back.

Once again, work, finances and personal events required Ra-

recovered, and he is currently enjoying life on my ranch, roughing it on high mountain pasture and waiting for his owner to finish up building an arena and other infrastructure to support a return to the Dressage ring.

The hope is that Rashad will return to training in 2014 and possibly return to compete at the 2014 SHN in Nampa, Idaho. We still have that elusive Legion of Merit waiting for us!

With Rashad, Dressage training was initially used as a tool to rehabilitate his weak right side; the fact that he had talent was just an added bonus. He is a wonderful horse—our little Wonder Pony—and his story is not just a good example of how Dressage can be used for physical rehabilitation but a reminder to all of us that we should strive to look past the obvious flaws in our horses and ourselves and look for the gems that may be hidden underneath.

Keep in mind that the most priceless gems start out as dull, lifeless rocks until their true brilliance is brought forth through

KATHLEEN BRYAN PHOTO

shad to be pulled out of training through 2013. His back is fully

64

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Breeder Q&A: Carol DiMaggio

regardless of good movement in hand unless they are proven to

Continued from page 17

be trainable and can be ridden. However, some very good halter

horse?

horses will never be seen in sport horse classes although they

I look at the individual, his pedigree, performance record and

could be very successful.

that of his ancestors along with the traits that my mare might need. I believe that the stallion’s pedigree is very important in that if there are generations of successful performance horses included, the chances for the desired resulting foal are increased.

Luck does play a role in breeding, but with a bit of homework, you have a much better chance at achieving your breeding goals.

What advice would you give to someone considering breeding Arabian sport horses?

Start with the best mare you can afford, even if it’s not already in your barn. This has always been the best advice given by breeders going back many years and by all breeds of horses.

I didn’t follow this advice from the beginning, but did manage to get it right eventually, and it made all the difference in the quality of my foals. Stick to horses that are from proven performance bloodlines. I would not start with horses bred for halter,

Tai Juan, Purebred Arabian sired by Taez+//, has recorded over 2,000 endurance miles.

The Shagya-Arabian Continued from page 33 these typically Warmblood practices

She has Judged in Europe

distinguish the Shagya-Arabian from the

and North America, acted

purebred Arabian, it’s the combination of

as a NASS BOD Member

those practices along with their strong

and the Contributing Editor

Arabian influence which makes the Shag-

for the NASS & PShR news-

ya-Arabian breed unique. The complete

letters. She is on the NASS

list of FEI disciplines includes four other

Breeding

disciplines: reining, vaulting, combined

continues to work with her

driving and endurance. Shagya-Arabians

fellow breeders, the reg-

compete in all 7 of the FEI disciplines,

istries and the ISG to pro-

making them truly one exceptional sport

mote, preserve and main-

horse breed.

tain the breed. Often found enjoying

Committee

her

and

horses on

Hallie Goetz is a Shagya-Arabian own-

the family farm in South-

er, breeder and official ISG Judge. She dis-

ern Vermont and always

covered the breed over 17 years ago when

happy to help others dis-

reviewing a Trakehner prospect’s pedigree

cover this unique Sport horse

and since then has never looked back.

breed.

Statue of Shagya, db ar, 1810, which stands in the courtyard at Babolna State Stud Farm, Hungary. Photo by Hallie Goetz.

December 2013/January 2014

70-Day Stallion Test Continued from page 39

65

both imported to America by the US Army as “Prizes of War” after WWII (along with the Lipizzaners made famous in the Walt Disney

has had the year off while we have been setting up our new fa-

movie “Miracle of the White Stallions”). Adele’s discovery of “Bra-

cility, and his first two foals, out of Trakehner mares, were also

vo” led to her invitation by the Purebred Shagya-Arabian Society In-

born. We plan to return Revel to dressage training soon and to

ternational (the “ISG”) to utilize Bravo as the foundation stallion of

show him in dressage in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain re-

the American Shagya Arabian breed. Adele subsequently imported

gion. We are considering presenting him to some of the other

three Purebred Shagya stallions and four Purebred Shagya mares

Sport Horse Registries such as the ATA, since Shagyas have a long

from Germany, Denmark and Hungary, and founded the North

and proven history as “improvers” in most European Warmblood

American Shagya Arabian Society (NASS) as a Purebred Shagya-

breeds.

Arabian Registry and a full member of ISG in 1986. She embarked upon an ambitious breeding program to perpetuate this Arabian

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shagya Arabian breeding in North America

breed along with its registry according to strict European perfor-

began 30 years ago in 1984 when Montanan Adele Furby read

mance horse standards, and in June of 2013 was named an “Honor-

about this special Arabian breed in “Arabian Horse World” mag-

ary Member” of the ISG for her work in establishing Shagya-Arabian

azine. Adele’s search led her to the fortuitous discovery of the

breeding in America. She currently stands four approved Shagya-

24-year-old Shagya-Arabian stallion Hungarian Bravo living in

Arabian stallions and is located in Camp Verde, Arizona. For more

her home state of Montana on the farm of a Hungarian-American

information about Shagya Arabians and NASS, visit the NASS web-

Countess, Margit Bessenyey. Hungarian Bravo’s sire and dam were

site at: shagya.net.

Half-Arabian Makes The Medals Continued from page 51 But, that isn’t the end of Josie’s remarkable story.

In October 2012, Suzy was notified by the FEI that the Swedish pair that had placed in Silver Medal position ahead of her and Josie had been disqualified. That meant that Suzy and Josie moved up to be named Silver Medalists!

“It was a bit strange having people congratulate me all over again a year later,” said Suzy of the promotion. “As competitors we all strive to follow the rules and keep the horses’ well-being the priority.”

Josie has settled into a more relaxing lifestyle, being driven as a pair by Beth and Dan Steinke. “We are spending our winters in Aiken, SC with Lisa Singer training them and giving Dan and I pair-driving lessons. We still drive Josie single, and I may be doing some competitions with her as a single this coming winter,” said Beth. “We also frequently take pleasure drives on the carriage roads at Acadia National Park, which she enjoys, and I am starting to do some western riding with her! She may be learning team penning with me in the future. Josie is so easy going and accepting, we will probably be trying many different things.”

Competing in pairs at a CDE

66

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Carol Darnell

1943-2013 The Arabian community is mourning the sudden death of Carol Darnell of Choctaw, Oklahoma on October 18th.

An extremely active protector of abused and neglected Arabian horses, Carol owned Arendal Arabians, which was home to multiple dogs, cats and her very special group of Arabian horses. Many of her charges were cast-offs that she took in and nursed back to health.

Carol was a founder of the AHA affiliated Guardian Arabian Horse e-Club, an internet-based group with members from across the country that shared common interests and goals.

I got to know Carol through this group and was inspired by her leadership and skill at focusing members to accomplish some incredible feats. From resolutions that successfully passed convention, awards to present at SHN, to new ways of promoting the Arabian horse to the outside world. She

Carol with the great Khemosabi

even founded the annual Open Competition Award through AHA. Carol worked tirelessly as Chair of the AHA Rescue/Rehoming Subcommittee and as Chair of the Arabian Horse Foundation Rescue/Rehoming Advisory Panel. In those capacities, she helped secure funding for euthanasia clinics, research on genetic diseases affecting Arabians, community hay banks for drought-stricken areas and rescue organizations in need.

Carol was also a long-time board member of True Innocents Equine Rescue, a 501c3 nonprofit in California. She made a huge difference in countless horses’ lives. She was very vocal in her anti-slaughter stance, particularly after AHA announced their support of horse slaughter.

Outside of the animal world, Carol was an avid orchid grower, art, literature and music lover. There is now an orchid

Carol with the one of her Arabians

named for her: Phal Carol Darnell.

Carol is greatly missed by her many longtime friends and

Photo: net_efekt

those that had no voice but hers.

December 2013/January 2014

A True Phoenix

by Melissa Lund

Phoenix first came into my life when I

or—years later—half-steps.

was ten and he was three. My trainer, Barb

Slowly, Phoenix and I de-

Anderson-Whiteis, bought him off the In-

veloped a solid working rela-

ternet for $800 as a prospective lesson

tionship. Our showing career

horse. He had this huge head on top of his

began with local Intro and

gangly little neck and was the most awk-

Training Level classes the sum-

ward looking horse my ten-year-old eyes

mer after I got Phoenix. The next year

New Mexico that following summer with

had ever seen. I don’t think anyone ever

we showed Training and First Level; then

two national championship titles under

expected that he would be doing FEI-level

in our third season we started showing

our belt.

dressage one day.

Third Level. After our Fourth Level debut

Fortunately, I ended up going to col-

Phoenix came and went—sold to an-

the following year, we went back to Sec-

lege at the University of Minnesota (just

other little girl—and I really didn’t think

ond Level so I could earn my USDF Bronze

one hour away from the barn) and have

much of him. Just a couple short months

Award.

been able to continue riding and show-

after he left, however, Phoenix got sent

ing. For the past two years, we have been

back to Caille Farm because the new own-

showing Intermediate I with some suc-

ers were having some trouble with him.

cess; our highest score at this level was

They deemed him too “dangerous” for

a 69.6%, and a couple of weeks ago I

their eleven-year-old daughter.

learned that Phoenix and I are ranked 7th

At this time, I was in the market for my

in the country at I-1 in the junior/young

first horse and my parents surprised me

rider division.

by buying Phoenix up. (Apparently, he was

Two years ago, the lady who Barb

not too “dangerous” for their eleven-year-

bought Phoenix from found me at the

old daughter.) Our first couple of years

Minnesota Horse Expo. She was his owner

were somewhat of a train wreck. While he

from the time he was just a few months

was away from Caille Farm, Phoenix had

old until he turned three. She acquired

lost his confidence and picked up a terri-

him under unusual circumstances. One

ble spooking habit.

day, her friend called her up and said

For the first year or two that I owned

Two years later, I won my USDF Sil-

that there was a skinny-looking Fadl baby

him, not a lesson went by without us ca-

ver Award for successfully competing at

hanging out in a neglected dirt paddock

reening toward the safety of our arena’s

Fourth Level and the first FEI level, Prix

that she should take a look at.

deck at a full gallop. I also couldn’t turn

St. Georges. At this point, I was 17 years

The lady drove to the abandoned pad-

him to the left for about a year, so there’s

old and decided that I would spend the

dock with an empty pick up, and drove

that. We kept at it though, and Barb really

next year competing on the Arab circuit at

back home with Phoenix in the flat bed.

pushed me to be a better rider so I could

Third and Fourth Level so I could qualify

Apparently, his dam and his owners had

not only manage Phoenix’s spooks, but

for Arabian Youth Nationals in New Mexi-

rejected him when he was just a couple

anticipate them and channel his energy

co as a final hoorah before heading off to

months old, and he didn’t really stand a

into something productive, like a leg-yield

college. Phoenix and I came home from

Continued on page 71

67

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

USDF Region One Great American Insurance Group CHAMPIONSHIPS WNC Photo

by Laura Killian

A

total of ten Arabian bred horses competed at the Region 1 Great American Insurance Group Championships, held October 17-20 at Virginia Hiorse Center. An Arabian headed down centerline a total of thirty-five tests, rep-

resenting our breed in training through fourth level dressage.

On Thursday Mary Callan rode her Arabian x Oldenburg, OTTOMATIC, in 4th level test 2 scoring a commendable 66.213% and 4th level test 3 scoring 61.375% which earned her third place in both classes. Victoria Ridgway scored a 61.207% on her AngloArabian MAGIC ILLUSION, registered as RF JUAREZ DE GOMEZ

MS Spanish Legacy 7th place in this championship class.

Others were: BO’S BUTTERCUP SLIDE (Beau Ibn Oran x Justa Lady Jet {QH}) owned/ridden by Anne M Ward – 3rd 3 – 58.462 DESTINY’S PERSUIT owned by Caroline Hardie and ridden by Mandy Robertson – Training 3 – 63.600% MAGIC ILLUSION owned/ridden by Victoria Ridgway – Training 3 – 62.800% – 5th place WWA COLINO+ owned by Karen Potts and ridden by Kristen Stein – First 3 – 60.484% MS SPANISH LEGACY (Saphiro {Lusitano} x Legacy of Ariston)

Pics of You Photo

owned/ridden by Laura Killian – Third 3 – 61.667% – 3rd place BR DANNYS SECRET owned by Linda Butz and ridden by Ange

Ottomatic (W A Gomez x Workin Up a Storm {Gr}) in First level test 1 and received 8th place overall in the class. Kristen Stein rode Karen Pott’s purebred Arabian WWA COLINO+ (Borsalino K x Colombia x Khemosabi) in First 3. They finished strong with a 68.387% and 4th place honors.

Pics of You Photo

68

Friday, there were eight completed dressage tests by Arabians, including Molly Ryan’s first level musical freestyle on WHAT’S UP DOC, an 18 year old Arabian/Quarter Horse owned by Katherine Abrams. The pair averaged a 64.417 for their ride and finished in

Nicole Bey Berry

69

Pics of You Photo

Pics of You Photo

December 2013/January 2014

BR Dannys Secret Bean - Third 3 – 62.885% & 66.154% – 2nd place

Magic Illusion

On Saturday, four Arabians perform their respective championship rides. Classes are scored by a judge at “C” and “E”, then

Burd Whicker – First 3 – 65.645% Magic Illusion owned/ridden

averaged together to pin the class. All horses earned respectable

by Victoria Ridgway – Training 3 – 64.200 – 5th place BR Dannys

scores against a large and competitive group of horses. Mandy

Secret owned by Linda Butz and ridden by Ange Bean – Third 2 –

Roberston earned a 63.300% on Destiny’s Persuit, owned by Car-

61.341% – 6th place

oline Hardie, in training level. Kristen Stein received a 65.774%

On Sunday, five Arabians bred horses competed in their re-

on WWA Colino+, owned by Karen Potts, in second level. MS Span-

spective finals for the Region 1 GAIG Dressage Championship. Ot-

ish Legacy, owned and shown by Laura Killian, scored a 60.833%

tomatic was shown by Mary Callan in the 4th level adult amateur

in the third level championship which earned the pair sixth place

class and earned 5th place with a 65.188%. Magic Illusion and

in the Jr/YR division. Ange Bean averaged 64.643% aboard BR

rider Victoria Ridgway received a score of 66.7% in training level

Dannys Secret, owned by Linda Butz, in second level.

Additionally, the following horse and rider combinations competed in open show classes in order to earn scores towards quali-

Pics of You Photo

fication for next year’s CBLM and GAIG dressage Championships:

Destinys Persuit which placed them 6th in their championship class. Jacob Harper also rode Bomber in the training level championship, scoring closely behind them with a 65.600%, putting the pair in 7th place.

Additionally, two Arabians competed in the first level finals. Nicole

WWA Colino (photo courtesy of Krtisten Stein) Bo’s Buttercup Slide owned/ridden by Anne M Ward – 3rd 2 –

Berry Bey earned a 66.935% with rider Ashley Burd Whicker and WWA Colino, the only purebred Arabian to compete this weekend, receieved a 65.000% with rider Kristen Stein.

62.927 – 4th place Ottomatic owned/ridden by Mary Callan – 4th

In the open dressage classes, Mary Callan and Ottomatic

2 – 63.649% – 5th place – 4th 3 – 66.250% – 1st place Bomber

earned a 66.757%, which will qualify them for next year’s CBLM

owned/ridden by Jacob Harper – Training 3 – 63.200% – 8th place

Championships, and first place. I caught up with the pair back

Nicole Berry Bey owned by Elliot Moore and ridden by Ashley

GAIG continued on page 71

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

70

Col. Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships

by Laura Killian

T

he Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships were founded in 1983 to stimulate regional dressage competition and have served as a model for other regional championships throughout the United States.

These Championships are open to both US Citizens and foreign riders; the rider just has to be a member of a participating USDF GMO at the time of qualification.

The Championships were founded by Dr. Samuel Barish, a past President of the United States Dressage Federation and are sponsored by Group Member Organizations within USDF Region 1 and the numerous qualifying shows.” –www.cblm. org The CBLM Championships were held October 31st through November 3rd in Williamston, North Carolina with several Arabian-bred horses in attendance.

For the finals, competitors ride the second test of each level training-4th level, FEI level tests, musical freestyles and even pas de duex! The classes are split into four divisions – junior/young riders, two adult amateur sections divided

MS Spanish Legacy & FA Patriot LYNN KAUFMAN PHOTO

by the rider’s experience, and professionals.

Five half-Arabians competed at this show, representing the breed quite well in training through fourth level. There were sixteen rides completed by these entries, seven of which were championship rides. The other classes will count towards qualifications for next year’s GAIG or BLM Championships.

Two young riders placed in a very competitive 3rd level final. Laura Killian and MS Spanish Legacy, a six-year-old Arabian/Andalusian cross, earned Reserve Champion with a 66.585%. Katie Lang and her Arabian/Fresian, FA Patriot, came in 5th place with a commendable 63.569%. Katie is quite proud of her accomplishments this weekend with “Blue.” Only a year ago, she was just a first level rider wondering “How in the world am I ever going to be able to ride him correctly and be on the bit?” After a year of hard work with a great support team, the pair managed to place in all three of the finals including being named the Reserve Champions in the Fourth Level JR/YR class.

Dark Waterspoon, an Arabo-Fresian stallion, earned one of the highest scores this weekend with an impressive 75.135% in first level test 2. He also

De La Noir

finished 7th in the very competitive First Level Senior B Division BLM Finals. He was ridden by Rebecca Vick and is owned by Camilla Vance.

Arabian/Oldenburg De La Noir and owner Jennifer Jeffreys-Chen showed in a total of six training level classes with all scores ranging between 66.429 – 69.286%. The pair also made their debut at first level and earned 4th place in the class with a 61.207%.

The rest of the results for half-Arabian competitors are: MS Spanish Legacy owned/ridden by Laura Killian CBLM Finals USDF MFS 2nd Level – 67.417% – Reserve Champion FA Patriot owned/ridden by Katie Lang CBLM Finals USDF MFS 3rd Level – Friday – 66.333% – 4th Dark Waterspoon owned by Camilla Vance and ridden by Rebecca Vick CBLM Finals First Level Senior B First 2 – Sunday – 68.514% – 7th Cadet owned/ridden by Katie Bruns CBLM Finals Training Level Jr/YR Training 2 – Saturday – 59.732% Training 3 – Saturday – 66.400% – 2nd

Dark Waterspoon

December 2013/January 2014

71

USDF Region 1 GAIG Champs Continued from page 69 in the stables as they tacked up for the

now completely healthy and back to win-

ride on Sunday earned 65% or higher for

awards presentation. Ottomatic is a sweet

ning all of the ribbons with scores consis-

their final score. Congratulations to all of

and gentle horse whose face clearly shows

tently in the mid-60’s at fourth level this

the owners, riders and horses, who did a

dishy Arabian characteristic and a soft Ara-

season.

phenomenal job presenting their horse

bian eye. She purchased her Arabian X

Twenty ribbons were earned in total

against a competitive field at the Region

Oldenburg partner from an eventing barn

by the Arabian breed representatives this

1 GAIG Dressage Championships. We hope

as a four year old. With the help of trainer

weekend, including three blue ribbons.

you continue to promote our breed next

Erin Freedman, they have progressed in

Ange Bean and BR Dannys Secret earned

season in open breed dressage competi-

the show ring all the way from training

the highest score of the weekend with a

tions and that your successes have in-

to fourth level. However, it has not been

70.833% for their second level ride on

spired others to participate on their tal-

without its difficulties. Ottomatic has over-

Sunday. It should be noted that all Ara-

ented Arabians and Arabian-crosses.

come both Lyme Disease and EPM but is

bian bred horses that completed their

A True Phoenix Continued from page 67 chance at getting to the one round bale

the barn workers, riders, and parents alike.

no problem with .45’s going off right next

left in the paddock against the rest of the

When I taught beginner horse camp

to him. I’ve decided that in addition to his

herd. I’m not sure of the validity of this

at Caille Farm this summer, he loved hav-

current hobbies (galloping on trail rides

story, but that’s what the lady told me.

ing the kids dote on him as their braiding/

and passaging around the barn), Phoenix

Phoenix and I today could not be bet-

clipping/bathing/grooming model. Four

is going to learn how to be a mounted

ter. He has a great mind and an incredible

of my cousins, ages 6-10, have learned

shooting horse.

work ethic—true to his Babson Egyptian

how to stop, steer, and post the trot on my

breeding. We rarely have a bad day riding

once “dangerous” Arab.

Not a bad outcome for an awkward four-year old with a spooking problem

together. He is now one of the most relia-

My trainer recently picked up mount-

ble horses in our barn, a favorite amongst

ed shooting as a hobby, and Phoenix has

special!

“It must be noted, however, that this

possible. “Once, during a dressage demo,

at Grand Prix.”

can also be a disadvantage. It was al-

the trainer asked me to perform a canter

ways tough to tell when Athena needed

pirouette, but change my position to be

down time because she wouldn’t quit. It

off balance partway through. We were

was hard to tell if something was bother-

supposed to show how the horse would

ing her because she would simply power

not be able to perform the movement

through it,” Colleen added.

that way. But as I shifted my weight and

who was never supposed to be anything

Athena - Goddess of Dressage Continued from page 47

Dressage is all about trust and con-

tried to unbalance her, she just shifted un-

nection between horse and rider, and Rita

der me and kept going. Without Athena, I

acknowledges that Athena has made it all

may have never gotten close to showing

72

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

2013 USDF Year End Awards Outside of the breed-specific USDF Awards, there are quite a few Arabian-bred horses that earned placings in the overall awards that include horses of all breeds together.

ADULT AMATEUR - Training Level

den by Carol Meschter; 61.034

Second Level 3 - PALADIN SF (Aul Magic x Padua Go {Trak}) owned & ridden by Laine Sklar; 69.211

Rococo Romance 68 – ROCOCO ROMANCE (Journey {Friesian} x OFW Erys), owned

by Kathy Towery and ridden by Julie Colette Everette; 67.642 112 - MM FLAMBOYANT (MM Georgi x Gabrielle {Gr}), owned & ridden by Stacey Burdick-Taul; 65.600 146 - HALF MOONS ATISA (Black Char Azrael x PK Black Satin) owned & ridden by Joleen Flasher; 64.286 165 - RULETTE (Scrabble x Ramona {DWB]) owned & ridden by Susan Bender; 63.482 202 - PHANTOMM OF THE OPERA (Oshquah {HA} x Scotts Marzella) owned & ridden by Susan Hebert; 62.200 224 - SRC GABRIELLA (Loki {Friesian} x SRC Lady In Red) owned &

Paladin SF 112 - CYLENT PREMIER (MM Cylent Flyer x Witch’s Luck {TB}) owned & ridden by Vicki Krebsbach ; 60.714

Third Level 42 - FIRST DANCE OF COLOR (Color of Fame {ASB} x NR-Minuette) owned & ridden by Carol Mavros; 64.103

Fourth Level 34 – OTTOMATIC (Arabian/Oldenburg X) owned & ridden by Mary Callan; 63.615 69 - CA DAVIGN (CA Dillon x Daniella {Hano}) owned & ridden by Judy Coats; 60.917

Grand Prix 10 - CP MERCURY BEY (AA Apollo Bey x La Contessa De Rossa {ASB}) owned & ridden by Heather Sanders; 61.596

JUNIOR RIDER/YOUNG RIDER Training Level

Phantomm Of The Opera ridden by Charma Fargo; 61.265

First Level 111 – RULETTE; 65.000 228 – ALA COWBOY (Cable Cowboy x ALA Princess) owned & rid-

10 - AJ BLAC EAGLE (Blacjac El Sabio x Fayrahs Rose) owned & ridden by Mackenzie Rivers; 69.600 16 - ALADA STRIKE (Alada Baskin x Czstryca) owned by Paige Moody & ridden by Kalie Beckers; 68.300 70 - HH ANTONIA (HH Allegro x Balquena V) owned by Jonathan Howell & ridden by Amanda Howell; 66.450 89 - STARFIRES ORION (El Pele x Driver’s Starfire {AHC}) owned & ridden by Ella Fruchterman; 60.833

December 2013/January 2014 MG PHOTOGRAPHY

First Level 70 - HH ANTONIA; 63.145 79 - OFW AMBUSH (Magnum Psyche x Salona Rose) owned & ridden by Jennifer Becar; 62.258

Second Level 39 - INCH PINCHER (Virgule Al Maury x Saahira) owned by Barbara Thomas & ridden by Raisa Chunko; 62.421

Third Level 50 - FA PATRIOT (Flurry Of Ca-Lynn {Friesian} x La Sada Mega) owned & ridden by Katie Lang; 62.821

Intermediare-1 7 - KS FADLS PHOENIX (Fadl Atrtrak-Shun x LLA Latisha) owned & ridden by Melissa Lund; 63.421 9 - QUESTT (Quartet {SWB} x Thrill) owned & ridden by Lindsey Whitcher; 62.434

VINTAGE CUP - Training Level 28 - RULETTE; 63.482 38 - SRC GABRIELLA; 61.265

First Level

KELLY COULTAS PHOTOGRAPHY

32 - RULETTE; 65.000 42 - NF MIDNITE SULTANA (RJO After Midnite x Takara Sultanna {NSH}) owned & ridden by Ann-Christine Erikson; 63.548 44 - HR MAVERICK (Kharbon Khopi x HR Brittany Bey) owned by Mary Poelke & ridden by Ellen Corob; 63.387

HR Maverick

First Level 46 - NICOLE BERRY BEY (Grade x Very Berry Bey) owned by Elliott Moore & ridden by Ashley Burd; 70.726 406 – NF MIDNITE SULTANA; 63.548 418 – HR MAVERICK; 63.387

Second Level 28 – PALADIN; SF 69.211 86 - FIRST DANCE OF COLOR; 66.190 217 – INCH PINCHER; 62.421 277 - CYLENT PREMIER; 60.714

Third Level 205 – FA PATRIOT; 62.821

Fourth Level 108 – OTTOMATIC; 63.615 160 – CA DAVIGN; 60.917

Intermediare-1 162 – KS FADLS PHOENIX; 63.421 196 – QUESTT; 62.434

Grand Prix 103 - CP MERCURY BEY; 61.596

MUSICAL FREESTYLE First Level 30 - JM MR ROCKY BEY (Moonstone Bey x Madame Muzzy {NSH}) owned & ridden by Justine Jacoby; 68.567 55 - SF HEARTS & FLOWERS (Ganesh x Onyx Ladys Mystique {Trak})owned & ridden by Susannah Jones; 65.833

Third Level NF Midnite Sultana 51 - ALA COWBOY; 61.034

Second Level

46 – FA PATRIOT; 67.333

Intermediare-1 40 – QUESTT; 62.434

9 - FIRST DANCE OF COLOR; 66.190 30 - CYLENT PREMIER; 60.714

Third Level 23 - CA DAVIGN; 60.917

DRESSAGE HORSE OF THE YEAR Training Level 123 - AJ BLAC EAGLE; 69.600 190 - ALADA SRTIKE; 68.300 217 - INCH PINCHER; 62.421 233 – ROCOCO ROMANCE; 67.642 347 - MM FLAMBOYANT; 65.600

Questt

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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Apocalypto CLL PUREBRED ARABIAN OPEN Training Level 1. Apocalypto CLL/Suzette Sontag 70.600 2. Dance Fevor/Jessica Meredith 70.500 3. AJ Blac Eagle/Mackenzie Rivers 69.550 4. FHF Sahara Breeze/ Lauren Annett 68.686 5. Ebriz Rakkas/Sharon Sexton, Kirsten Poole 68.600 First Level 1. Sofine Strait Man/Kari Schmitt 71.129 2. Exkwizitt/Suzette Sontag 68.226 3. LP Snickers/Michelle Freeman 67.984 4. Bremervale Andronicus/Brooke Fuchs 66.552 5. Certified Male/Stephanie Eckelkamp 66.265 Second Level 1. Sofine Strait Man/Kari Schmitt 67.262

LP Snickers

ZLA Pepe

2. GM Major Soho/Melanie Mitchell 65.262 3. Koli Bey Berry/Terry Benedetti 64.762 4. KT Tommy Guns/Linda Ziegler 64.518 5. El Da Vinci/Kailee Surplus 63.870 Third Level

USDF All-Breeds 1. Emilio BFA/Stacey Hastings 65.584 2. KT Tommy Guns/Linda Ziegler 62.040 3. Rufus BL/ Madeleine Kirsch 60.329 Fourth Level 1. Emilio BFA/Stacey Hastings 63.143 2. Safarr/Suzette Sontag 62.625 3. Focus Shalimor/Marilyn Weber 60.250 Prix St. Georges 1. Bonne Vivant/Kassandra Barteau 64.342 Iva Knapp Photo

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Tamara Torti

Aurora MR

Emilio BFA

Ebriz

The Arabian Sport Horse

Terri Miller Photo

December 2013/January 2014

ets Regalo

Bonne Vivant

2. Khashflow/Greta Wrigley 63.421 3. Psymbad VF/Kara Somerville 62.763 4. ROL Super Sunday/Kim Lacy 62.105 5. Just In Kayce/Susanne Lanini 61.316 Intermediare-1

Just In Kayce 4. Pistachio PA/Mary Smith 66.458 5. TA Im Too Hsexy/Tammy Bowers 66.000 First Level 1. Certified Male/ Stephanie Eckelkamp 66.265 2. Dance Fevor/ Jessica Meredith 66.132 3. Ebriz Rakkas/Sharon Sexton 63.629 4. Chief Shahlon/ Kayla Reimer 61.613 5. GA Ehstaire/ Janet Bellows 61.290 Second Level 1. Koli Bey Berry/ Terry Benedetti 64.762 2. KT Tommy Guns/ Linda Ziegler 64.518 3. Rohara Beaujolais/ Julie Wall Hicks 62.947 4. Gybson Girl/Karen Rains 62.857 5. Santina HA/Carli Bunkelman 62.203

Award Winners

Rakkas

Pics of You

BobTarr.com

1. Bonne Vivant/Kassandra Barteau 62.895 2. Comandr-N-Chief/Stacey Burdick-Taul 61.842 3. Aurora MR/Danielle Casalett 61.053 ADULT AMATEUR Training Level 1. Dance Fevor/Jessica Meredith 70.500 2. Ebriz Rakkas/Sharon Sexton 69.000 3. ZLA Pepets Regalo/Katie Keim 66.607

HH Antonia

GA Ehstaire

75

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Don Stine

Silver Stallion Photography

76

Exkwizitt

Khemos

Galamaya

USDF All-Breeds 4. HH Antonia/Amanda Howell 63.784 5. OFW Ambush/Jennifer Becar 62.345 Second Level 1. LP Snickers/Michelle Freeman 63.816 VINTAGE CUP Training Level 1. Apocalypto CLL/Suzette Sontag 70.600 2. RA Padre/Pamela Thompson 66.682 3. SW Gifted /Lesa Whetzel 63.125 4. Forte WF/Marilyn Weber 61.607 First Level 1. Exkwizitt/Suzette Sontag 68.226 2. HR Maverick/Ellen Corob 63.387 3. Ala Cowboy/Carol Meschter 61.034 Fourth Level 1. Safarr/Suzette Sontag 62.625

Don Stine

Photo BobTarr.com

Third Level 1. KT Tommy Guns/Linda Ziegler 62.040 2. Rufus BL/Madeleine Kirsch 60.329 Prix St. Georges 1. Just In Kayce/Susanne Lanini 61.316 Intermediare-1 1. Comandr-N-Chief/Stacey Burdick-Taul 61.842 JUNIOR/YOUNG RIDER Training Level 1. AJ Blac Eagle/Mackenzie Rivers 69.550 2. Alada Strike/Kalie Beckers 68.300 3. HS Khozmik Enkhanted/Holly Schnader 67.642 4. CW Factor/Mackenzie Rivers 67.167 5. HH Antonia/Amanda Howell 66.450 First Level 1. LP Snickers/Michelle Freeman 67.984 2. Alada Strike/Kalie Beckers 65.726 3. CW Factor/Mackenzie Rivers 64.355

Safarr

Double XL++++//

Darkcyde Of Th

Pics of You

The Arabian Sport Horse

December 2013/January 2014

s Khopi

Nicole Berry Bey

Award Winners

he Moon++++//

Second Level 1 . Khemos Khopi/Heather Rudd 68.066 2. BR Dannys Secret/Angelia Bean 67.322 3. Tagg Yorr It/Andrew Amsden 66.357 4. First Dance/Carol Mavros 66.190 5. Iolanthe MCC/Krista Tycho Noone 64.465 Third Level 1. Double XL/Caitlin Zech 68.398 2. Iolanthe MCC/Krista Tycho Noone 65.962 3. BR Dannys Secret/Angelia Bean 64.744 4. First Dance/Carol Mavros 64.103 5. TT Ebony Lace/Jessica Fussner 63.947 Fourth Level 1. Ive Been Ripped/Jessica Fussner 65.956 2. Kameram Rhapsody/Stacey Hastings 64.750 3. Double XL/Caitlin Zech 63.500 4. Savannahh/Lauren Annett 63.243 Prix St. Georges

The Arabian Sport Horse

2. Focus Shalimor/Marilyn Weber 60.250 HALF/ANGLO ARABIANS OPEN Training Level 1. Galamaya/Ryan Yap 70.600 2. Rite from the Start/Michele Judd 69.821 3. EF Rafikki/Sarah Duclos 69.800 4. Darkcyde of the Moon/Lauren Annett, Holly Schnader 67.700 5. CRF Barenaked Lady/Hannah Hiland 67.600 First Level 1. Nicole Berry Bey/Ashley Burd Whicker 70.161 2. Khemos Khopi/Heather Rudd 70.081 3. Arosenthyme MA/Nicol Hinde 69.333 4. Dante by Donnerschlag/Marla Gullickson, Olivia Chapeski 68.654 5. Pavarotti RA/Tedi Paasch 68.006

Pulsar

Ive Been Ripped

Rococo Romance

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Ellis Photography

The Arabian Sport Horse

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Trifecta

PR Captain Hook

1. Kameram Rhapsody/Stacey Hastings 64.211 2. Trifecta/Courtney Horst-Cutright 63.947 3. Ive Been Ripped/Jessica Fussner 63.224 4. Firgrove Paladin/Sheila McElwee 62.698 5. PR Captain Hook/Mimi Stanley 62.237 Intermediare-1 1. Mandy’s Manhattin/Tedi Paasch 63.816 2. Firgrove Paladin/Sheila McElwee 63.289 3. Pulsar/Trudy Tatum 62.763 4. Nezma Rose/Nan Allen 62.237 5. St. Christopher/Kathy Miller 61.447 ADULT AMATEUR Training Level 1. Rite from the Start/Michele Judd 69.821 2. Rococo Romance/Julie Everett 67.083 3. MM Flamboyant/Stacey Burdick-Taul 66.200 4. SRC Gabriella/Charma Fargo 63.600 5. Rulette/Susan Bender 63.450 First Level

First

1. Khemos Khopi/Heather Rudd 70.081 2. Kurt Ali Khan/Cynthia DeRousie 65.323 3. First Class Image/Kathleen Cannon 64.579 4. Rulette/Susan Bender 63.793 5. NF Midnite Sultana/Ann-Christine Erikson 63.226 Second Level 1. Khemos Khopi/Heather Rudd 68.066 2. First Dance/Carol Mavros 66.190 3. Cylent Premier/Vicki Krebsbach 61.191 Third Level 1. Double XL/Caitlin Zech 68.398 2. First Dance/Carol Mavros 64.103 3. Faantastica/Susan Coleman 62.972 4. Coco Rhoyale/Angela Genin 62.090 Fourth Level 1. Double XL/Caitlin Zech 63.500 Prix St. Georges 1. Trifecta /Courtney Horst-Cutright 63.947

Lesley Ward Photo

78

MM Flamboyant

Starfires Orion

Nezma

December 2013/January 2014

t Dance

a Rose

CRF Barenaked Lady SRC Gabriella 3. Rulette/Susan Bender 63.450 4. Sawdas Lady Pasha/Michael Dean 61.200 First Level 1. Shenanigans Too/Marilyn Weber 64.355 2. Rulette/Susan Bender 63.793 3. NF Midnite Sultana/Ann-Christine Erikson 63.226 Second Level 1. First Dance/Carol Mavros 66.190 2. Fire Proof Number One/Pamela Thompson 63.429 3. Cylent Premier/Vicki Krebsbach 61.191 4. Shenanigans Too /Marilyn Weber 60.119 Third Level 1. First Dance/Carol Mavros 64.103

The Arabian Sport Horse

2. Nezma Rose/Nan Allen 60.789 Intermediare-1 1. Pulsar/Trudy Tatum 62.763 2. Nezma Rose/Nan Allen 62.237 J`UNIOR/YOUNG RIDER Training Level 1. CRF Barenaked Lady/Hannah Hiland 67.600 2. Suracommander/Savannah May 66.515 3. Starfires Orion/Ella Fruchterman 60.833 First Level 1. Khemos Centauri/Keeley Clark 65.847 2. Darkcyde of the Moon/Holly Schnader 64.250 3. CRF Barenaked Lady/Hannah Hiland 61.897 Third Level 1. FA Patriot/Katie Lang 62.821 VINTAGE CUP Training Level 1. Maeday Surprise/Marilyn Weber 65.714 2. SRC Gabriella/Charma Fargo 63.600

Kurt Ali Khan

FA Patriot

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December 2013/January 2014

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Subject Headers created as needed. Not for Stallions or Horses for Sale.

FARMS ROZE ARABIANS • Angela White • Elizabethtown, PA • Breeders of Straight Egyptian Arabian Sport Horses Horses for Sale • Clinics • www.RozeArabians.com • RozeArabians@gmail.com • 717-585-0855 RIMROCK EQUESTRIAN CENTER, Ashley Wren, Billings, MT• Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation www.RimrockEquestrianCenter.com • rimrockequestrian@yahoo.com MYSTIC RANCH ARABIANS, Karen Ernst, Herald, CA • Breeders of Arabian Sport Horses www.MysticRanchArabians.com • mysticrch@softcom.net BLUE MOON FARM & TRAINING CENTER • Sophie H. Pirie Clifton • Training, Clinics, Instruction thru the FEI levels • Tryon, NC • sophie@montana.net

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Readers’ Choice Awards

The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine

Vote for your favorite: • Dressage Training through Fourth Level Horse • Dressage FEI Level Horse • Working Hunter Horse • Jumper Horse • Eventing Beginner Novice/Novice/Training Level Horse • Eventing Preliminary/Intermediate/Advanced Level Horse • Driving Horse • Conformation Horse • Sport Horse Breeder

• SPORT HORSE OF THE YEAR

Only registered subscribers may vote subscribe at: thearabiansporthorse.com

Ballots go out in January

December 2013/January 2014

In Memory of

EA Cygnus+// 1990-2013

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