THE
a r a b i a n
Maurine L. Webb
JUNE/JULY 2013
Poeme D’Amour and Misti Cassar
2
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
June/July 2013
3
JUNE/JULY 2013
16 HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
by Rebekah Savage
22 HILDA GURNEY
Q&A with Dressage Olympian
28 WINGS & SPRINGS
A modern day Pegasus
34 WARREN PARK STUD
by Dick Warren
46 BRUSALLY RANCH
The Sport Horse Legacy
54 BACK TO WORK
by Cindy Tobeck
60 KEEPING THE FAITH
by Katie Keim
72 ONE IN A MILLION
A tribute to Cal Dorado
82 DRESSAGE AND THE HUNTER & JUMPER
9
The Base for Equestrian Disciplines by Sue Kolstad
Bits & Pieces
64
A Tale of Two Sisters
12
Profiles in Courage
67
From Roses to Rehab
24
Inspection Prep
76
The Comeback Queen
38
Trainer Close Up
80
Biomechanics
40
Life with Horses
86
Back to Basics
58
In-Hand Training
92
Classifieds
62
Reading Reflections
93
Service Listings
4
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Century Club: Amie Phoenix+ A series featuring Arabian members of The Dressage Foundation’s exclusive horse & rider teams whose combined ages meet or exceed 100 years by Trisha Swift
Norm Brown and family after his Century Club ride with Amie Phoenix.
M
y grandmother, Marie Welch,
my brother and I co-owned. We were go-
got her first Arabian in 1949,
ing to start our own breeding farm and
so Arabians are in my blood.
call it “Amie Arabians” (Amie = “friend”
In 1974, when I was just five years old,
in French). Phoenix was sired by Moniet’s
my family moved back to Colorado from
Echo, an Ibn Moniet El Nefous son that
Pennsylvania, to live on her farm and
my grandmother had leased for one year.
help her out. My dad was an extension
His dam was NBD Prudence, a mare my
agent and my mom stayed at home with
parents had bred who was out of my first
will do his third
my brother and me when we were young-
dressage horse, NBD Peace by The Phoe-
er, then later returned to teaching. My
nician+++. Prudence’s sire was Mt. Vu
Century Club ride
parents also bred Arabians; they still do,
Zaabafar, a *Mustafar son that my grand-
although they aren’t as active about it as
mother bred.
If all goes according to plan, he
in June...the day before his 30th birthday.
they used to be. I’ve been riding Arabians
Since we were teenagers, Phoe-
ever since I was five, and I grew up show-
nix was our pet. We’d catch him out of
ing them with my grandmother.
the field—and take him away from his
Amie Phoenix+ (AKA “Phoenix” and
mom—to play with him. She didn’t care
“Mr. Bean”) was born in 1983 to a mare
and neither did he! We taught him tricks
June/July 2013 and taught him to ground drive when he
Donna Brown, at the Estes Park Arabian
was a baby.
Show. That will be the day before his 30th
I started training him to ride when
birthday, so I plan on having a birthday
he was 4, but I didn’t get serious about
bash for him at the show. That way eve-
his training until he was about 12. I had
ryone can celebrate with him! Although
spent two years after college in the north-
he’s had some health issues in the past
east U.S. being a working student at dres-
(he had pneumonia when he was two, and
sage stables, so I was ready to get serious.
has had several bouts of laminitis during
Phoenix and I had many show successes,
his 20s—this has been under control ever
including two regional Championships in
since we figured out he has Cushing’s dis-
dressage. I also competed him in the first
ease, and he’s on medication for that), he
two Sport Horse Nationals. All of his win-
is doing well right now, so I expect he’ll be
nings in dressage contributed to his Le-
celebrating his birthday in style. Phoenix is a lot of fun, but he’s also a
gion of Honor. I taught him to jump when he was 19,
trustworthy guy - I can put just about any-
and though it took him a couple of years
one on him. He has gone to both coasts
to warm up to it, he finally started enjoy-
to compete at Nationals, and just like his
ing himself.
He even won a couple of
grandma (Peace), he gave me his all when
schooling two-phases. As he got older, it
I showed him. He can be stubborn, but
was clear that he still wanted to be ridden,
he might just get that from me!
even though he could no longer advance
taught countless people how to ride and
through the levels. He truly gets depressed
will hopefully continue to for many more
when he’s not worked. I started teaching
years. Phoenix is just amazing!
lessons, so I used him as a lesson horse, and he was much happier. I still bareback
Amie at 2003 Sport Horse Nationals
ride him around some if no one rides him
had to learn to post the trot at 79 years
that week; otherwise, he’s not happy.
old! It just shows that you can do anything
Because we played with him so much
you put your mind to.
when he was a foal and when he was
The second rider was my dad’s friend,
growing up, I think he thinks he’s a person.
Jim Snook. Jim has trained many horses,
He loves people, and loves being messed
but he had mostly ridden western and
with. He has a sense of humor; if you laugh
done ranch work. The world of dressage
at something he does, he will do it again.
was completely new for him. However, he
He has a playful streak in him. I have one
wanted to give it a go because my dad kept
boy who rides him now, and Phoenix likes
talking about how great it was (as well as
to throw in a little playful jump sometimes
showing off his ribbon, plaque, and photos
when he goes to trot. The boy thinks it’s
of the ride). Again, Jim rode at the Estes
hilarious, and so does Phoenix.
Park Arabian Show, and once he figured
Phoenix’s first Century Club rider was
out the test, he did a great job.
my dad, Norm Brown. Although my dad
After Jim’s ride that day, I had a little
has always been involved with horses and
fun with my then 29-year-old gelding. I
showed them, most of his involvement
entered him in pole bending and barrel
was on the ground. He rarely rode. When
racing… with my dressage saddle that Jim
I signed on to help revitalize the Estes
used for his test. Neither one of us had
Park Arabian Show, I got a bee in my bon-
ever done either event! We got last place
net that my dad should do a Century Club
in both, but it was hilarious fun, especially
ride. He was reluctant at first, especially
when Phoenix jumped the chalk line at the
after the horse he was supposed to ride
start of the pole bending race. He does
passed away, but I offered Phoenix for the
know how to jump!
ride (Phoenix’s trot is a little bouncy; that’s
If all goes according to plan, he will do
why he wasn’t the first choice). My dad
his third Century Club ride with my mom,
He has
5
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
G ame On! A
cute little bay Arabian named Game On and his junior
later be looking at buying an Arabian pony jumper. When she got
owner/rider, Kaitlin Miller-Roberts, so impressed the
on him for the first time she recalls that, ” It was an instant con-
judges at both the 2010 and 2011 USEF National Pony
nection and I fell in love. When I jumped him, I knew he had the
Jumper Championships that they unanimously voted them as
heart to be a jumper, because every ride he gave 110%. “
winner of the “Short Stop Pony Jumper Style Award.” This award
Kaitlin had shown hunters up to 2’9”, but had never done
is reserved for the one rider they feel exemplifies the best classi-
jumpers more than a few times, and Tiger was the perfect confi-
cal jumper horsemanship. No one rider has ever won it twice.
dence builder. In 2009 they did the local circuit puddle jumpers
Add to that the Team Gold Medal in 2011 and Team Silver Medal in 2010 for Kaitlin and her Zone 7 teammates, and you can clearly see that this pair’s talent is world class.
2’6”-2’9”, won Reserve at their second show and she subsequently bought half-interest in him. Then in 2010 they started competing in the “A” show pony
This winning partnership started off in 2009 when Kaitlin’s
jumpers 3’3”-3’7”, with their sights set on Pony Finals in August.
trainer, Tracey Badley, got him as a trade from his previous owner
Kaitlin and Tiger were winning in both pony and low children’s
who
had
out-
jumpers,
easily
grown him. “I’ve
qualifying for the
always been par-
USEF
National
tial to Arabians,
Pony
Jumper
as I grew up with
Championships at
a
pony
Pony Finals. The
hunter
that
half-
Zone 7 team, of
Arab, and Tiger
was
which she was a
reminded me of
member, finished
that pony,” says
in
Tracey. They de-
overall,
cided on a career
a Silver Medal. In
in
addition,
jumpers
for
2nd
place earning Kaitlin
him as he had a
won the coveted
tendency to cross
Style Award.
canter,
which
This
bold
would not work
pair finished the
for hunters.
2010 season with
Tracey she
says
a USEF Reserve
wouldn’t
Champion in Zone
trade her Arabian
7 and a National
jumpers for the world. “ I love Arabians, they have so much try
5th place in Pony Jumpers, a 5th in Childrens Jumpers and a year
and so much heart. They shouldn’t be able to do what they do,”
end Reserve Champion in Pony Jumpers at the Texas H/J Associa-
she says. Nicknamed “Tiger” for his fierce determination, Tracey’s
tion. Kaitlin then bought Tiger outright - he was now a part of the
admiration for him comes through in her voice. “He is so charis-
family and she wanted to take him to Pony Finals again in 2011.
matic, he loves to run and jump. It’s like he’s built on springs - he
Their 2011 season was even better than 2010, with Tiger plac-
doesn’t know or care how big the jumps are, he just goes over. We
ing 1st or 2nd almost every class. Again they headed to Kentucky
even jump him 1.20m (4’) at home!”
for the Championships, but this time, Zone 7 won the Team Gold
Kaitlin had ridden a 7/8 Arabian in 2007 in the local pony hunters, but at the time would have never thought she would
Medal! “That was our greatest accomplishment, winning Gold at
continued on next page
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine GAME ON continued from page ?? the Championships, in addition to finishing 8th individually after a very technical 1.10 meter course,” says Kaitlin. Additionally, she was again selected for the Style Award! They were also Zone 7 Champion in Pony and Childrens Jumpers, Champion in Pony Jumpers and Reserve in Childrens Jumpers in Texas H/J Association. 2012 was a transitional year for Kaitlin as she prepared to head off to college, and therefore didn’t show much. This year, he is leased out to 10-year-old Alissa Brandt, who is learning the ropes. “I learned so much from Tiger, I am still learning from him,” says Kaitlin. “I think the most important thing he taught me was to not let someone tell you that you don’t stand a chance. No one would have thought the Arabian pony that cross-canters would be able to do the pony jumpers, but he showed everyone that he could the exact same thing as the big expensive horses, only even better. “ “Arabians have the best personalities, Tiger is very funny to be around and always makes me laugh. I also admire their athleticism, I never knew how athletic they were before I got Tiger. But my favorite thing about him is his heart, I haven’t ever felt a horse want to win as much as Tiger. He loves to jump and go fast, and half the time I think he could read my mind about what turns and what spots I wanted to do. If I was nervous, he would prance into the ring, or do a little playful ‘jump’ before the buzzer and it always made me laugh and relax. He is just a great teammate!”
Photos courtesy Kaitlin Miller-Roberts
June/July 2013
BITS and pieces
DRESSAGE NEWS
HUNTER & JUMPER NEWS Half-Arabian mare Ability+/(MHR Nobility x Nikita {KWPN})
Ashleigh Flores-Simmons and Anglo mare Athena+++// (LS
with Kristin Hardin on placed 2nd in both the 1.10m & 1.15m
Zane Grey+// x Little Badger Baby) made their debut together at
Jumpers out of 20+ entries at the Memorial Day Classic at LAEC.
the CDI*** Golden State Dressage Festival and earned a 69.7% in
Ability is owned by Gregg & Nancy Shafer.
FEI Grade 2 Para Equestrian test.
Arabian PA Sebastion (Oh Canada x Crystal Vision) and owner
They also earned a 67.2% on First Level Test 1 and a 62.4% on
Sarah Ingram on winning a 1.0m jumper class (of 46 entries) at an
First Level Test 2 at the AHANC show Saturday. This was their first
open show in May. They were named Reserve Champion.
time at First Level and just their second show together. . Athena is
Photo below is by cwillsphotography.com
owned by Rita Mason. Photo above is by Grey Horse Photography. The newest members of The Dressage Foundation’s Century Club: 89 year old Sy Budofsky and Arabian gelding Romeos Krystalbay (Romeo VF+/ x Krystal Charm {AAF Kaset+}), who have a combined age of 105. They performed their required dressage test yesterday at the Palm Beach County Mounted Posse Dressage Show. The horse is owned by the Livecchis of Desert Rose Ranch. We will have their story in our next issue. Carla Scarmazzi and her Half-Arabian RS Royal Edition (Balliance V x Rosa Linda {KWPN}) won the High Score Adult Amateur Award at the VA Dressage Assn. Central Chapter Open USDF Show with a score of 68.973% in First Level. Coming in a close 2nd was Carla and her purebred Arabian CR Ice Storm (My El Sahib x JA S Hannah) with a 67.069% in First Level. After a 2 year break from serious competition, Arabian gelding
Arabian H/J rider and trainer Michael Desiderio was hand cho-
Comandr-N-Chief+// (Rio De Janiero x Shilo Liberation) and owner
sen by George Morris to participate in Morris’ USET Show Jumping
Stacey Burdick-Taul won their Prix St. Georges test at the KY Dres-
Program in May at the USET headquarters.
sage Assn Spring open show. The judge was a British FEI 4* judge.
Only 10 riders were chosen from hundreds of applicants. Cri-
Stacey & Chief were our April/May cover story.
teria were 18+ years old, competing successfully at 1.45m or high-
Half-Arabian Arosenthyme MA+++/ (Rosenthal {Hann} x Alu
er and ability to represent the US in international competition. The
Minchah) cleaned up in First Level at Whidbey Eq. Ctr. Open Dres-
application included videos and a written essay.
sage Show with scores up to 71.6%. She is owned and bred by
9
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Photo by Liz Hall
BITS and pieces (continued)
Pics of You
Oz Poof of Purchase
Rite From The Start Shawna Macauley and trained/ridden by Nicol Hinde. Alu Minchah was the top dam of Half-Arabians at the 2012 SHNs. She also produced Imnaha+//.
EVENTING NEWS The 2013 Eventing season continues to be a great one for Arabian horses! The big tune-up event before Rolex for many at The Fork. Will
Michele Judd and her homebred Half Arabian mare Rite From
Faudree & Anglo Riesling De Buissy were tied for 7th after dres-
he Start (Routinier {Old} x Rahsema Jewell) earned the overall
sage in the CIC** and Houston and Daniel Clasing were in 44th in
High Score award at the Va. Dressage Assoc./N. Va. Chapter show
the CCI*** out of 56 entries.
with a 74.107%! It was their first rated show. Photo above by Kara Hite/Pics of You. Half-Arabian PL Lucky Tammy (Its The Luck Of The Irish {RID} x PL Shirley) with owner/trainer Glenda Player earned a 69% their
Final results were: Will and Riesling De Buissy finished 7th in the CIC**. Daniel Clasing and HOUSTON jumped up to 25th in the CIC***. Both horses went double clear in a VERY tough cross country!
first time in Third Level Test 3 at the PVDA Spring Open Dressage
At the Ocala International 3 Day Event, the dynamite British-
Show. Tammy & Glenda performed a dressage demonstration at
bred Half Arabian Erodium, ridden by Olympian Jessica Phoenix,
the 2010 World Equestrian Games. She was bred by the Player
were in 5th place after Dressage in the CCI**, held that place with
family of Playland Farm.
a double clear Cross Country. They went double clear in Stadium
Half-Arabian ONLY A DREAM (Nico {AWS} x Nisrs Navianna)
to finish in 5th place.
competed in May in Prix St. Georges at the Lexington Spring Dres-
Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event ended very well for Anglo Arabian
sage Show, earning a 60%. She is ridden by Sarah Doyle, owned
Houston and Daniel Clasing, they went double clear on that mas-
by Janet Lewis and bred by Susan McAdoo. Photo by Pics of You.a
sive cross country course and finished after stadium in 21st out
Congratulations to Half-Arabian KB Kalila Fahim+++/ (by KB
of 50 entries.
Omega Fahim) who earned a 73% in Fourth Level to win at an
The Maryland Combined Training Assoc. Horse Trials is a popu-
open dressage show at just her 2nd show at that level. She is
lar fixture on the spring eventing schedule. Held at Shawan Downs
owned by Chrissie Bailey and trained/ridden by Chelsea Sibley.
in Baltimore, this year was well attended by riders and horses with
Arabian stallion Bonne Vivant++++// (Monogramm x Bonne
big names and not-so-big names.
Cherie) and rider Kassandra Barteau earned a 63.29% in Prix St
Lauren Kieffer had a string of horses there, including her
Georges and a winning score of 63.684% in I-1 at the Chatta-
young Anglo-Arabian Vermiculus. This writer was present to watch
hoochee Hills Open Dressage show. Kassandra had only recently
them do their stadium round and go right out onto cross coun-
gotten the ride. Bonne Vivant is owned by Cheryl Showah.
try. Unfortunately, a miscommunication in a combination caused them to have to circle, counting as a refusal. They finished 15th in Preliminary.
June/July 2013
11
Jenni Autry/Eventing Nation
Riesling De Buissy
Jenni Autry/Eventing Nation
BITS and pieces (continued)
Erodium Denise Nader and Anglo Zurick competed in Open Novice,
dium and Jessica finished the CCI** in 8th place.
finishing 8th. Denise donated a perpetual trophy named for her
Tami Pacho and her Half-Arabian mare WALL STREET STATUS
Arabian Octavius to be awarded to the winning Senior Beginner
(Back Street x Sea Symbol RF {ASB}) placed 4th at Galway Downs
Novice team.
Spring Horse Trials in Sr. Beg. Novice after a 3 year hiatus from
Half-Arabian PL Irish Thunder (PL Diamond Hill {ID} x PL Elad-
competition.
dinns Lite) and owner Rose Lehnig placed 2nd at the Redland
Anglo Arabians Tatchou and Hito CP finished Badminton Horse
Hunt Horse Trials in Training last month. PL Irish Thunder was bred
Trials in 60th and 64th places respectively out of 84 entries. One
by Playland Farm, who have been breeding Arabians & HAs since
of the toughest tests of horse and rider on the planet!
the 1970s.
Saumur in France had 5 Anglos in the 3* and 15 in the 2* as
Oz Poof Of Purchase, homebred Anglo ridden & owned by
is to be expected in the birthplace of this breed. The final results
Katy Groesbeck, won the CCI2* at Twin Rivers Spring 3-Day after
of the CCI3* for the Anglo Arabs: Olympe d’Eos - 12th; Junco CP
double clears in XC & Stadium. Their next outing will be Rebecca
- 15th; Iberon CP - 19th; Piano Star - 20th and Neo De Breuil -
Farm in July along with Poof’s brother, Oz The Tin Man, who was
22nd.
laid up with an injury since fall. Katy is fundraising for the trip donate by visiting www.kgeventing.com. Katy and her awesome horses will be featured in the August/ September issue. Mid-May was the very popular Jersey Fresh event. Half-Ara-
Arabian BF Amigo (NV Congo x Tema Amira) who competes as “Figjam” was recently sold to a young rider, Hayley Miller, and they placed 2nd & 3rd in Novice Rider on their first two outings. Figjam was previously competed at Prelim by Elisa Wallace. Best of luck to this new pair!
bian ERODIUM and Olympian Jessica Phoenix finished dressage
The 26 year old Arabian mare Black Moons Molly (Nahr Ra-
in 5th place in the CCI3* with a 55.4. Anglo Arabian Riesling De
ban x Mistanny El Aswad) and her junior rider Melissa Morris, who
Buissy and Will Faudree were in in 3rd place in the CCI2* after
placed 16th at the Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trials. Molly stands
dressage with a 49.8.
just 13.3 hands.
After an exciting cross country on day 2, Riesling De Buissy wound up in 2nd place in the CCI** with a double clear while Ero-
Melissa & Molly have qualified for the USEA Area IV Championships the last 2 years! Molly is owned by Cassie Phelps.
dium jumped clear, but had time penalties and was sitting in 7th
Vermiculus and Lauren Kieffer finished the Preliminary divi-
place in the CCI***. There were only 2 double clears on this tough
sion in 4th place at the Virginia Horse Trials. The pair moved up
3* course, which 6 horses didn’t even complete.
from 7th after dressage, thanks to a double clear cross country
Showjumping concluded in the CCI** with Riesling De Buissy and Will finishing in 2nd place after a double clear course. Ero-
and just 4 jump faults in Stadium.
12
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Profiles In Courage by Karin Foley
Walking in the Shadow of a
Rainbow
Mary Jo Hoepner & Made In The Shade+/ Kathleen Bryan Photo
June/July 2013
V
ery few Arabian-bred horses compete in the Open Dres-
rider, further testament to the cooperative partnership necessary
sage world. Even fewer compete at the FEI (internation-
between them. The time and effort it takes to arrive at that place
al) level. But only one is doing all of this with an Amateur
is akin to the time and effort it takes to achieve the “wonderous,”
rider, and that is Mary Jo Hoepner and her Half-Arabian/
part two of Walking in the Shadow of a Rainbow.
Percheron gelding “Made In The Shade+/” by the late Arabian stal-
Several years ago when I first heard about Shade and his Percheron heritage it made me smile. Going back probably a dozen
lion Ravenswood Flag. There is a concept in Native American thinking called “Walk-
years ago now I stopped at a friend’s place mid trip to layover with
ing in the Shadow of a Rainbow.” The concept is
my Percheron driving horse “Wild at Heart.” By coincidence that
two-fold. The first part being that relation-
same weekend Thomas Ritter was conducting a dressage clinic at
ships develop not from some monumen-
my friend’s farm. Wild at Heart was turned out in a paddock and
tal happening but from the constancy of
Ritter, glancing out the window, commented with his most Ger-
day to day things…sharing. So for instance,
man attitude that he (Wild at Heart) was not any good for anything
humans develop meaningful realtionships by
except plowing. Almost instantly Wild at Heart began doing canter
simply doing simple things together such as
pirouettes in the field and Ritter’s lower lip hit his chest. I could
taking walks, planting a garden together, or sharing meals.
not control my laughter. Percherons are one of the few breeds of draft horses capable
The second part of concept has to do
of doing mid level or higher dressage. They often cannot do FEI
with experiencing something “wonderous.”
levels only because their size, as a matter of physics, makes it im-
We have walked in the shadow of a rainbow
possible. Many Percherons have the structure and brain to do the
when something “wonderous” is seen or expe-
work. So while I thought MJ’s choice a bold one, it made perfect
rienced. Now at the basis of part two is part one.
sense.
The “wonderous” is always there in everyday
Mary Jo told me she searched for Shade for two years before
things for us. We have to open our eyes to see
finding him as a green four year old. He needed to be “the one,”
it.
meaning the right fit personality wise he needed to be capable This Native American concept is deeply
of doing FEI level dressage. In addition, to meet MJ’s needs he
rooted in the belief that all humans have ani-
needed to have size, be athletic, sound, and he had to fit within
mal spirit guides and teachers. Furthermore, we
a certain price range. Mary Jo told me, “I had a fantastic Anglo
journey with our guides and teachers through our different life
Arab bred by Dr. John Aldred. I was not going to settle for anything
times since Indians believe we are souls with a body and not bod-
less.” While it is an indisputable fact that it takes steady, consist-
ies with a soul. The moment our beloved horse makes us his or hers is the mo-
ent, grueling work to bring a horse up through the levels it is
ment at which we Walk in the Shadow of a Rainbow. It is those
the relationship with the horse that makes all things possible. To
day-to-day moments of riding, feeding, grooming, and visiting
achieve greatness with a horse you must first Walk in the Shadow
that make that particular “wonderous” moment possible. Such is
of a Rainbow. Like many of the most successful horse and rider
the experience of Mary Jo and her boy, “Shade.”
combos, Shade and Mary Jo utilize other disciplines in Shade’s
There is a reason this column is called “Profiles in Courage”
training, such as Working Western, jumping and trail riding. It is
and not “Profiles in Check Writing.” To bring along a horse on your
a well-known fact that the FEI horses under Steffen Peters care
own takes not only total commitment it requires the courage of
take regular trail rides as part of training and reward for a job well
your convictions and a level of emotional toughness that few of
done. I hear Weltino’s Magic loves to trial ride because he loves
us can rally. Yes, it does cost money but it also cost time and fortitude. There is a big difference between paying a pro to train a horse and bringing a horse along yourself.
to look at things. At an AHA show about five years ago I visited with Carter Bass during a break between judging dressage tests and asked Carter, if
According to the United States Dressage Federation,
in her experience most dressage riders in the open world trained
Dressage is a French term meaning “training” and its
and rode their own horses or had pros do the work for them. She
purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic
kind of snickered (as only Carter can do) and replied, “At the upper
ability and willingness to work making him calm,
levels either the pro rides the horse or the owner does. A combi-
supple and attentive to his rider. Currently, com-
nation of the pro schooling the horse and the owner hopping on
petitive dressage involves nine progressive levels
for shows is ridiculous and does not work.” MJ trains with Grant
incorporating multiple tests within each level. Special tests are
Schneidman and relayed a similar comment from Grant. “You can-
also written for musical freestyle. To the untrained eye, dressage
not fake the upper level movements by having someone else train
at its best appears as though the horse is without cues from its
continued on next page
13
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine COURAGE continued from page 13
lege of interacting with Mary Jo over the
Janet when I mentioned that the horse
and school and then hop on.” So for the
years know the tough Mary Jo. That is the
and rider pair I was writing about was Mary
eight years Shade was at Grant Schnei-
Mary Jo who represents her region with
Jo and Shade from Janet’s home state of
dman’s, he was ridden by MJ 99% of the
USDF, the Mary Jo who works towards im-
Colorado. With great glee Janet said, “MJ is
time.
provements for dressage riders with AHA,
a GREAT gal. She often takes lessons from
One imperative when an amateur
the Mary Jo who is not afraid to say what
works with a pro is to find the pro that
she thinks based on her experience. The
works with you and your horse. Mary Jo
Mary Jo who has the courage of her con-
says about Grant, “He figured out right
victions. You might not always agree with
away that Shade tried so hard. He even
Mary Jo yet you have to respect her right to
admonished me that I needed to be more
voice an opinion because she has EARNED
sensitive with my sensitive horse.“ From
the right to voice it. So the Mary Jo who
riding many, many mares through the
brought along Shade…the soft, quiet Mary
years, I learned that there are some hors-
Jo who loves Shade was quite a surprise
es you have to ask and some horses you
to me. You cannot miss Mary Jo’s love for
have to tell. Additionally, you have to real-
him.
me. I love her to death!” Mary Jo and Shade have won both Bronze and Silver Medals in the USDF and Horse of the Year honors in All-Breed Awards and USEF rankings. They have earned higher median scores than many professionals they compete against. They were selected as demo horse and rider for the Intermediare II / Grand Prix group for “Through The Levels” Symposium with Olympic rider Steffen Peters and judge Janet Foy. This accomplished pair have been recognized for their achievements by Foy. There were over 80 applicants for this honored position! Throughout their career together, Mary Jo has promoted Shade’s Arabian heritage to judges, trainers and spectators alike. They participate in clinics, educational demonstrations, training sessions, etc. Each time, the comments from spectators and participants illustrate a change in their perception of the capabilities of Arabian-breds in the elite upper levels of dressage.
Kathleen Bryan Photo
14
ize that some horses will just try too hard
How much of success has to do with
and those horses without a kind hand will
intangibles by definition cannot be quan-
get disheartened. So for those like Mary Jo
tified. It is impossible to think that any
with a sensitive boy like Shade it is imper-
horse could be brought along year after
ative to work with someone who sees and
year by an owner if the relationship was
understands a sensitive horse…not all do.
not harmonious. I asked FEI 4* judge Janet
My first dressage trainer announced
Foy if when she is watching a horse and
to me that “anyone who thinks their horse
rider pair if she can see the special bond
loves them is crazy.” I filed that one away.
between them. Janet said, “Yes, think of
My first dressage horse, Lilly, DID love me
Brentina and Debbie MacDonald or Ed-
and I her. Lilly has long since retired from
ward Gal and Totilas. Not every rider gets
the dressage arena, is happier as a fox
that perfect partner.” I could not help but
hunter, and she remains a constant horse
ask Janet how that affected a test score
love in my life. That unloving trainer was
and her response was perfect. “In the USEF
quickly replaced.
test, ‘harmony’ is the last score in collec-
I could not miss in my conversations
tives and is a great place for a ‘10.’ In the
with Mary Jo about Shade how much she
FEI tests, the submission and rider score
loves Shade and how in tune she is with
would be the place to do it.” It was not un-
him. Those of us who have had the privi-
til near the end of my conversation with
About Karin Karin Foley has written for numerous equine publications including The Blood Horse, Middleburg Today, Equus Magazine, and Modern Arabian Horse. She currently lives in the Finger Lakes region of New York with her husband Willis. Together, they breed Arab and Welsh bred sport ponies for adult dressage, eventing, and foxhunting riders. They also raise English Labrador Retrievers to be PTSD service dogs, therapy dogs for autistic children, and great family dogs. Karin has studied riding and horsemanship with many wonderful instructors including Sally O’Connor , Thomas Ritter, and Conrad Schumacher . She attributes her sticking seat to a year of lunge line lessons with the fabulous Kayla DeArmis, a student of Conrad Schumacher’s and the encouragement of her long term friend, Sue Fanelli. Karin’s interests include sport horse breeding, the biomechanics of riding and unusual horse adventures. Karin also enjoys writing about courageous horses and their riders and individual experiences with great teachers. If you have a unique story contact Karin at karinfoley@rocketmail. com.
June/July 2013
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
June/July 2013
s g n i r
Hope
by Rebekah Savage
p S Eternal A
Photos courtesy Kristin Hardin
leap of faith, a skilled trainer and a gifted mare combine to make a winning partnership in both the Arabian and open jumper circuits. Hope Springs Eternal+/, a 2000 bay purebred mare by
multi-National Champion Park Horse stallion Allience+// and out of the mare Pajarito Esprit, has proven herself time and again in the jumper division. In 2005, Hope was bought by trainer Kristin Hardin of Kristin Hardin Stables in New Cuyama, Calif. Hardin was returning from Sport Horse Nationals and had just lost her horse, DDA Springtime, to colic. With an empty spot in her trailer, Hardin stopped to look at Hope and decided to buy the mare and take her home. Hope was unpapered and unproven as a show horse but Hardin recognized the potential of the mare and, wanting to show her on the Arabian circuit, had her DNA tested in order to have her registered. Hardin was pregnant at the time Hope was being started, so she had a friend help her. Once Hope was well broke, they created a sale video. In 2006, Lynn McAlister of Shadow Acres Farm in Mountain Home, Arkansas, was looking for a horse for her two daughters. McAlister saw the video and although she hadn’t seen Hope in person, she made the decision to buy her. “I never laid eyes on her and I never talked with my husband,” said McAlister. “I had bought an unpapered horse. It was a big leap of faith.” McAlister finally met Hope in person in Scottsdale where Hardin showed her what the horse was capable of. The original plan was after the show, McAlister would trailer Hope to her new home. Hardin, after starting and showing Hope, knew how talented the mare was and given her somewhat hot-headed temperament, McAlister decided to let Hope return to California and continue training with Hardin. McAlister ended up also buying Hope’s sister, a quieter horse, for her daughters. Under Hardin’s guidance, Hope blossomed into a fierce competitor in the jumper ring. Together, the pair have won numerous awards in the Arabian and Open jumper circuit. Her first year at Sport Horse Nationals, they won the Arabian Open Jumper class. Since then, they have won the class three more times and finished second once. They also won the Mini-Prix twice and the Speed Class once. On the open circuit, Hope dominated the 1.00m Jumpers and the 1.07m True Green Jumpers in 2009 at the Santa Barbara National II. In
continued on next page
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
18
HOPE continued from page 17
In between her competitions, Hope
health issues. She is a poster child for Plat-
2012, at the Memorial Day Classic, she won
earned a sponsorship with Platinum Plus.
inum.” Despite her lack of health issues,
in the 1.05m Jumpers and 1.00M multiple
“She has been on it since she came to my
McAlister had a concern. “If something
times. At the Camelot Classic, she won the
barn,” said Hardin. “She has never had any
happens to Hope, we don’t have some-
$1500 .95m Speed Stake and .95m
thing of her,” said McAlister. So, the
Speed Stake Championship. Also in
decision was made to pull Hope
2012, Hope showed at Showpark
from competition to breed her. Af-
June Jamboree Festival, Santa Bar-
ter several attempts to breed her,
bara National II and Pebble Beach
a foal was not produced. After dis-
Equestrian Classic II, where she once
cussion amongst Hope’s vet, trainer
again dominated the 1.05m Jump-
and owner, the decision to switch
ers.
stallions was made. Hope then was The unique partnership between
bred to Cortez, a Holsteiner Grand
Hope and Hardin was proven when
Prix jumper, owned by Hardin.
Hope jumped an ATV as part of a
In 2011, Hope gave birth to
demonstration. “She is so trusting of
a filly named Hope and Dreams,
me, if she feels I want her to jump it,
whom they call Harmony. Harmony
she will,” said Hardin.
Hope and Harmony
is now 2 years old and “looks like a tiny version of her Mom,” said Hardin. Harmony, who is still growing, is slowly being
Blind Squirrel Labradors
handled and started. “Hopefully she’ll be as good of a jumper as her Mom,” said Hardin. After two years away from jumping and competing, Hope’s owner and trainer questioned whether she would still enjoy showing. They needn’t have worried, Hope quashed their doubts even winning the 2012 Arabian Horse Association Open Competition award. The Open Competition Award is given to a Purebred or half-Arabian or Anglo Arabian in areas of outstanding achievement in representing
English Labs for Sport, Service, Therapy & Love
Chocolate, Black and Yellow puppies ready to go home with you July 2013! Karin Foley • 716-244-8659 • Email
the Arabian breed in Open Competition. “Hope is the most competitive horse I’ve ridden,” said Hardin. “I’m glad she won it, she deserved it.” Since her big return, Hardin cannot help but notice Hope’s love for competition and jumping. “She loves to jump and work. She loves to show, she gets quite an attitude at a show. Getting on her is like sitting on loaded dynamite.” McAlister is tossing around the idea of breeding Hope again, but for now, Hope will continue to blast her way through the jumper ring. Not bad for a leap of faith purchase on an unpapered, unproven and unseen mare.
June/July 2013
Photos courtesy Kristin Hardin
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Winds of Mag Arabian Pony Blows Away the Competition
fields, every morning I found him grazing in my front yard. We put rails on top of the posts but nothing worked.” When Betsy acquired some green Thoroughbreds, she realized it was time to find Magic a new home. Many potential buyers came and went after he took them across the arena his way until a young girl, Christine Lonsdale, and her mother showed up. Christine was looking for an eventing pony, she had shown a little bit in the jumpers both locally and rated, was active in pony club and fox hunted. She had even ridden a few Arabs for other people from Parker/The Book LLC Photo
time to time. “Christine rode him beautifully, she
M
had a perfect position and Magic some-
A Winds of Magic was born in West Virginia on April 11, 1996. His sire was Half-
how knew she was worthy. They came
Arabian Moment of Magic, sired by Saddlebred Harlequin Magic Maker. His dam
back with her trainer and the trainer saw
RAS Wind Dancer was an Ivanhoe Tsultan granddaughter.
the potential and a deal was struck,” re-
Purchased as a two-year-old by a man on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, he made his
calls Betsy. “ The rest is like a fairytale.”
way to eventer Betsy Brawner of Humphrey’s Point Farm in Rock Hall, Maryland. Betsy
It was June of 2008, and Magic was
recounts the story, “Magic came to me as a trainee, meaning his owner did not know what
Christine’s 14th birthday present. They
to do with him. He was no use to her as he made all the students cry, such was his ‘fun
bonded quickly, as the perfect horse and
loving’ temperament. One girl was able to ride him, she would jump him over the fences
rider partnerships do. Christine describes
and that was all she did with him, but she moved away and nobody could or would ride
him, “Magic is incredibly intelligent, al-
him until he found his way to my farm.
most human like. He’s the sweetest, most
“I put him in the round pen and he ran around with his nose straight up in the air, tail
lovable animal I’ve ever encountered. He
high, prancing on air it seemed. I thought ‘what a beautiful animal!’ Magic and I bonded,
will sleep in his stall or field and I can just
I was a very daring rider and had a deep admiration and respect for him, plus I adored his
lie next to him and relax. Magic is very at-
personality. After over a year, I decided to purchase him, taught him some dressage and
tached to me, and he’ll watch me when I
off to the horse trials we went. He managed to gather many blues at the novice level and
go walk the course when my mom holds
became quite well known in the area.“
him, she says he never takes his eyes off
He was also a bit of an escape artist. “I found it nearly impossible to keep him in the
me. Magic is a once in a lifetime pony, he’s
gic
June/July 2013 massively talented and athletic, and he’s my best friend.” Christine and Magic started out in eventing, until they both realized that dressage was not a favorite for either of them. So in 2011, they decided to give jumper shows a shot. They enlisted the help of trainer Kenny Krome, who immediately saw the potential in Magic. Christine admits that it took her a little longer to polish her skills. By their fourth show, Magic and Christine were winning every class they would enter at the 1m level, even winning the Championship at the Maryland National Hunter/Jumper Show. The new kids on the block were definitely the ones to beat! In 2012, they set their sights on qualifying for Devon, hoping to compete in the $2,500 North American League Pony Jumper Championship. The pair did very well leading up to the Championship
Photo courtesy Christine Lonsdale
class, earning firsts and seconds in the other classes. Their strategy during the championship jump off was to go cautiously as no rider ahead of them had gone clear. Christine and Magic had already jumped 5 clear rounds that day, and she knew he could give them another. Christine rode the course conservatively, and they left up all the jumps. Although they incurred three time faults, it was still good enough to give them the win and the Championship. Their next outing was the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg where they would compete in the $4,000 North American League Pony Jumper Finals. After jumping a clean round their first trip, they pulled one rail in the jump off but still earned Reserve
Christine and Magic in the Winner’s Circle at Devon.
Championship. “Winning Devon was the best moment of my life and was my biggest accomplishment. But Reserve Champion at Harrisburg was cool too!” Christine says.
Christine’s Senior Prom photo with her pony.
In 2013, they haven’t shown except for an outing in January where they placed second in the NAL/WIHS/M&S Children/Adult Jumper Classic at 1.10m. Because of Christine’s school schedule, they weren’t able to qualify for Devon this year but have plans to go up north to compete over the summer. About her special pony, Christine says, “Magic has taught me so much! He’s so talented that he’s been able to easily transfer into the various stages of my riding as I’ve progressed. I was not nearly as smart on course as I am now, because of Magic. Magic has gone from babysitting me around the courses to becoming my greatest partner in winning the big classics. Magic has also taught me a lot outside the ring. He’s taught me the value of hard work and patience.” Christine is planning a professional career in horses, but states, “I will own Magic forever, no matter where the future takes me, he Photo courtesy Christine Lonsdale
will stay by my side.“
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
You have to have a horse with three good gaits, and the ability to really have power to be a sport horse.
Q & A with
Hilda Gurney The Olympic rider and trainer answers readers’ questions about Arabians and dressage
What do you think Arabians can bring to the table as sporthorses?
When I judge the sport horse halter
they are an individual.
classes, which are really popular, usually
Arabians are wonderful animals, full of
I’m giving nine on the head and eight for
Do you see Arabians, Half or Anglo Ara-
vim and vigor, they like to work, and they
the shoulders and saddle position and
bians as being competitive in open com-
are beautiful. They bring energy, lightness
eight on the legs. Hindquarters I go down
petition at a regional, national & interna-
off the ground, which is what we want in
to a six. It’s the articulation of the hind-
tional level?
the sport horse type, and buoyancy and
quarters, especially in the Egyptian Ara-
Not regular Arabians, but Half-Arabians
beauty. They are tough horses so they
bian, it is wrong for sport horse. The Polish
absolutely. I taught a clinic with a horse
bring resiliency, they’re long-lived plus
Arabian is the best line and more suitable.
by Aul Magic (Laine Sklar’s Paladin SF} that
most of them stay pretty sound.
You have to have a horse with three
was really, really tops. That was in Arizona.
good gaits, and the ability to really have
And I judged the Young Show Horse Series
What are the weakest aspects of Arabi-
power to be a sport horse. Whether you
Finals at Spy Coast Farm in Florida with
ans?
are jumping, doing dressage or eventing,
$25,000 prize money and a Half-Arabian
you need power. They need to be able to
{Samantha Werner’s Uphoria} was Cham-
articulate the hind leg under them to cre-
pion in the halter. They didn’t say he was
ate that power. So you want the longer,
Half-Arab, but he was really fabulous, by
more sloping croup and the forward slop-
far the most outstanding horse that day.
The conformation of their hindquarters. How do you compensate for this? Well I think now Arabian breeders are breeding for different types. Some breed
ing femur.
Half-Arabians have been competitive on the international level, just not pure-
for Western, some breed for show hack,
Do you do anything different when rid-
some breed for Park horse type. I think
breds. One, they’re too small generally;
ing/training Arabians?
and two, the articulation of the hind end.
now that people are starting to breed Ara-
No, nothing different. I probably have
bians for sport horse, they need to pay at-
As far as Anglos, probably the other cross-
10 different breeds and I train each horse
tention to the hindquarters.
es would do better, the Thoroughbreds are
as an individual, not as a breed, because
no longer competitive in the sport horse
June/July 2013 world. Sometimes in eventing but pretty
ment. He certainly could carry more en-
mostly on relaxation, same with our young
much in dressage and jumping you don’t
gagement in the gaits, but he is capable
horses. And we have a lot of Half-Arabians
see Thoroughbreds anymore.
of very good engagement. His piaffe and
too, but they are part Trakehner so they are
passage are as good as it gets.
more than half Arabian. In fact, most of my
Do you think there is breed prejudice among dressage judges?
Hilary Clayton’s stallion carries very, very good engagement and he’s competi-
stock is more than half Arabian but they are called Oldenburg or whatever.
Maybe a little. But I’m a dressage judge
tive in the open world too. But they’re not
They are so willing and you don’t have
and I’m about to bring my Arabian up to
going to make it to the Olympics, they’re
to be so tough. We spend more time on re-
I-1 and Grand Prix very shortly and I’ve
too small and they don’t want small horses
laxation and just waiting, it’s a nicer train
done well with him. It’s not that they are
in the Olympics. There shouldn’t be that
frankly. I love horses and I don’t like get-
breed prejudiced, it is that the horse has
prejudice but there is.
ting after them. But you teach them to wait
to perform in a suitable manner. It is the
and you do it in a patient way. You know I
horse not the breed. I mean purebred Ar-
What observations do you have about
don’t spend a lot of time, I ride 15 horses
abs aren’t bred to move across their backs,
horses that ‘think too much’ or ‘think
in five hours. And in half an hour I can do
which is really important in dressage. Most
they know better than the rider’ and do
a lot of training on a horse. But it doesn’t
Arabs tend to move hollow in their backs.
you have some insight into how to handle
have to be tough or repetitive, you know.
All dressage judges want to see a horse
these personality types?
You don’t get impatient with them. They
using his back and most purebred Arabs aren’t bred to move that way. But some
First, no horse knows better than I do, we don’t go there.
try so hard to please you. The biggest thing is usually getting
of the crosses tend to move that way as
So many of my horses are registered
them used to competition. I always school
they get positive characteristics from both
Oldenburg but they’re at least half Trakeh-
at a show before I show. The first time in
sides. And then you have exceptions. The
ner and they are hot. They have similar
a show ring is never in a test. I usually
Arab stallion I ride has very good move-
dispositions as the Arabians. So we work
take the day before to school the horses in the ring. With young horses, we take them to shows and just hang out. We school the day before the show or school the day of the show when it’s allowed, just to get them where they’re confident and you don’t over face them. You just have to be really aware that you can’t over face them, let them build confidence. It’s the same way you do with a child, it’s something you build. You don’t take a child and throw them into a swimming pool; you introduce them gradually. What is your first impression when you see an Arab come down the centerline? I usually think, “How pretty!” I like seeing non-Warmbloods.
Hilda with purebred stallion Cal Dorado, National Champions in Prix St. Georges in 1997. Rob Hess photo.
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Prepare Your Mare for an Inspection Conditiioning and training tips before your Arabian mare gets inspected Story & Photos by Tamara Torti
F
or us breeders of Arabian bred sport
placed her as the highest scoring Arabian
2. Lunge in a relaxed forward fashion.
horses, it’s that time of year when
mare in the AHS Breed Books. Carli re-
3. Lunge in long/low contact with side
we start to think about which mares
ceived an extremely rare “10” and scored
reins.
to take to an inspection. The regis-
“8’s” for elasticity and impulsion.
4. Lunge with quiet transitions, while
try that you choose will ultimately decide
The following is my training routine for
the breeding direction you choose, but
preparing my mares for Inspections. My
getting your mare ready is the same for all
hope is that I can share what worked for
of them. Arabians are beginning to make
me to help others who want to take their
1. The above process as a warm up for
their mark in sport horse breeding with
Arabian mare to an Inspection and get
your ride. (2-3 days a week)
more and more Arabians making their way
good results.
2. Riding over ground poles/cavalettis
to Warmblood registry inspections.
Beginning 8 to 12 weeks before the
staying forward into the contact. 5. Lunge over ground poles. For Riding Mares:
3. Trail Riding (Hills and Galloping)
How we prepare our mares for this
inspection, following this very easy con-
Finding out the date of your chosen
process can make a world of difference
ditioning routine will have your mare well
inspection location is the first step. Let’s
the day of the Inspection. I’m writing this
prepared and looking her best for the in-
say for the sake of this article that our tar-
from my personal experience of taking my
spection process:
get inspection is in late August, so I would
mare, Caraechstrodinair, to her AHS In-
1. Hand walk for a pre-warm up to lung-
begin in early May. All you need to get
spection, where she received scores that
ing.
started is a decent place to lunge, a bridle
They are not looking at pedigrees... They are looking for Arabians with correct conformation and good gaits...
June/July 2013 with a simple smooth snaffle, surcingle,
to walk, always looking to keep the horse
add a couple more poles and set them for
side reins and ground poles. Relaxation,
forward into the contact while maintaining
a working trot stride. I usually have any-
suppleness and impulsion along with very
relaxation. I will also begin doing transi-
where from 3 to 5 set for the trot. This will
good conformation are key to having a
tions within the gait, working to medium
help muscling through the neck, shoulders
good inspection.
back to working, really keeping the hind
and over their topline while teaching them
end engaged.
rhythm, impulsion and reach.
I like to begin with working on the
Ground
lunge with side reins. I do this 3 times a
Moving onto the canter, I like them to
poles should be added after a good warm
week for about 20 minutes each session.
be forward, but not running. The canter
up, so you get the most out of the exer-
Always begin with walking first. I actu-
needs cadence and balance. Many of our
cise.
ally like to hand walk my mare around the
Arabians that have been trained for other
If your mare is a riding horse, you have
arena a few times before and after each
disciplines tend to “run” around in circles
a huge advantage in conditioning options
session. This gets your horse loose before
very quickly; if you have one of these,
for the Inspection. Warmblood Registries
your begin and helps the cooling process
do not worry, it can and will change with
are looking to accept mares that will im-
after.
some work. Always keeping relaxation in
prove their gene pool and create better
On the lunge, I like them to be forward,
mind, let your mare find her comfort zone
riding horses, so if the mare is rideable
walking with a purpose, while stretching
and encourage her to relax by bending her
that is a plus. If you are already compet-
down into the contact of the side reins. If I
to the inside then letting her back out; re-
ing within a sport like Dressage, Hunters,
can paint a visual, you want to see big over
peating until she starts to slow down and
Jumpers and even Endurance, you are
stride while the horse rounds over its top-
find her rhythm. This may take some pa-
ahead of the class. Use the lunging exer-
line and all the moving parts should look
tience and a couple of sessions, but it will
cises as a warm up to your ride, or as a light
freshly oiled and loose. Many Arabians
get better. Even though the “canter” is not
day of work within your weekly routine.
find this to be the most difficult, but they
scored at an inspection, during the Liberty
You too will see improvement in muscling
will learn if you stay with it. If I’m working
part they will see the canter and you want
over the topline. During your rides add
with a green horse I will take my time and
it to be a good impression. It should be
some ground poles and cavalettis to your
walk quite a bit, hand walking and lunging.
cadenced and well balanced and these ex-
routine. Really ask your mare to reach and
When I get relaxation with contact I will
ercises will help get good results.
stretch over her back when going through
proceed to trot.
During the lunging sessions you can
the grid.
The trot work should also be forward
and should mix it up a bit by adding ground
Getting out of the arena and out on the
with stretch over the topline in the contact.
poles. Start with a single ground pole on
trails can also be very beneficial, especially
If the horse stays in the contact I then start
the circle, when you have walk, trot and
adding transitions walk to trot and back
canter in a forward and relaxed manner
continued on page 94
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
www.tranquillityhorsefarm.com
June/July 2013
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
ON THE
Nancy Rosen nancyshoots.com
28
continue
Wings and Springs! A modern day Pegasus takes the West Coast by a storm
A
s the old adage goes, you don’t
over 100 years of Anglo-Arabian breed-
From 4 to 6 years of age, he was com-
know what you are capable of
ing. Jacinthe had previously produced
peting in France under Cedric Hurel, one
until you try. If you ask Poeme
the National stallion Fusain du Defey.
of the country’s top jumper riders. His
D’Amour, he’ll tell you nothing is impossi-
Previously, Cendrine Dutrait and her
6-year-old season ended with an ISO
ble. The 10-year-old Anglo-Arabian geld-
partner Jean Bernard Anizan had bred
(show jumping index) of 131, having
ing has a “cheeky, I can do anything” atti-
Ryon to their mare by embryo transfer
qualified for the final in Fontainebleau,
tude, according to his owner Misti Cassar.
and gotten the colt Nid d’Amour de Buis-
and competing twice with no faults at
And so far, he’s been right!
sy, who now stands at the French Nation-
the Championships at the Lion d’Angers.
al Stud. They had really wanted a filly, so
Shortly thereafter, he was sold to Belgium
they tried again and Poeme was born.
where his breeders lost touch with him.
Born and bred in the Limousin area of France, a region considered the cradle of Anglo-Arabian horse breeding, at the
He was an impressive big colt, gray
Misti Cassar, an experienced jumper
well-respected Elevage De Buissy, Poeme
like his mother. He was selected for the
rider based in California, had competed
came to the United States in 2009. He is a
famous elite sale, “FENCES,” and sold to
on an international level for several years
a son of Ryon d’Anzex, who competed in
the National Stud., although he stayed at
and was looking for a new horse in 2010
the World Championships, and Jacinthe
home until he was three, when his educa-
when a friend in France told her about
Du Maury (by Fol Avril), both products of
tion began.
Poeme. “How does a horse who has
June/July 2013
COVER
This horse is my first Arabian,
had only one jump down in 29 classes
the ride and had success in some high
sound?” he asked Misti. She had no idea
jumper classes and a few Grands Prix.
what an Anglo Arabian was, but his record
Then she took Poeme back to Europe to
spoke for itself.
show him there. “It is so much less expen-
Misti flew to Italy to try him, although
sive to show there. You only spend about
she was about to go through a much-
300 euros per week compared to $3,000
needed knee replacement after having
per week in the U.S.,” she explains.
fractured her knee in eleven places. She
It was back to California after a few
but I can tell you,
had been living in a lot of pain, although
months for family reasons, and into the
riding was much more comfortable than
jumper arena there with some prestig-
he won’t be my last!
walking. Poeme was one of two horses
ious placings in 1.3 and 1.4 meter classes
she tried that day and there was no doubt
for the pair.
ed on next page
in Misti’s mind that she wanted him. She
But it was in the summer of 2012
sealed the deal from her hospital room
when Misti and “Mister,” as she calls him
the day of her surgery, despite knowing
(since everyone thinks he’s a mare) set
she wouldn’t be allowed to ride for an-
the world on fire. They placed 10th in the
other 9 months. She left him in Europe
$30,000 Pebble Beach Grand Prix. In Sep-
for 2 months before bringing him home.
tember, the crowd cheered wildly when
So while Misti busted her butt in re-
they won the $30,000 LA International
hab – her physical therapist said she and
Welcome Stake class and placed 3rd in
a 3-time Iraqi veteran were his superstars
the hotly contested $50,000 LA Interna-
- Poeme was being shown a little by John
tional Grand Prix!
French in some 7 & 8 year old jumper classes, even winning a few. In the spring of 2010, Misti took over
A couple of weeks later, they were 3rd in the $35,000 Sacramento International Welcome Grand Prix (1.5 meters). Misti and Mister followed that up three weeks later at the National Preview Horse Show with two wins in the $30,000 Grand Prix and the $30,000 Grand Prix Championship! They’ve been to a few shows so far this year, placing 5th in the $33,000 HITS Desert Classic, garnering a win in a 1.4 meter class and an 8th in the $15,000 HITS Desert Circuit Level 8 class. “He is so brave, but sensible and really game. He would go through fire if I asked him,” says Misti of their connection. “He can just walk around these big courses and win as long as I don’t mess him up. He hates to touch a rail!” Their routine each day, after ring work consists of a 3 or 4 mile hack down the road. “There is no substitute for the time we
Poeme with his dam, Jacinthe Du Maury, at the FENCES auction. Photo courtesy Cendrine Dutrait.
spend together, we have a true bond. When he sees my car pull in each day, he whinnies more and more insistently the
continued on next page
29
30
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine WINGS continued from page 29 shows; we hack for about 25 minutes until
plus a meaningful half-halt. I can’t wait to
That isn’t to say Mister is an easy ride.
he takes a deep breath and relaxes. Then
try it again.”
“Not everyone can get along with him, al-
he’s ready. Once on course, it is a very
Their long range plan includes the pos-
though he’s quiet enough for my daughter
technical 90 second ride. The way he kicks
sibility of attending the 2014 World Eques-
to ride. George Morris just loves him, I can’t
up his hind end over the jumps comes
trian Games in Normandy with syndication
get him off the horse!” Misti explains. She
naturally to him, but it also means I have
a probability to make that happen. Misti is
says that she’s always ridden the French
to keep my eyes up on the backside of the
also looking at a brother of Mister’s as a
horses with a lot of blood very well, which
jumps or else!”
new mount.
longer I take to get to him.”
may explain the almost telepathic communication she has with Mister. “We have a warm up routine at the
Misti says she’s still learning about her boy, having just found a new bridle that gives her a “connection with impulsion,
“This horse is my first Arabian, but I can tell you he won’t be my last!”
June/July 2013
by Adrien Cugnasse
DROM photo
About the Breeder - Elevage de Buissy
The Elevage de Buissy is settled in an historical Anglo-Arabian breeding re-
lion are 3 years old now and they already
de Buissy (that was one of the best young
have shown a lot of quality.
eventers of France at 6 and 7 years old in
gion, near Pompadour, in the south west
Jacinthe du Maury, from the famous
France before being injured), Olympe de
of France. It was created a decade ago by
dameline of Yasmine (mother or grand
Buissy CCI2* in France, Riesling de Buissy
Cendrine Dutrait and Jean Bernard Anizan.
mother of a lot of Grand Prix Showjumpers
CCI in the USA, and the amazing Looping
Without any doubt there is no breeding
in France), is really the foundation mare
de Buissy that is already competitive at
operation in Europe with such a collec-
of the stud. Her first foal Fusain du Defey
the CCI3* level and considered as one of
tion of quality Anglo-Arabian mares. The
(co-bred by Jean Bernard Anizan) was born
the most promising eventers in France for
success of this stud is the result of a very
and raised at the Elevage de Buissy. He is
the top level competitions. Fillies sold by
selective breeding process. The quality of
now the father of international eventers
the Elevage de Buissy to other breeders
pedigrees and especially damelines is the
and showjumpers after long sport career.
have already produced top jumpers like
key of any successful breeding, whether
Ridden by Michel Faumont he was really
Quenelle du Py (competitive at the 1m50
you breed thoroughbreds for flat races,
hard to beat at the 1m45/1m50 level and
level in France) or Rock’N Roll Animal (one
chasers, sports horses or dairy cattle…
won prizes up to the 1m55 Grand Prix Lev-
the best French horse at 5 and 6 years old
In addition the education, mating skills,
el. Jacinthe du Maury also produced two
in showjumping).
feeding and preparation of young horses
other international showjumpers: Poeme-
The Elevage de Buissy is without any
are very important and these elements are
damour de Buissy and Illusion d’Amour.
doubt one of the best Anglo-Arabian
also mastered by the Elevage de Buissy
Nid d’Amour de Buissy, the full brother
breeding operation in Europe. Competitive
crew.
of Poemedamour de Buissy, is at stud in
horse for showjumping and eventing are
Fleur d’Anis (born out of two parents
France as a stallion and his offspring is
born there. They give a lot of satisfaction
that won at the Nations Cup level) pro-
very promising. The Yasmine dam line also
to their owners, even at the amateur level.
duced Olala de Buissy (Cook du Midour
produced Printemps de Buissy (successful
A place where competitive and beautiful
AA x Laudanum TB x Arlequin AA) that won
at the 1m30 level in Spain) and Shamdala
Anglo-Arabians have found their best pro-
at the Nation Cup and 1m60 Grand Prix
de Buissy (winner at the 1m30 level in
moter.
level last year with the French Equestrian
France).
Team. He’s an amazing jumper, with a lot of
Out of other mares (all selected in the
blood, very careful and a fantastic canter.
best damelines of the French Stud-book),
The first offspring of this dark brown stal-
the Elevage de Buissy produced Quotkijet
31
32
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
PART 2
Excerpted from “It Only Took 50 Years,” by Dick Warren, a manuscript he plans to publish one day. Photos courtesy Warren Park Stud
I
n February 1982, an acquisition and breeding took place
The next year, we met Owen and Roz Wagstaff at the Crabbet
that would have profound effects on our breeding program
Convention in Denver along with Beatrice Paine from England. We
and prospects even thirty years later. And like everything
mentioned Aur Vanity and the three of them came soon after to
else that Sandy did, while there was a plan and a vision,
see him and the other horses. The Wagstaffs bought Aur Vanity
there was no guarantee of success. We bought Daurita (Daufin x
and he went to Australia where he won championships right and
Tamarita) in foal to Ibn Awad++/ from Ken and Laura West, and
left and for a time was considered the fifth winningest imported
bred Shawzi (Pepe x Miidj) to Ibn as well. At this time, Daurita was
Arabian in Australia. The sad part is that he died way too early, just
only the third horse Sandy had ever bought. Their stories will show
about like Aulrab.
how by mere chance but guided by intuitive knowledge and “gut
We also met David Ward in Denver. Sandy had heard of him
feeling,” results were achieved that probably have a lesser chance
through a magazine article and when he saw Aulrab, he wanted
of happening than winning the lottery.
him of course. This meeting started a great friendship and associa-
Aur Vanity
tion that has benefitted both of us over the years. Aulrab bred Scimitar Leniah, a Binis daughter out of Bint Lebnaniah of Pico out of the desert-bred mare Lebnaniah and on May 15, 1982, she delivered Aur Samari. Sandy’s sister, Donna and her husband Geoff Barton formed the Aur Samari Partnership to show and breed him and he sired 23 foals. His daughter, Aur Magic Ali, born in 1987, is one of our most important mares. After being sold and then rescued, Aur Samari was lovingly cared for by Marci de la Torre until his death. In 1983, El Shama was born out of Aurieha. (El Shama sired 22 foals; 18 purebred and 4 half Arabs.) That same year, Shawzi gave us Shawmai and Daurita presented Seranetta, all by Aulrab. Of course, both mares are gone, but their daughters Shawzina and Aur Alexandria respectively have produced some of the finest
June/July 2013 horses in our herd.
Aur Samari
Aurniaha (Aulrab x Scimitar Leniah) was also foaled in 1983. Her 1988 colt, Star Magic Jeriel, by Lewisfield Magic+/, sired 5 purebreds, including Aur Magic Mustafa and Dawn Jones-Low’s FCF Robin Goodfellow. Georgia Cheer, GF Silver Mystery’s owner, was born in England; the daughter of a Chinese father and English mother. She was aware of the Arabians that were bred there and had an appreciation for them. When she and Sandy began talking horses and Sandy told her what she knew of the bloodlines of her horses, Georgia got an idea. Why not a magazine about the horses that came from England bred by the Crabbet Stud? By this time, Sandy had met Michael Bowling and Carol Mulder, both of whom had explained about the lineage of the horses that she had acquired and bred. So it was, that in September 1983, the premier issue of Georgia Cheer’s Crabbet Influence came out. On the cover was a painting by a friend of ours and on the back cover was a great color ad featuring Aulrab along with two inside ads. One featured Aurik and Aulrab, and the other had a picture of GF Silver Mystery with her colt, Aur Vanity. (The magazine ran from 1983 to 1992 in printed form and Sandy has every issue. It has proven to be an excellent source of information for this story.) In 1983, an experiment that would be tried two more times with equally outstanding results, Sandy bred Aulrab to his full sister Aurieha. She had talked about the idea for some time based of the fact that both horses were outstanding in their conformation, athletic ability and disposition. And I said to her, “What have you got to lose? If you don’t like the result you can lock it in the attic.” But the result was very good when Auriel came on April 1, 1984. Sandy gave Auriel to her sister Donna who owned, with her husband Geoff, the 400-acre Saddle Rock Ranch in Sonoma. (Geoff had a knack for making money and I always hoped that some of that skill would rub off on me. I’m still waiting.) Then, out of nowhere, on Friday May 11, 1984 Sandy suffered a stroke. Rushed to the hospital, we found her to be fairly alert but with weakness on one side and having trouble speaking. Sandy worked hard at getting better and in about a year she had recovered. In 1984, GF Silver Mystery was again bred to Aulrab and a year later, Aur Mystic arrived. In the spring of 1988, Charles Justice from Hendersonville, North Carolina, came out of the blue down the drive to ask Sandy if she had any stallions to sell. Because we had Aulrab for breeding and Sandy needed to buy hay, she sold Mystic to him. In the 17 years he was in NC, he bred only two mares; the rest of the time he was a pet. The famous Aul Magic+/ arrived on May 9, 1985. He was a special colt; handsome and very gentle. Our daughter Debbie started working with him when he was a long two-year old and by the fall of ‘87 she was ready to get on him. She asked me to hold his
continued on next page
Aur Mystic
33
34
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine WARREN PARK continued from page 33 halter while she got on and we walked around the corral a couple of times. She said, “Let go.” I did and he was broke. He was too good to sell but, like Aur Mystic, we had Aulrab that was doing all the breeding. When Judy and Cody Thornton said they would like to lease (take care) of him we agreed and they had him as a family pet for the next ten years in Burley, Idaho. Not long after they returned him, Betsy Teeter and Sharon Byford-Ruth bought him and the rest is history. Aur Destiny (Aulrab x Daurita) foaled in 1985 and was bought by Mike and Pam Chapman, becoming a top competitive trail and endurance horse. There is a very dramatic picture of him and Pam charging up a rocky slope on one of her rides. Georgia Cheer bred GF Silver Mystery to Ben Rabba++/ that produced CR Silver Monarch in 1986. He sired 39 foals of which 31 were purebred. His show career netted 2 firsts, 7 seconds, and 6 Top 5s in 12 shows from May 1988 to July 1996. On June 2, 1986, Lewisfield Magic sired Amberr Magic out of the Ab Salute daughter Ferriffa Farwa for David Ward. In 2002, her daughter WW Aur Mystique Ambeer by Aur Mystique was born and would later be the first mare we ever lost to a foaling accident. It should be noted that in her entire career Sandy has only lost one other foal at birth. Aur Minx by Aulrab came along in 1987 out of Shawzi. Her
Aul Magic and Sandy
greatest contribution was Aur Magic Mustafa by Star Magic Jeriel that in 15 shows in two years won: 1 championship, 10 firsts, 14 seconds, and 20 top 5s. Aleeiaha came along on June 18, 1987, by Lewisfield Magic+/ out of Aurieha. She produced two notable fillies: Aulieraba and WW Miss Ga’zi. Aurik (Aurab x Naulana) sired 22 foals, one of which has become our most treasured mare, Shawzina, foaled in 1988 out of Shawmai. She is a beautiful bay mare that David and Shirley Henderson of OTB Arabians bought in 1994. Her son, the gelding Aupollo, was foaled in March 2000 by OTB Auryan++/ (Aulrab x Basktiana). He performed in 17 shows from April 2002 to October 2009 and won 3 championships, 5 first places, and 16 Top 5s. In May 2005, Auryans Legacy, a full brother of Aupollo, was born. In 15 shows, Auryans Legacy won two championships, 2 firsts, and
Aur Destiny
Shawzina
June/July 2013
GA Topaz
Mystic Aulrab
Rieba 14 Top 5s.
to send Aulrab, GA Topaz (Galan x Aurtama by Aurab) and some
In May 1989, Aur Aurelia by Aulrab was foaled. She was the
selected mares to Cal Poly in a group that was called the Heritage
second result of the full brother/sister cross that had worked so
Herd to try to restore some of the original Kellogg bloodlines that
well the first time. She produced four foals and one, Aur Midnight
had been diluted through the years. What seemed a good idea
Magic by Aur Mystic was given to Otto Hackel.
didn’t work out all too well.
One of my favorite mares is Rieba, born May 13, 1990. She
First of all, Topaz, a very sensitive stallion, fretted at being
is the third member of the select brother/sister breeding project.
away from home so much that he was brought home to our place
She is one of those horses that is always “in your pocket.” Plus she
where he thrived and remains today. It became apparent shortly
has a special attitude. She produced two foals for us: Aurieba by
that Aulrab was not feeling so well and at first shipping fever or
Argonaut, and Mystic Legacy. Dawn Jones-Low bought her in 2005
the like was suspected. In an early attempt to breed him, he was
and before her death in 2012, she had given Dawn two great foals;
unable to perform. An examination was done, and a stomach tu-
FCF Robin Goodfellow by Star Magic Jerial (Lewisfield Magic+/ x
mor was found. Normally, once a horse is at the college’s stables
Aurniaha) and FCF As You Wish by AAA Legion of the Seas, a rising
they stay there forever., but in Aulrab’s case, he was allowed to
dressage star.
come home where he died a short time later. He is buried here
Another very nice mare, Aur So Vain, came along on March 27,
along with his full sister Aurieha.
1991 by Aulrab out of GF Silver Mystery; a full sister to Aur Vanity,
You don’t need to be told how it crushed Sandy. I found out
Aur Mystic, CR Silver Monarch, WP Bright Magic, and Aur Mystique.
much later that David thought about giving up the horses until
Aur Mystic and Aur Mystique have been responsible for much of
Sandy talked him out of it. Well, Aulrab was that kind of horse.
the success of our breeding program.
In 1998, Sandy bred Aur Mystique, a gray, to Aurieha and got a
While being treated for loss of weight due to a thyroid issue
colt the next year that was almost a mirror image of Aulrab. Virtu-
just before Christmas of 1994, we got the dreaded news that
ally the same blaze face, the socks and leg runs but on the other
Sandy had leukemia.
side, and little white spots here and there. Sandy thought Aulrab
For the next year or so Sandy went into a slump and pretty
had been reincarnated and named him Mystic Aulrab. But I think
much climbed into a hole and stayed there. We wondered if we
that in the back of her mind she knew what was going to happen.
could continue keeping the horses. At the time, some of Sandy’s
A South African named Johan Theron was looking for a stud for
friends came forward to help out. David Ward finally got his dream
his Crabbet bred mares and he eventually flew over, saw Mystic
to come true when Aulrab was sent to his ranch in British Colum-
Aulrab and bought him.
bia in the Okanagan Valley. Marci de la Torre took a mare or two and Eva Marie Casparite took several mares as well.
Around this same time, a freak accident trying to free a cast mare during a storm landed Sandy in the hospital once again, this
By 1998, Sandy started to feel better and some of the mares
time with a broken neck. For six months she had to wear a halo,
came home. Aulrab stayed at David’s and a scheme was hatched
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine WARREN PARK continued from page 35
away from the other horses and feed him up. Soon enough he was
the device that secures the head in place to keep it from moving. It rests on the shoulders and has four screws that anchor into the head at forehead level. Doctors were amazed Sandy wasn’t para-
fit and started breeding some mares. He was bred to two mares in
Aur Mystic Diamond
lyzed. After Aulrab died, Sandy had sent Aur Mystique to David. Mystique was always a little harder to handle and with her physical
Aur Mystique
2003 and the next year we got two nice colts; Aur Mystic Diamond (out of Aur Aurieana) and Aur Mystic Heir (out of Aur Alexandria). All told, he has sired 22 purebreds. Around this time Sandy got a call from a man named Ed Dodd, who explained that he had been directed to us by a friend of ours when Ed told the lady what kind of horse he was looking for. Ed was in his 30’s and was running an online motorcycle supply busilimitations she felt David could do a better with him, which he has.
ness. He had trained Arabs in his earlier years but had never found
One day in 2002, we were headed into town when Sandy said, “I
any that suited him. Ed was immediately taken with the horses
wish I had never sold Aur Mystic.” I knew instantly what she was
here and was impressed with their quality and athletic ability. He
talking about.
knew a little about Crabbet/Kellogg bloodlines and appreciated
In 2003, Sandy called David to cry on his shoulder about Aur Mystic, “I want my chestnut stallion back.” Two weeks later David called to tell her that he had bought him back. It was easy enough
Sandy’s efforts to keep her program authentic. Ed ended up buying Aul Vanity (Aul Magic x Aur Alexandria). In early 2007, Shirley Henderson called to ask if we knew anyone who might be interested in buying Shawzina. She would be willing to take 500 bucks for her. “Holy cow, send her up as quick as you can,” screamed Sandy. So it was that Shawzina was sent to
Aur Jesse James
Aur Mystic to find the owner and when David called him the guy said “You
Ed Dodd’s place in San Juan Bautista and bred to the fantastic Aul
should have called me sooner, I gave him to my neighbor,” but
Vanity, resulting in the bay colt, Aur Jesse James. Shawzina later
David managed to track him down.
produced Aur Naulana by Aur Mystic.
Mystic got to David’s place in British Columbia a couple of
Sandy was due to start chemotherapy due to an enlarged
weeks later. He had never been near other horses and he was put
spleen and lymph nodes in January 2009, and we weren’t sure
into a paddock next to the mare field where he immediately start-
how it was going to come out. David Ward, Johan Theron, Otto
ed pacing the fence. It didn’t take him long to drop a lot of weight,
Hackle and Ed Dodd all arrived to show support. David and Johan
so David sent him to us where we could put him in a paddock
stayed for a week and Otto and Ed came for the day.
June/July 2013
Aur Mystic Alexander Later, Sandy started having trouble breathing. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and it was discovered that part of her
medicine to help control it and continues to use oxygen 24/7. I call her my Timex Girl - she takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.
right lung was so infected that it was removed. We were told later
We have had a great run. For most of the time we simply stayed
that there was a three-day period when it was questionable if she
here in Sanger and quietly bred Arabians on a shoestring budget.
would recover. She did, of course, but her days of handling studs
Once in a while something would sell and in some cases the horse
and so forth were over.
would excel. Fortunately, Ed Dodd came along and decided that
We haven’t tried all that hard to sell any horses with the econ-
Sandy’s horses were the answer to his dream and is now a partner
omy the way it is and also at this point most of them are too valu-
who is in a position to promote these fine animals and to that
able as breeding stock. Ed’s 40-acre ranch at San Juan Bautista
end is having four stallions: Aul Vanity, Mystic Diamond, Aur Jesse
is the home for two stallions, a gelding riding horse and seven
James (soon to be a gelding), and Aur Mystic Alexander trained
mares. At our place we have nine stallions, seven mares or fillies,
with more to follow.
and one gelding. David Ward keeps two more of our stallions and two mares at his place as well as his own forty plus herd. Now at ten years old, Vanity is an incredible colt with massive
Thanks to Ed setting us up with a Reverse Mortgage company, the last five or six years we have been able to make a lot of improvement here and keep the horses going as well.
legs and an unbelievable trot. His first foal, Aul Jesse James, is a
This is an exciting time for Sandy. It is the realization of a
coming five-year-old 16 hand bay. He also sired a yearling filly out
dream that started almost fifty years ago. With Ed’s involvement, it
of our Aur Samari daughter, Aur Magic Ali.
will continue for at least another fifty years.
Today, Sandy is holding her own. She suffers from COPD, takes
37
38
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
I let my horses shape their destiny, rather than paint them into a corner.
Interview with
Mark Schuerman
Interview and photos by Sherry Conrads
I met Mark Schuerman when I brought my Arabian gelding, Rawhide V, to him for training. I asked Mark to get Rawhide V trained and experienced, so that I could safely ride him on trails. Then I left the country for 6 weeks … confident that Rawhide V was in good hands. Upon my return, I not only had the beginnings of a good trail horse, I also learned from Mark that I had a very good dressage prospect. Three years later, Rawhide V +/ is my trail horse and dressage performance horse extraordinaire. I hope the following interview will explain why Mark is able to train happy horses that excel in several disparate disciplines. Sherry: Why do you do so many different things with your horses.
Mark riding Di Shambolea across the finish line of the Tevis 100 mile endurance ride.
Mark: I let my horses shape their destiny, rather than paint them into a corner. I keep options opens so they can do what they want to do. Sherry: Why did you come to be a trainer of Sport Horses? Mark: I like to compete in Sport Horse, because those events are judged on an international standard … the same standard used in open venues for all breeds. Sport Horse judges use the same criteria and score the same as open shows all over the world. It’s a tough field out there, so I’m even more excited when our Arabs win.
June/July 2013
Mark: To enjoy themselves and for them to feel like their dollars are well spent. Sherry:
Besides showing, what other
horse related activities do you participate in with your clients? Mark: Well, we do horse camping, trail riding and a lot of endurance conditioning. I like to do a variety of activities, because I enjoy it and because it keeps both the horses and the riders having fun and maintaining a fresh attitude. Ashley Young and Mark with Surreal Bey, Ellexus Bey+/ and Rawhide V+/ at Pacific Slopes Regional Show. Sherry: How long have you been training
blood that has helped me earn a bronze
Sport Horses?
medal from USDF. The rest of my barn is all Arabians.
Mark: In the 1970’s I was training Sport Horses and competing in Sport Horse
Sherry: Why do you like to train Arabi-
events before they were called Sport
ans?
Horses. Mark: I never get tired of looking at them, Sherry: What shows do you and your cli-
and they are an athletic and intelligent
ents participate in?
breed.
Mark: AHA Class A, AHA Regionals, Pacific
Sherry: What is your proudest Sport Horse
Slope Championships, USDF Open Shows
show accomplishment?
and Sport Horse Nationals. Mark: Every time one of my students wins Sherry: Besides Sport Horses, what other
a blue ribbon. The smiles on my client’s
disciplines do you and your clients partici-
faces are my proudest moments.
pate in? Sherry: Tell me about your clients. Mark: We do a lot of endurance training and competitions, including AERC distance
Mark: Well, my students range from be-
rides, FEI endurance rides, Tevis Cup and
ginners to those winning National Cham-
Open Dressage. I finished the 2012 Tevis
pionships. I also have several clients who
Cup in 11th place and several of my cli-
are being reintroduced to riding after a
ents have also completed the Tevis.
long time off. I don’t limit myself to upper level riders, because we all have to start
Sherry: Do you train other breeds, other
somewhere.
than Arabians? Sherry: What is your most important goal Mark: Yes, currently I’m training a warm
for your students?
Sherry: What are some of your goals for 2013? Mark: Win it all … or go down swinging. Mark trains out of Lakeside Equestrian Center in Loomis, California and can be contacted at msshowhorses@yahoo.com
39
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Life With
MCFull Photo
40
Horse Shopping and Finding the ONE
A
by Karin Foley
bout a year ago, after a break of
rideable age. I thought about the geldings
good reason. The available horses were
several years, my husband Wil-
and trying to persuade him to give one
spread over a vast area, and the territory
lis announced that he wanted
of them a go. Then I remembered a story
was relatively unsafe. Davenport and his
to start riding again. Willis and I breed
Willis had told me years ago about why he
entourage selected Arabian mares to carry
Arab hybrids for eventing, dressage and
loved Arab mares so much and decided to
them to the horses for sale. Mares are saf-
jumpers under the Solar Hill Sport Horse
leave it alone. One thing you learn in mar-
er as they are built to carry weight, do not
banner so we had just about every com-
riage is sometimes you just have to leave
call out to other horses as stallions do, and
bination of Arab bred on the farm. At the
things alone.
consequently were the preferred horses
time Willis made his announcement we
Willis’ story was this, “Homer Daven-
had at least two perfectly lovely well un-
port was an extremely influential and pow-
Mares used by Davenport were typical-
der saddle Anglo Arab geldings in the field
erful American political cartoonist at the
ly in the 800 lb. weight category, and were
plus my personal saint of an Arab-Welsh
turn of last century. He became wealthy
expected to carry one- third of their body
cross. Each was available for Willis to ride.
due to the demand of his political work,
weight representing rider, tack, food, gold/
He wanted an Arab mare.
and he saw his first Arabian horses at the
silver, guns and ammunition. Often they
Chicago World’s Fair. He quickly planned
had to reliably cover 300+ miles in four to
an expedition to the Saudi Peninsula re-
five days. Davenport did not initiate this
gion to buy horses.
ordeal of the percentage of horse-carried
I was mostly thrilled by Willis’ announcement.
What girl doesn’t want a
sweetie that rides? It just would have been so much e-a-s-i-e-r if he had been willing
In those days, the nomadic Bedouins
to ride a horse we already had. The thing
and Sheiks would not accept any currency
is we did not have a purebred mare of
other than gold and silver, probably for
for battle.
weight; the nomads had been doing it for centuries. So, in my simplistic way, what worked
June/July 2013 for them works for me. I have always loved
what I would call a mid-priced horse - an
er to 2x Canadian National Champion,”
the mares.“
odd price range for buyers and sellers. We
“Sweepstakes nominated 8 year old,” and
Willis is a distance rider at heart. That
wanted certain things and we were willing
“Scottsdale TT by National Champion.” Se-
works because any kind of riding I do re-
to pay for them. We were not willing to
riously, for an endurance horse?
quires my horse to be super fit. There is a
pay for things that were irrelevant to us
Under discipline one mare’s listing
nothing better in a hacking buddy than the
This might be a good time to mention
said, “English, Trail, Endurance, Dressage,
ability to go the distance. Willis’ idea of a
that Willis is the encyclopedia of Arabian
Western, Hunter, Working Western, Brood-
pleasant stroll is a swift 25 miler.
pedigrees. I have yet to stump him when I
mare.” Since several of those are contradic-
I needed to find Willis an Arabian
mention a stallion or a mare for that mat-
tory, I passed. Most of THOSE horses were
mare of a certain age, started under sad-
ter. He always knows all about the horse.
priced for the headlines, not for hubby.
dle, with an agreeable disposition, a super
Moreover, he can tell you about the grand-
I moved onto dressage and driving cat-
work ethic, hopefully a horse that had not
parents or great grandparents in Russia,
egories. Dressage for a horse designed to
experienced too much emotional trauma
Poland, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia,
use itself well. Driving you may ask… have
that required rehabbing, sound without
Argentina, or Spain. He knows who was ex-
you ever seen what a combined driving
any previous injuries, and good feet. Wil-
ported or imported, when and to or from
horse does? They are super athletes. The
lis cares about pretty. Me, I think you don’t
where. He knows the chain of ownership
ones on AHA’s website were of the fine
ride the head. I added pretty to the list.
for horse after horse. He also knows all
harness type and seemed to be wilting
One thing I know from selling so many
the back stories so playing “Stump Willis”
flowers by comparison. We passed. The
horses through the years is that what
is never any fun. He had some definite
listings went pretty much the same way
people often say they want is not what
ideas about the heritage of the mare we
as the endurance horse listings includ-
they end up bringing home. Many a time
selected.
ing the headlines with nothing to do with
a buyer has come by insisting that they
We decided to narrow our search by
dressage or driving. There were a few that
wanted a six year old bay and ended up
country of origin. We breed horses with
fit but price or geography excluded them
leaving with a ten year old buckskin be-
primarily Crabbet and Spanish Arab blood-
from consideration.
cause horse selection often has an unpre-
lines. So we know their capabilities. Willis
We moved on to Dreamhorse, Horse-
dictable, emotional component. There is
added Polish to the list because as he says,
ville, Horseclicks, Equine Hits and includ-
often something intangible to the exact
“Polish stallions were not used for breed-
ed a few regional for sale publications
right fit. Since I was shopping for a horse
ing unless they were winners at the track.
and equine websites. We asked friends
for someone else I vowed to make a list
They have to be athletes to get a breeding
for referrals. Anyone who has ever done
and stick to it.
license, “ and we’re looking for an athlete.
it knows it is dangerous to post anywhere
Willis’ mare had to be comfortable to
So the list of requirements grew to
that you are shopping for a horse. The re-
ride and built to stay sound. She needed
include an athlete with a good brain that
sponses are likely to be thinly related to
good bone and decent joints since riding
was pretty AND of Crabbet, Spanish or
the request and often snips or quips will
out in the open sometimes requires scal-
Polish descent. It did not seem like too
ensue about your choices as a buyer. It is
ing stone riddled mountains, climbing
much to ask.
not for those without some emotional for-
over rocks, and wading through water. She
If you think that our list of “must haves”
would have to be capable of stepping up
would be easy to find then you have not
A few months ago I asked my friends
underneath herself and popping over small
spent much time reading the for sale ads.
on the Arabian Sport Horse Alliance what
logs, using herself properly so she could
There is not a for sale ad that reads, “Ath-
they looked for in a prospect for a particu-
go the distance sound and she had to be
letic, pretty horse with good brain of Crab-
lar discipline. Regardless of each person’s
comfortable to ride. This mare, whoever
bet, Spanish or Polish descent”. The real
discipline their overwhelming response
she was, was going to have to be a horse
ads require translation.
was that they wanted a horse with a good
I could ride in between our “couple rides”
titude.
I started the search on the Arabian
mind. Mind first, no surprise! Made for
I might want to take her
Horse Association website purebreds for
the job at hand ran a close second. Most
hill topping with the hunt or ride a lower
sale section and selected “endurance” as
people said they would consider a horse
level dressage test with her for fun. I was
the first category. While there were horses
with a past not related to their discipline
not looking for an upper level prospect. I
whose tagline read clearly for distance rid-
of choice.
was looking for a great all around horse.
ing it appears that the advertisers tend to
Let’s face it, no one horse can be all
Simply put we were looking for an athlete
check every box possible in order to get
things to all people. Some horses, while
with an intact brain who was also pretty.
the most number of views. I had to sort
perfectly suitable for one job, are simply
These requirements made our target horse
through ads along the lines of “Half broth-
to keep her fit.
continued on next page
41
42
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine Thoroughbred does not always a Kentucky
LIFE continued from page 41
Derby runner make. The great breeders look for “heart.” Arabian horses are the same. There is nothing more pleasant to ride than a willing, happy, brave Arab because the best ones have heart. The sport horse disciplines require a certain amount of bravery, a willing spirit…..the horse has to want to do the job. We decided to skip the ads that tried to be all things to all people and concentrated on the ones that talked about the mares mind, athleticism and descent. After all, we were NOT looking for a “show horse” we were looking for an athlete….. BIG difference. We looked at video after video of horses bred to be one thing then advertised as being suitable for “Sport Horse” as if “Sport Horse” was a generic horse. I even considered the ones claiming that the horse was both a serious hunter AND a dressage prospect because you just never know. Not one of those horses it turned out was suitable for any of the sport horse disciplines. I have burned the one video of a horse whose advertisement declared her to be an “FEI dressage prospect” when she was exactly everything contrary to a dressage horse. It is a serious misconception that because a horse has pretty movement that it has dressage potential let alone the highest level of potential.
not built to do all jobs. We can debate
now through the years when a potential
The whole process was exasperating.
what good basic conformation includes
buyer has come to see the advanced pros-
While I am not really sure why someone
and we would probably agree on the ba-
pect we had for sale when what they really
chooses, for example, to try and sell a horse
sics. I am not talking about that. I am talk-
needed was the mid level packer. To ride
clearly bred to do, say, western pleasure as
ing about being built for the job at hand.
a true upper level dressage horse, for ex-
a “Sport Horse,” I have my guesses and they
At minimum an equine athlete has to have
ample, the rider needs a good amount of
are not exactly complimentary to those of
is a good amount of bone and large joints
ability to be able to sit the giant trot. My
us serious about our sport.
plus the right angles for the job they are
first experience with a true FEI level trot
think badly of people who make it obvious
expected to do. The angles on a hunter
left me hanging on to the barn rafters for
that they think so little of me. My mother
and an eventer are different as are the
dear life. It is not an uncomfortable trot it
always told me that you cannot respond to
hind legs…or at least they ought to be.
is very smooth and fluid. It is just vertically
rudeness with rudeness or a demeaning
Each discipline puts its own unique re-
huge. It is not an experience for the unpre-
attitude with a demeaning attitude. There
quirement on a horse’s body. Many adver-
pared.
are few humans with better manners than
I try not to
tisers offering Arabian horses for sale do
The other thing any horse for sport has
not seem to get that. Or maybe the pool
to have is heart. Steeplechase racing runs
of buyers has diminished to the point that
in my blood. One thing you learn about
The other thing we saw over and over
sellers ignore the rules.
steeplechase horses is that you cannot
again on the videos were horses being
A horse also needs to be suitable for
force the horse to do it. The great ones love
hand ridden, horses being ridden so tight
the rider. There have been many times
it. This explains why even the best bred
that their backs were unable to move free-
my mother. I try to remember her words in my dealings with horse people.
June/July 2013 ly, horses in pain being ridden by oblivious
of these I have found) is that the original
riders, saddles sitting on the horses shoul-
breeder has serious money tied up in just
ders, horses being ridden by riders with no
getting a horse like our girl on the ground.
apparent balance, ill fitting saddles, harsh
They are married to the idea of recouping
bits, horses hating to work, horses tired of
their investment. No buyer can afford to
it all. Pass, pass, pass! Ever wonder where
be insulting if they expect to bring a horse
a hunter bump comes from? I can send
home.
you the links to the videos showing how it happens.
I was surprised how many breeders use outside stallions where the stud fee
Eventually, we settled on a sweet,
alone exceeds the value of the horse pro-
pretty bay mare; an eventing type of Polish
duced. You add vet cost, mare care, bring-
descent. She was one of the first horses
ing the horse up until it can be started un-
I looked at and I was instantly smitten by
der saddle and then in many cases there
her. It took me months to decide to bring
are also trainer’s fees. The number gets
her home because I could not get over her
pretty large pretty quickly and still a horse
sire. I kept thinking about her and compar-
is only worth what it is capable of doing
ing her to every prospect I saw. I under-
or the value to the person that can utilize
stand that you ride the horse in front of
the horse’s talents. Or as Willis has said
you. But it is nice to know that if a riding
for years a horse is worth what someone is
mare were to have a career ending occur-
willing to pay for it.
rence that it would be possible to breed
Our girl had been for sale since she
her. Eventually, I made the observation
was a weanling with no takers. She is now
that she defied her pedigree and I made a
six. While lovely she was not worth what
deal with myself. I simply would not breed
the breeder had tied up in her. For our
her since those traits I found undesirable
purposes she was a PROSPECT that pre-
would always be a part of her. Our girl was
sented some risk and we were not will-
bred to be something other than the little
ing to pay for a show horse pedigree that
eventer that popped out. She does have
was of no value to us. I assume that if the
the heart of an Arab race horse and a “can
breeder had been able to sell our girl into
do” nature. I am sure she got those traits
a show horse family that would have been
from her Polish ancestors.
concluded long before we came along.
Probably one of the toughest things in
A variety of experiences is a good thing
this situation (and there are many, many
in a sport horse prospect. Variety and cross
...a horse is only worth what it is capable of doing or the value to the person that can utilize the horse’s talents.
training are highly desirable when considering any young horse. It is a big plus if a horse has been out some to local shows or similar for experience …totally different concept from a “show” horse. While the horse needs to have certain experiences to make them safe and fun, that experience can be gleaned at the local 4-H show, at a fox hunt’s hunter pace, or in your own backyard pond. I like schooling some on baby cross country courses with young horses because they get to experience a good variety of water, jumps, terrain, etc. I am a big fan of ponying a young horse to
Willig Willig Photo
let them see the world. A purchaser cannot pay for all the class A shows the horse was taken to as a baby to be shown on the line when it adds no
continued on page 93
43
New A Motivation I (AO Breeze x Marvfelous)
Good Vybrations RLC (BA Vyagra Bey x Allie Bint Kedar) Dafina Mazal (Masada Mazal x Majarres Halan Fujai)
Riviera (Rosenthal x Maraekar)
Colt (CJ Fflash x Daughter of Legends)
Arrivals!
Filly (Rubignon x WF Khemilla)
Rivers Run I (TTT Little Dan x Three T Big E)
James Bonne ASA (Bonne Vivant x MWF Algerina)
Filly (Piaff x Virag)
46
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
The Sport Horse Legacy of Brusally Ranch by Tobi Lopez Taylor
This article is adapted from a chapter in the new book, The Polish and Russian Arabians of Ed Tweed’s Brusally Ranch (Mare’s Nest Books, 2013)
K
nown today as a pioneering breed-
Brusally, after their son Bruce and daughter
er and one of the founders of the
Sally, and Ed set about designing a house,
Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, Ed-
horse stable, and cattle barn. The Tweeds
win J. “Ed” Tweed was born in 1893 and
purchased some riding horses, and Ed be-
grew up in Chicago, where he trained as
gan breeding cattle and pigs.
an architect at the Lewis Institute. In 1917,
Although Tweed had heard about Ara-
he married Ruth Phillips. By the 1920s, he
bian horses, he came into contact with his
was a partner in a Kansas City, Missouri,
first purebred Arabians during a 1940 visit
architectural firm specializing in bank de-
to the Scottsdale farm of early Arizona
sign and engineering.
breeder Merle Cheney. Tweed, a lifelong
Unfortunately, the need for new bank
horse fancier, saw something special in
buildings evaporated during the Great
these animals. His granddaughter Shelley
Depression, and Tweed moved his fam-
Groom Trevor recalled, “My grandfather
ily to Independence, Missouri, where they
was very aesthetically minded, which is
rented a portion of a bank that Tweed had
what attracted him to Arabians. He also
designed and converted it into a cafe. In
liked the creative aspect of breeding —
1935, the Tweeds returned to Chicago, so
cattle, pigs, and horses — and he had the
that Ed could take over his father’s falter-
finances to do it.”
ing business. The family’s fortunes im-
Ed “semi-retired” in 1949, and the
proved along with those of the company,
Tweeds moved to Scottsdale. He and Ruth
enabling Ed and Ruth to buy part of a farm
bought a house with acreage on Cheney
belonging to meatpacker Gustav Swift in
Road, and purchased two horses bred by
Lake Forest, Illinois. They named the farm
Cheney, the first of hundreds of Arabians
SCRABBLE A grandson of Brusally’s Comet daughter, *Salinaa, Scrabble+// (Monogramm x *Saletra), ridden by Mary Claire Massey, has twelve National titles in dressage, including 2007 U.S. National Champion Grand Prix. Photo courtesy of Kathy Massey.
...Classic beauty, good size, correct conformation and athletic ability must be combined to create our idea of the perfect Arabian.
June/July 2013
they would buy, breed, and sell over the
quality Arabians were to be had in Po-
years. Later that year, the Tweeds bought
land. The first Polish Arabians to arrive in
That month, Tweed sent Brusally’s
a quarter section of Scottsdale desert, and
Scottsdale, imported by Robert L. Aste in
trainer Steve Spalding and manager Dean
Ed drew up plans for a 160-acre ranch,
1961, piqued the interest of local breed-
Cantrell on a buying trip to England, Hol-
also to be called Brusally. Once the ranch
ers. In late 1962, Tweed’s friendly rival
land, and Poland. On their first stop, the
was built, Tweed went about designing an
Dr. Eugene LaCroix, of Lasma Arabian
pair met English breeders Musgrave Clark,
Arabian horse breeding program. First, he
Stud, breeder Dr. Howard Kale, and their
Margaret Evans, and Patricia Lindsay.
acquired well-bred broodmares from es-
two sons traveled to Poland to purchase
Having received a crash course in Polish
tablished breeders, and then he purchased
horses. Prior to the arrival of the Lasma
Arabian breeding from Lindsay, Spalding
a high-quality stallion, Skorage (Gaysar x
importation, Tweed saw the Polish import
and Cantrell proceeded to visit various
Rageyma), bred by Daniel C. Gainey, owner
*Muzulmanin++, the 1963 Scottsdale
Polish state-run stud farms. They selected
of the well-known stallions Ferzon and
show’s champion stallion. The horse was
two stallions and nine mares before re-
Gai Parada. Although Skorage was already
taller and more athletic than contempo-
turning to England, where they continued
a halter champion when Ed bought him,
rary American-bred Arabians, and he made
shopping for horses. Cantrell eventually
Skorage kept up a rigorous show schedule,
a positive impression on Tweed.
went back to the United States, leaving
racking up a total of 112 blue ribbons and
ed from Poland would arrive by airplane.
In March 1963, the Polish horses cho-
Spalding in England to close the deal on
sen by LaCroix and Kale arrived in Scotts-
the Polish horses. Spalding also used the
In 1954, Tweed contacted the roughly
dale. The shipment included the famous
time to see some Russian-bred horses.
twenty Arabian owners and breeders in the
stallions *Bask++ and *Naborr (the latter
Impressed by their high quality, Spalding
state, and together they formed the Ara-
imported for Anne McCormick), as well as
purchased a Russian stallion, *Park, and ar-
bian Horse Association of Arizona (AHAA),
several broodmares. The horses had en-
ranged to buy two Russian mares, sight un-
with Tweed as the club’s first president.
dured a grueling forty-four-day sea jour-
seen, based on their excellent pedigrees,
That year, the AHAA held an exhibition of
ney, during which most of them had lost
from horse importer/exporter and art col-
Arabians at the Wrigley family–owned Ari-
a great deal of weight. One mare aborted
lector Peter Provatoroff.
zona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.
her foal, and then died. Tweed decided
At this point, Tweed was committed
then and there that any horses he import-
continued on next page
twenty-two championships.
The AHAA’s first All-Arabian Horse Show, sponsored by the Tweeds, Fowler and Anne McCormick, and Philip and Helen Wrigley, was held in Phoenix, again at the Arizona Biltmore, in February 1955. Tweed served as the master of ceremonies. Following a hiatus in 1956, in 1957 the show was held for the first time in Scottsdale, at the McCormicks’ Paradise Park. For many years, the McCormicks hosted a pre-show barbecue for exhibitors, with the Tweeds providing a post-show luncheon. Tweed, meanwhile, was breeding Skorage to his band of broodmares. Skorage’s get made their entrance on the national stage in 1961, when his daughter Skorata was named a U.S. Top Ten Mare and his son Pulque++ was named a U.S. Top Ten Stallion. Tweed began searching for better mares to breed to Skorage and new stallions to breed to Skorage’s daughters. In the early 1960s, word spread among the Arabian-breeding community that high-
Skorage
The champion stallion Skorage (Gaysar x Rageyma) was the horse who put Brusally on the map. He is shown here with Ed Tweed (center) and his rider, Earl Craig. Photo courtesy of Shelley Groom Trevor.
47
48
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Brusally Orin+ (*Orzel++ x *Algorina), bred by Ed Tweed, ridden by Joyce Thomas. Winner of seven National titles in the hunter over fences division in the 1980s. Photo by Wright
A descendant of Brusally’s Comet son, *Centaur, Royalzon+/ (Hagazon x Royal Expectation), ridden by Tamara Cook, was 1996 Canadian National Champion Jumper and 2004 U.S. Top Ten Jumper. Photo courtesy of Tamara Cook.
Royalzon
Photos courtesy Shelley
Brusally Orzetyn (*Orzel++ x *Gontyna), bred by Ed Tweed, ridden by Shelley Groom Trevor. Shown here competing at a horse trial in Flagstaff, Arizona, in the early 1980s.
y Groom Trevor
June/July 2013
Brusally Orzetyn (*Orzel++ x *Gontyna), bred by Ed Tweed, ridden by Shelley Groom Trevor. This stallion won the title of 1980 U.S. National Champion Third Level Dressage, and went on to compete successfully at the Prix St. George level. Photo by S. Gail Miller.
Brusally Gwiousa (*Gwiazdor x Arrousa), bred by Ed Tweed and ridden here by Janet Blakely in about 1972, was also a Western Pleasure champion and Scottsdale Top Five Novice Cutting. continued on next page
49
50
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine BRUSALLY continued from page 49 to buying eleven Polish horses and three
and *Centaur (Comet x *Sabaa), imported
and English-bred horses, Spalding felt that
by Frisco Mari.
chances were good that the registry would
Russian horses. Upon learning that the air-
Brusally Ranch was entering its most
accept Tweed’s Russian purchases as well.
plane he had chartered in Poland would
successful phase. The Polish imports *Cz-
He and Tweed were well aware that the re-
hold fourteen head, Tweed directed Spald-
ester++, *Gwiazdor, and *Faraon++ all
cently imported *Naborr had been born in
ing to return to that country and buy three
earned U.S. and/or Canadian Top Ten Stal-
Russia and was of Russian parentage, even
more horses. The entire Polish contingent
lion awards, and *Centaur was named a
though he had been shipped from Poland.
was shipped to the United States in late
U.S. Top Five Novice and Open Cutting
Furthermore, whereas *Naborr had been
May, and the three Russian horses arrived,
Horse. Tweed’s herd sire, Skorage, was
graded “I” by Russian officials, Tweed’s
by ship, the following month. The fourteen
bred to some of the Polish mares with
stallion *Park had been rated even higher,
Polish imports were: *Abhazja (Omar II x
good results; Skorage daughters were later
and given the grade of “Elite.”
Arfa), carrying the filly *Brusally Czortja
bred to the Polish stallions with even bet-
(by Czort);
ter results.
*Algorina (Ali Said x Alga);
However,
AHRA
president
Daniel
Gainey, from whom Tweed had purchased
*Almeriaa (originally Almeria) (Faher x Am-
Along with its successes in the show
the stallion Skorage a decade earlier,
bara); *Basta (Comet x Bajdara); *Chlosta
ring, Brusally Ranch also experienced
disagreed with this line of reasoning. In
(Faher x *Carissima); *Czester++ (Comet x
some hard times. *Almeriaa, one of the
March 1966, he informed Tweed that “the
Cerekiew); *Daszenka (Trypolis x Daszma);
1963 imports, broke her leg and was eu-
American Registry has come to accept the
*Genua (Grand x Gwara); *Gontyna (Dok-
thanized soon after arriving in this coun-
records and papers of the English and
tryner x Gazella), carrying the colt *Brana-
try. *Gwiazdor, a full brother to the well-
Polish Registries at face value, just as they
bar++ (by Branibor); *Gwiazdor (*Naborr x
known stallions *Gwalior++ and Grandorr,
accept ours. . . . It is quite possible for the
*Gwadiana); *Miroluba (Faher x Mira); *Na-
died young, after siring only a handful of
English or the Poles to accept horses from
wojka (Wielki Szlem x Najada), carrying the
foals. But Tweed’s worst, longest-lasting
Russia if they wish. We don’t accept them.”
colt *Brusally Chazan (by Chazar); *Rifata
headache was caused by the Russian Ara-
Apparently, Tweed had brought up the case
(Faher x Rasima); and *Warna (*Naborr x
bians that Spalding had acquired in 1963
of *Naborr, to no avail. “*Naborr was in the
Wielka Zorza).
from Provatoroff.
Polish Registry,” Gainey explained. “He
The three Russian imports were: *Na-
The Russian Arabian breeding program
passed inspection and was accepted for
Nomenklatura);
at the time was based on Polish horses
American registration. Your three horses in
*Palmira (Arax x Provincja); and *Park
seized during World War II and on Eng-
question were not owned by Poles or Eng-
(Knippel x Ptashka). Tweed soon augment-
lish horses bought from Crabbet Stud.
lishmen, nor were they in either Registry,
ed his first “Polish invasion” by purchasing
Because the Arabian Horse Registry of
and thus they are not subject to registra-
two more Polish-bred stallions: *Faraon++
America (AHRA; now the Arabian Horse
tion in our registry.” Unfortunately, Tweed
(*Naborr x Forta), imported by Leon Rubin,
Association) accepted both Polish-bred
could not call upon Provatoroff, the seller
paika
(Pomeranets
x
Comet offspring Three of Brusally’s five Comet offspring (left to right): halter champion *Salinaa (x Salwa), champion producer *Basta (x Bajdara), and *Zbrucz (x Znachorka), U.S. Reserve National Champion Park. *Salinaa is the granddam of National-winning grand prix dressage horse Scrabble+//; *Basta is the great-granddam of Jayel Super, an international-level endurance horse; and *Zbrucz is the sire of Bruyuri, U.S. National Third Level Dressage ATR, as well as other National winners, race winners, and endurance horses. Photo by S. Gail Miller; courtesy of Shelley Groom Trevor.
June/July 2013 of the three horses, for help in this matter, as he had died only a few months after
show.
etuszok x Ofirka, by Ofir); *Salinaa (origi-
Three of the Tweeds’ granddaughters
nally Salina) (Comet x Salwa, by Kuhailan
came to visit in April of that year. Although
Abu Urkub), carrying *Brusally El Azrak (by
It was not until 1978, fifteen years
all enjoyed riding, one granddaughter in
El Azrak); *Wislica (Branibor x Wataha, by
after their importation, that Tweed’s Rus-
particular—Shelley Groom Trevor—felt
Duch); and *Zbrucz (Comet x Znachorka,
sian horses, and their offspring, were fi-
that she had found her calling. Trevor went
by Rozmaryn).
nally recognized as purebred Arabians
to work at the ranch, mucking out stalls,
Brusally’s two new imported stal-
and issued AHRA registration papers. By
cleaning tack, bathing horses, and taking
lions, *Zbrucz and *Orzel++, changed the
that time, Tweed’s Russian stallion *Park
riding lessons in a variety of disciplines.
direction of Tweed’s breeding program
was long dead, and Tweed’s two imported
Eventually, she went out on the horse-
yet again. *Zbrucz, a big bay, was a born
Russian mares were at the end of their re-
show circuit, winning awards on Brusally-
show horse. He won several halter cham-
productive lives. An article published in
bred horses at events across the country,
pionships and was named a U.S. National
Arabian Horse World in 1984—a year after
including the U.S. National Champion-
Reserve Champion Park Horse. *Orzel++,
Tweed’s death—finally gave Tweed credit
ships.
a tall, rangy chestnut, had been favored
they were imported to the United States.
as a pioneer importer of high-quality Rus-
Also in 1967, a second shipment
to win the 1967 Polish Derby prior to his
sian horses. Also in 1984, the Arabian geld-
of horses from Poland arrived at Brus-
purchase. Tweed built a half-mile track on
ing Brusally Skoraik (Brusally Skorage x
ally. Sending his new trainer Denis Scully
the ranch to condition his new horse, and
*Napaika), a son of one of Tweed’s Russian
overseas to choose the horses, Tweed
then sent him to the races. *Orzel++ won
mares as well as a grandson of Skorage,
purchased nine Arabians for himself and
four races for his new owner, including a
completed the first of what would be four
imported two (*Paleta and *Prowizja) for
win over the great Kontiki, and was named
consecutive finishes in the yearly Western
other buyers.
the first U.S. National Racing Champion.
States Trail Ride (known as the Tevis Cup),
The imports were: *Bulawa (Laur x
Later, *Orzel++ became Tweed’s most suc-
in which a horse and rider traverse 100
Bulgotka, by Witraz), carrying the filly
cessful show horse since Skorage, winning
miles in a single day.
*Brusally Bulawa (by Almifar); *Cerera
U.S. Top Ten titles in halter and English
During this dispute over the Russian
(Ferrum x Cerekiew, by Wielki Szlem): *La-
Pleasure, and being named the first U.S.
horses, Tweed sought out other challenges
wenda (Doktryner x Laguna, by Opal), with
National Champion in Sidesaddle.
with characteristic optimism. With advice
foal *Laura (by Ariel) at side, and carrying
While the ranch was at its zenith, Ed’s
and help from his friend Bazy Tankersley,
*Brusally Gwarny (by Gwarny); *Manna
wife Ruth—whom he referred to as his
owner of Al-Marah Arabians, Tweed built
(*Naborr x Manilla, by Doktryner); *Paleta
“balance wheel”—became increasing ill,
an indoor sales arena and held Scotts-
(Comet x Planeta, by *Naborr), sold to Dan-
and she died in 1971. Tweed, now near-
dale’s first Arabian horse auction, timed
iel Gainey; *Prowizja (*Ego x Prowarda, by
ing eighty, had his own health problems
to coincide with the February Scottsdale
Korej), sold to Leo Knight; *Orzel++ (Pi-
continued on next page
A trio of Brusally’s Stallion ads, courtesy of Shelley Groom Trevor.
51
52
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine BRUSALLY continued from page 51
moon Zela+/ (descended from *Orzel++
to contend with. He turned over more of
and *Miroluba) and National Champion
Brusally’s management to Trevor and to
Scrabble+// (via *Salinaa)—as well as
the ranch manager, Lee Staheli. He also
Brusally Orzetyn (*Orzel++ x *Gontyna), a
encouraged a younger couple, Joe and
Prix St. Georges winner who was also 1980
Martha Ann Cassel, to start a Polish breed-
U.S. National Champion Third Level. Other
ing program. Using Brusally bloodlines as
Brusally-related National winners in dres-
a base, the Cassels went on to breed sev-
sage include: ARR Autumn Shades+// (via
eral successful race horses and National
*Orzel++ and *Manna), U.S. National Cham-
winners.
pion Third Level ATR; Bruyuri (by *Zbrucz),
In October 1976, eighty-three-year-old
U.S. Top Ten Third Level; Wistar Ananda+/
Tweed wrote a letter informing his friends,
(via *Faraon++, *Basta, and *Palmira),
as well as current and former clients, that
U.S. Top Ten Third Level; Brufire++// (via
he was retiring from Arabian horse breed-
*Orzel++, *Zbrucz, *Genua, and *Mirolu-
ing and offering his horses “only to those
ba), U.S. National Champion Second Level;
who already own Brusally Arabians or have
Armendeus (via *Lawenda), U.S. Top Ten
expressed an interest in doing so . . . . [I]n
Second Level; Staleys Fadjura (*Faraon++
this way perhaps your hopes and dreams
x Brusally Skorenua), U.S. Top Ten Second
may merge with mine, and my retirement
Level; RR Gar-Sun (via *Faraon++), U.S.
may be brightened by the knowledge that
Top Ten Second Level; Annapolis++// (via
the Brusally bloodlines are in good hands
*Orzel++ and *Abhazja), U.S Top Ten First
and will continue to represent the fin-
Level; Copper Chancellor+ (via *Faraon++,
est in Arabian breeding.” He sold about
Skorage, and *Genua), U.S. Top Ten First
fifty horses, keeping five. Trevor selected
Level; Blyth (via *Lawenda), U.S. Top Ten
twelve Arabians for herself, and tried to
Training Level JTR, 14 to 17; and Moshe
keep the ranch going as best she could.
O Zel+/ (via *Orzel++ and *Miroluba), U.S.
In early 1977, Tweed suffered a stroke that paralyzed one side of his body. De-
National Champion Training Level JTR, 13 and Under.
spite his doctors’ dire predictions, Tweed
Jumpers and working hunters of Brus-
lived at the ranch for another six years.
ally lineage with National titles include:
He died in his sleep in June 1983, a few
A Leader+// (via *Zbrucz), Canadian Na-
weeks shy of his ninetieth birthday.
tional Champion Jumper; Annapolis++//,
It is fair to ask how relevant Tweed’s
Canadian National Champion Regular
breeding program is today, sixty-odd years
Working Hunter ATR; Kingo The Road (by
since he purchased his first Arabian hors-
*Faraon++), U.S. National Champion Jump-
es. After a few years of relative obscurity,
er; Royalzon+/ (via *Centaur), Canadian
his breeding acumen has come to be ap-
National Champion Jumper; Indian Jewel
preciated by a new generation of Arabian
(via *Orzel++), Canadian Reserve National
breeders and riders, especially those spe-
Champion Hunter Over Fences; Brusally
cializing in racing, endurance riding, and
Orin+ (*Orzel++ x *Algorina), U.S. Top Ten
the sport horse disciplines.
Hunter Over Fences; and WP Dal-Fyn++
Tweed’s granddaughter has remarked that “If my grandfather were alive to-
Ten Working Hunter. A few Brusally horses have even taken
horses.” In fact, since the 1970s, horses of
part in eventing. Brusally Orzetyn, men-
Brusally breeding have excelled in dres-
tioned previously as a dressage horse,
sage, show jumping, hunter over fences,
also competed in horse trials with Trevor,
and eventing.
under the tutelage of eventing trainer
Upper-level dressage performers with
Andrew Popiel. Brusally Orlin (*Orzel++ x
Brusally bloodlines include two grand prix
*Salinaa), ridden by Popiel’s wife, Danielle
Champion
Bey-
ARMANNI - A descendant of *Orzel++ and *Abhazja, Armanni (Monogramm x SS Annita) was named 2008 U.S. Top Ten Sport Horse Stallion. Photo courtesy of Robbin Stewart.
(via Skorage and *Genua), Canadian Top
day, he would be breeding Arabian sport
competitors—Regional
Brusally Orzelyna+ (*Orzel++ x *Algorina), bred by Ed Tweed, ridden by Shelley Groom Trevor. Competed at Third and Fourth Level dressage in the late 1970s, won two National titles in Western Pleasure, and was a halter and English Pleasure champion. Photo by S. Gail Miller; courtesy of Shelley Groom Trevor.
continued on page 78
Brusally Zelyna (*Orzel++ x Brusally Zbruyna), bred by Ed Tweed, ridden here by Shelley Groom Trevor, around 1990. This mare was named 1986 Race Mare of the Year, competed briefly as a dressage horse, and went on to produce two race winners. Photo courtesy of Shelley Groom Trevor.
June/July 2013
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Ed Tweed’s Groundbreaking Importation of Polish and Russian Arabians
53
$39.95 8.5 x 11 paperback, 212 pages 286 photographs Published by Mare’s Nest Books/Screenfold Press
Forewords by Ed Tweed’s daughter, Sally Tweed Groom, and granddaughter, Shelley Groom Trevor Featuring chapters on *Orzel++, *Zbrucz, *Czester++, *Faraon++, *Gwiazdor, *Chlosta, *Genua, and twenty other imported horses, this extensively researched history is a valuable addition to the library of any serious breeder of Polish and Russian Arabians.
Available at Amazon.com and Screenfoldpress.com
54
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Back to Work Cross Training to Re-Condition a Retired Sport Horse By Cindy Tobeck
The bad news hit like a hammer blow, “You’re not going to be showing in Idaho this year.”
M
y veterinarian announced this to me after confirming
Before my vet left he rolled down the window of his van, “He
my half-Arabian working hunter mare, SMF Annie Get
can do it; you’ve got enough time to get him ready. What have you
Yourgun++/ had injured her right hind annular liga-
got to lose?” I smiled and rolled my eyes doubtfully as he drove
ment. It meant six months off for Annie,
off.
and unfortunately for me, the 2012 Ara-
Surprisingly, the tears didn’t come, but
bian Sport Horse Nationals in Nampa,
instead a strong sense of determination
Idaho were exactly six months away.
took over. I walked right back into my barn,
We had enjoyed a stellar 2011 season,
put my old gelding, Khajun Bey+++// in
amassing seven regional championships
the cross ties and looked him over with a
in working hunters, hunt seat equita-
critical eye. Dirty, he was as hairy as an old
tion and hunter hack between the west
goat, with a distended underline that was
coast regions of 4 and 5. Annie and I
the result of a 2007 life-saving explorato-
had gained a lot of valuable experience
ry surgery to remove an enterolith. He am-
over fences since her first trip to Nation-
bled around the property, rarely moving
als in 2010. That year she was the Re-
beyond a walk any more, and the years of
serve National Champion Half-Arabian
showing left my old retired friend some-
Hunter Hack for Amateurs to Ride. I felt
what stiff. The last time I rode him was at
that 2012 was going to be our year to
the 2010 Arabian Sport Horse Nationals,
take home the big red rose blanket. That
nearly a year and a half ago.
dream was now crushed.
Khajun had been a wonderful show
Standing in her darkened stall star-
horse and I was proud of the fact that I
ing blankly at the image of her fetlock
bought him as an unstarted 3 year old and
on the computer monitor, I told my vet
trained him myself, together earning every
in a soft, pleading voice, “But I really
point of his Legion of Supreme Merit and
want to go to Idaho…” As he packed up his equipment to leave,
Legion of Excellence awards. Despite the fact that I’m a do-it-your-
he looked over at my other horse, a retired chestnut gelding and
self amateur on a tight budget, we had won many sport horse and
offered, “Why don’t you take him to Idaho?”
dressage regional champions and reserves, as well as National Top
I laughed out loud, “He’s retired!”
Tens and even a Reserve National Championship…but I reminded
“How old is he?” my vet asked.
myself that was all accomplished on a younger Khajun.
“Well, he’s 18 or 19...and in no shape to be going back to Nationals.”
Evaluation and Goal-Setting After clipping what seemed like the equivalent of enough hair
June/July 2013 to re-carpet my entire living room, I took Khajun out to the arena
a single pole on the ground. While lunging Khajun, I would add up
and lunged him. He had the exuberance of a much younger horse,
to four poles, spaced at about four feet apart. Eventually, I would
snorting and prancing with his tail over his back. He held his head
raise up the poles using my plastic Blocs to a height of six to eight
high and his trot had beautiful expression and suspension. I was
inches. I would do this twice a week, one day with side reins, and
beginning to believe that maybe he could be competitive again.
the other day without. I would spend no more than 20 minutes
When it came time to canter however, I could tell that his hocks
doing these exercises. Right away, it was apparent that this caval-
were quite stiff. He couldn’t maintain the canter for more than a couple of laps and his right lead canter depart was difficult for him. In order to maintain it he circled around me counter-bent to the outside. In no time, he was at a full sweat from lack of condition. I made the decision to move forward and after riding Khajun the following day I was able to further evaluate his current level of
The Program: Cross Training and Joint Comfort Sunday ………Cavalletti work / free lunging Monday……..Hill climbing
fitness and suppleness. It was clear that I was essentially starting from scratch. As I rode him, it was evident that the training was all still there, but despite his enormous heart, his body was simply unable. I knew that it would be unfair to ask him to pick up where he left off performing at second and third level dressage movements, he was stiff and as uncoordinated as a youngster. So, we went back to the basics: training level. I kept in mind that although he might be ready to get back to second level in six months, there was the problem of getting him qualified for regionals in a mere eight weeks!
Tuesday…….Day off Wednesday…Cavalletti work / lunging with side reins Thursday……Dressage lesson Friday………Dressage
The countdown had begun. I had eight weeks until my first qualifying show. There were four months until Regionals, and six
Saturday……Low jumping / hunter lesson
months until Sport Horse Nationals. I’m a goal-setter; it’s what motivates me. I had already set my goals for Annie and had a hard time giving up those ambitions. I decided that even though
letti work was helping him to develop strength over his back and
I couldn’t compete with him over fences, I could still rely on him
to bring up his fallen underline.
to be my partner for hunt seat equitation not to jump. I also made
Every Monday, I would get home from work and hook up the
it a goal to compete in dressage training and first levels as well as
truck and trailer for my favorite conditioning activity: hill climb-
sport horse under saddle at the Region 5 Championships and the
ing. I found a grassy, long, moderately steep hill about 3 minutes
Arabian Sport Horse Na-
from my house. Hill climb-
tionals.
ing was an excellent activkeep
ity to build Khajun’s hind-
Khajun’s work varied and
end strength and develop
interesting to him, while
thrust. Of course, I had to
at the same time minimize
be careful of the footing
risk of injury by using a
as well as avoiding over-
cross-training approach.
stressing his stifles with
I
wanted
to
I like the method of us-
too much work. On the hill,
ing cavalletti to improve
I would trot him up while
condition, balance, confi-
staying off his back and
dence and rhythm. Since
maintaining a two-point
Khajun didn’t need any
position. It was wonder-
more training per se, cav-
ful to feel the power of his
alletti work enabled me to
hindquarters as he lowered
stay off his back but still
his croup and pushed off
get maximum conditioning
behind. We would always
results. When working with the cavalletti, I started with
continued on next page
55
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
He had transformed from an old, fat, hairy, stiff retiree to a sleek, conditioned, muscled and bouncy show horse...
Vern L. Serex Photo
walk back down the hill, and I would lean back, shifting my weight over his rear while maintaining a soft contact with his mouth to balance him. Khajun and I would go up and down our hill in this manner 8 times, which took about 15 minutes. After such short, but intense work, I always made sure he got the next day off in the pasture. On Thursdays and Fridays I did dressage. I found that working
coming softer and more flexible. In addition to the walk and trot
with my elder statesman, the warm-up was critical in order to cre-
low-stretchy-bendy-circles, I added the canter to our repertoire
ate suppleness. In the tests for Training and First Levels, there is a
and would switch between gaits, circle sizes and directions fre-
movement called the ‘free walk’ where the horse walks on a loose
quently.
rein, and reaches for the contact by lowering his head, stretching
Once he was relaxed and loose, I was able to work on lots of
over the back and through the neck while actively stepping un-
strengthening exercises. Among my favorites for his inside hind
der himself. There is a similar movement at the trot in both tests
leg (which I needed him to build-up if I wanted quality canter de-
where the test directive reads, “Quality of stretch over back, for-
parts) were the shoulder-in, half pass and turns on the haunches.
ward and downward into a light contact while maintaining balance
My number one secret weapon for improving the overall quality
and quality of trot.” In my warm-up, I would work for about ten
of his canter was simply to counter canter. I would canter figure
minutes on these two movements on 10, 15 and 20 meter circles
eights with no change of lead while maintaining his tempo and
in both directions with an exaggerated inside bend and a focus
keeping his shoulders up. I’d canter serpentines with no change
on pushing Khajun to the outside of the circle with a strong inside
of lead between loops. Eventually his canter became soft and bal-
leg. Going to the right was initially tough for him because he could
anced.
hardly bend, but persistence paid off, and he was increasingly be-
Every Saturday I would get a hunt seat / jumping lesson. Al-
Suzanne Sturgill Photo
June/July 2013
though Khajun wasn’t going to be competing at recognized shows
of a chicken around jumps, I would add one element at a time to
in the working hunter division, I felt it was important for me to
build up his confidence. Building his confidence over fences was
‘keep my jumping legs’ and continue to build my skills while main-
part of my overall plan because I knew that it was highly likely our
taining my confidence over fences while Annie was recuperating.
flat hunt seat equitation classes at Regionals and Nationals would
Working over low fences and through gymnastic exercises proved
be in the working hunter arena, where he would have plenty of
to be a great way to increase Khajun’s fitness. Jumping over fenc-
fences to look at, and (I hoped) NOT shy at!
es, one of the rider’s paramount jobs is to create and maintain a
I knew that this was going to be Khajun’s last shot at Nationals,
steady rhythm. As I gallop around a course or over a series of fenc-
so I spared no expense and did everything I knew possible to as-
es, I have trained myself to count in my head to keep the tempo
sure his comfort. This aggressive approach to joint comfort made
the same. I can’t get on a horse now and trot or canter without that
me feel like I covered my bases, and it certainly made Khajun feel
counting metronome automatically droning in my head. This work
better as evidenced by the spring in his step!
was carrying over into my dressage, where a steady tempo is just as important.
He received a daily supplement of Cosequin ASU in his feed. In addition he had his hocks injected. Midway through the show
My favorite gymnastic exercise with Khajun was to trot over a
season as Nationals drew near, I gave him a series of Adequan
pole on the ground, land in a canter, jump over a cross rail (7’ away
injections as well as doses of Legend. Finally, to top it all off, he
from the trot pole) one stride (18’) to a small vertical fence, then
was adjusted by his chiropractor twice and had an acupuncture
another single stride (21’) to a second vertical. Since Khajun is a bit
continued on page 55
57
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Formula for Success
by Michael Brown
Winning strategies from a top in-hand trainer and handler
Most of the problems we have with our horses stem from pasture learned behaviors and bad timing on the part of the trainer.
Michael presenting a 2 year old on the farm.
M
any trainers have experienced
is why its important to be able to formu-
the muscular and skeletal systems; with-
both the positive and negative
late a program based on your horse, in his
out stressing either to the point of fatigue
influences of improper train-
or her current needs.
or failure. I like to break these down into three categories:
ing methods, whether this is your horse’s
The ground formula for career prepa-
misunderstanding of the use of aids, or a
ration consists of your horse’s physical
A. The Level of exercise (lungeing/mild,
problem area that needs addressing. The
and psychological variables. We must first
golf cart/moderate, or long lining/ad-
foundation at which your horse is built
ask ourselves how much physical activity
vanced).
upon is the key ingredient to your horse’s
should we include into a young horse’s ex-
B. Type of exercise (walk, trot, or can-
successful career.
ercise program?
ter). C. Duration (the length of activity).
As a trainer, you must determine how
To answer the question about the
much exercise and training should be in-
amount of physical activity, we must de-
The conformation of your young horse
cluded routinely in your horses develop-
termine the length and the frequency of
is very important in determining the level,
ing stages. As well as how often you should
training. There are too many variables to
type, and duration that he or she is capable
modify your horse’s training program. You
take into consideration in order to make
of. If the horse is weak over his topline, or
must formulate a program that suits the
young horse exercising a “one size fits all”
has a “baby” under neck, you could incor-
needs of each horse individually. There is
program. What we can conclude, is that the
porate some advanced Levels of exercise
not a single, universal, consistent program
goal of physically exercising a young horse
when the horse was ready to strengthen
that could be used for every horse. Which
is to stimulate the proper development of
his or her topline. If your horse is croup
June/July 2013 high, or high at the withers, you will probably find that certain Types of exercise will be a struggle for them as they advance.
Young horse showing resistance to pressure.
This is not a huge concern, as the horse is still developing. In which case, you would either only introduce the type of exercise, or keep it to a very minimal in Duration. For all horses, exercise programs should begin at conservative levels and increase as positive results are achieved. Now that you have an understanding of how much physical activity should be included into your horses exercise program, you can now begin to understand the psychological (mental) aspect of your horse’s preparation. Like any relationship, it is important to understand what one likes, as well as what one dislikes. Sensitivity, resistance, and pressure are all factors in discovering what temperament your horse has. If your horse is willing to give to a little resistance to the contact (i.e. half halt), or is willing to lift its leg with the slightest touch of the
nesses. A wild horse wouldn’t allow you
prepared for his or hers career. So what
fetlock, then you have a horse with a train-
to put a halter on, just as a two year old
motivates a horse to be a willing partici-
able mindset from the get go.
might not allow you to put a bit in his
pant?
Don’t be discouraged if you do not. Not
mouth. Your relationship with your horse
Horses are instinctual and behavioral.
all horses start this way, but it is important
should carry over these values to build the
They react in different manners based on
to know what type of horse you have so
bond between trainer and equine. Which
the way they feel, and they way they were
you can build on his or her strengths, and
is why the mental preparation is just as, if
taught.
improve and strengthen his or her weak-
not more, important than being physically
Exhibiting a matiure horse
A. Instinctually, horses are known to be “flight or fight”, “herd bound”, and/or very brave or insecure. Get to know your horse so you can build on their strengths, as well as recognize their weaknesses. B. Behaviorally, they learn from both the herd and the handler (i.e. what they can get away with). Make sure the learned behavior comes positively in their training. They need to be happy with their surroundings (pasture management), and feel safe with their handler in an unfamiliar environment (bond development). Most of the problems we have with our horses stem from pasture learned behaviors and bad timing on the part of the trainer. Horse’s become aggressive, or stimulate aggression, based on their herd rankings. Make sure that the attention the horse is getting in the pasture is related to
continued on page 90
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60
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Warmowski Photography
Keeping the Faith Reggie’s Story by Katie Keim
Z
LA Pepets Regalo+// is a small
and peer into their coffee cup as if to say
him again around May, but he was three-
14.2 hand purebred gray Arabian
“Do you have anything for me?” Of course
legged lame. I was devastated. Many of
gelding whose registered name
no one could resist that cute face and pink
my “horse friends” pretty much told me to
nose.
give up on him, that he would only maybe
reflects his Spanish breeding. Regalo in
be a children’s pony. I would do no such
Spanish means “gift, ” which is appropri-
In my first year of showing him, we re-
ate because I consider owning him a gift.
ceived two Arabian Sport Horse National
Reggie, as we call him, was eight years old
Top Tens at Training Level. I remember
At the advice of my vet, I rode Reggie
when I purchased him.
that moment like it was yesterday; I was
several times a week. We would happily
Reggie is very intelligent and has a laid
so happy I was almost in tears. As we were
move along in what I can only describe as
back easy-going personally. Rarely does
waiting to enter the awards ceremony, my
a really bad western pleasure jog trot. I
he spook and even then, it is more of a
mother looked up at me and said, “Re-
could only ride straight lines and then walk
flinch in place without even breaking his
member this moment, you might never
through the corners and the short side of
gait. Then he seems embarrassed about
experience this again.”
the dressage arena. One day, I noticed
thing, I could never give up on him!
his reaction and realizes that it took more
In the winter of 2009 while prepar-
maybe 25 to 30 minutes into my ride, Reg-
effort on his part than it was worth. Not
ing to show Third Level, I noticed Reggie
gie got a little more pep in his step. What I
only is Reggie intelligent and very safe,
wasn’t moving quite right.
Something
finally noticed is that at some point, Reggie
but he also is a talented dressage horse.
looked off in his right hind. After giving
became a little looser. No he still did not
He had shown Training and First Level
him rest, then trying a chiropractor, we had
move like he used to, but it was perhaps
dressage and had competed in hunter/
our vet check him out. Reggie had chang-
a little better. Eventually I tried trotting
jumper at local Class A shows.
es in his right hock, it was a bone spur.
through the corners and 20 meter circles.
I quickly learned that Reggie’s favorite
We had no idea what happened as there
He would slow down for these movements
color is pink (coincidently my favorite
were no external signs of injury or trauma
because they were difficult for him, but
color). So we would go to shows with our
to the leg or hock, but the internal injury
each ride became a little better.
pink lead rope and pink sheet. I would
was severe. As if it couldn’t get any worse,
In June of 2010, we returned to the
over hear little girls say to their mother as
he also had moderate navicular changes
show ring. We were only able to show
we walked the show grounds “Look mom!
in both of his front feet. The vet injected
Training Level, but I was not complaining.
It’s the pink pony!” Reggie would eat up
the hock and front feet and put Reggie on
The fact that not only could I ride Reggie,
the attention, walking up to total strangers
stall rest for several months. I tried riding
but show him at any level, was nothing
June/July 2013 short of a miracle. Reggie came out winning virtually every class. He even received Top Five at Regionals. Throughout the next year Reggie improved with every ride. In June of 2011 I noticed a slight bluish discoloration in his right eye.
About Melanoma of the Eye
My vet came out to examine it. He was not sure exactly what was going on and sent the photographs to the University of Illinois. He
by Dr Amber Labelle
explained to me, “We can’t rule out melanoma because of his history, but I don’t think that’s what it is.” What?! Melanoma?! On his
Melanoma is a type of cancer that comes from pigment-
eye?! I had never heard of such a thing. I didn’t even know that
containing cells in the body called melanocytes. Melanocytes
was possible. When Reggie was 11, we had found a golf-balled
are responsible for the color of the skin and other organs. Horse
sized melanoma along with many other small melanomas in the
skin is usually pink or brown. The more melanocytes in the skin,
usual places grays get them. Given his relatively young age, there
the darker its color. Cancer results when cells in the body start
were more melanomas than one would expect. The University
growing uncontrollably. Melanoma is a well-recognized cancer in
of Illinois said, based on the photographs that it did look like a
horses. Grey horses are at a greater risk of developing melanoma
melanoma and to bring Reggie to the University as soon as pos-
of the skin than non-grey horses. Breeds of horses for whom grey
sible.
is a common coat color (such as Arabians and Lippizaners) are
Dr. Ralph Hamor and Dr. Amber Labelle, veterinary ophthal-
also at greater risk of developing skin melanoma. Skin melanoma
mologists, confirmed a melanoma in Reggie’s right eye. They also
occurs most commonly under the base of the tail, at the commis-
found a smaller one in Reggie’s left eye. A typical outcome of this
sure of the lip, around the genitals and around the eye. Melanoma
rare circumstance is removal of the eye, but I was going to do eve-
usually appears as hairless skin masses that can vary in size from the size of a dime to the size of a grapefruit.
Melanoma can also occur inside the horse’s eye. Melano-
mas usually arise from the colored part of the inside of the eye called the iris. Intraocular melanomas can lead to blindness and glaucoma (painfully high pressure inside the eye) and ultimately may necessitate removal of the eye. Meeting Katie Keim and Reg-
Studio 131 Photography
gie in 2011 piqued my interest in intraocular melanoma. Up until
rything in my power to not let that happen. Reggie has so much expression in his eyes. After weighing the options, we decided to laser the melanoma in both eyes. The melanoma in the left eye completely flattened (and is still flat). The melanoma in the right eye did decrease some in density. Reggie coped well with the treatment and we were all very excited about a successful outcome. We decided to laser the right eye a second time in the fall of 2011. Again, more matter was destroyed and everything appeared a success once again. Then several weeks later, back at home, Reggie began to have discharge from his eye and it was swollen. We took him back to the University of Illinois and found that Reggie had an infection. After a couple of months, the infection cleared and he was able to return
continued on page 91
now, not much has been known about intraocular melanomas in horses. The lack of scientific knowledge about the long term prognosis for intraocular melanomas in horses and the relationship between skin melanoma and intraocular melanoma made it difficult for me to answer Katie’s questions about Reggie’s prognosis and treatment options.
continued on page 91
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Reading Reflections
Goals & Choices R
ecently, I’ve been confronted with changes in circumstances that offer me new opportunities and choices. Transitions are often unsettling, but they
really do help to clarify priorities and to open space to consider how best to achieve goals. Denny Emerson’s recent book How Good Riders Get Good: Daily Choices that Lead to Success in Any Equestrian Sport is both aspirational and inspirational. Denny Emerson is a (retired) world class 3 day eventer with an exceptionally broad and deep involvement in equestrian activities including Morgan breed shows, endurance riding (he’s owned and ridden Arabians in endurance including completing the Tevis), leadership positions in several national equestrian organizations, stood stallions at stud for purpose breeding top eventing horses, as well as coached riders and trained horses to elite levels. Although elements of the advice in this book can be utilized by equestrians with modest goals, the core intent is aimed at assisting horsemen and women who wish to attain a high level of achievement in some aspect of equestrian activity. There’s no mollycoddling. Denny makes it clear that in order to achieve high goals, hard work is constant and difficult choices and sacrifices are necessary. The book provides a number of examples to illustrate the principles of the consequences of the choices that a rider (trainer/breeder) makes in each of several critical areas that include discipline, life circumstance, support network, character traits, physical fitness, attaining knowledge and experience, and the horses. If
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. While there is no substitute for real life experience handling, training, and riding horses -- books and other media can broaden and deepen the knowledge base that we apply to the practice of good horsemanship.
riding is a true passion-and
June/July 2013 you wish to become the best rider (or
infusions of Thoroughbreds are still ben-
trainer, coach, breeder, judge, etc.) that
eficial, the question of whether breeding
you can be in your chosen discipline, this
horses for amateurs and for profession-
book illuminates paths to building the
als is necessarily different, to what extent
skills, knowledge, and access to resources
data analysis is useful in breeding selec-
that are indispensable to that goal.
tions, viewpoints on specialization for
“I’ll bet that in every equestrian dis-
dressage
and
jumping,
challenges
cipline, if you analyzed it, you would find
of presenting and evalu-
that the best people have the horseman’s
ating young horses at the
equivalent of a very full ‘quiver’ [of ar-
Bundeschampionate, market
rows]. They have the emotional and char-
pressures on stallion selection,
acter traits that help them in their quest,
the importance of the mare base, and
they’ve built a support network, they live
so on. There are plenty of divergent
in the right places, they’ve developed
viewpoints in the book which helps
good physical skills, and they know a lot
to illuminate the complexity and
--about pedigree, about vet issues, and
diversity that exists in what super-
soundness, conditioning, and so on. They
ficially seems to be a uniform sys-
have those pieces –those ‘arrows’— at
tem.
hand when they need them …To have that
One of the cautionary tales in the
arrow in your quiver, in other words, is
book regarding goals and choices relates
very often the result of a conscious choice
to the Trakehner breed which suffered in
to put it there.” [pg 186]
reputation in the 70’s and 80’s due to an
Consciously making choices focused
admitted focus on the aesthetic aspects of
on attaining long term goals is an essen-
the breed over competitive performance
tial part of good breeding practices as
traits. [In the 70’s] ”The idea of having
much it is for achievement in training and
something special led to a false goal –
riding. In breeding for sport horse abil-
beauty. It was no longer performance that
ity, the Warmblood studbooks of Europe
was important but beauty.
have the “fullest quiver” to borrow Den-
More and more Trakehner breeders
ny’s metaphor. The recent book by Chris-
concentrated on beautiful faces, straight
heavily marketed young stallion champi-
topher Hector, The Making of the Modern
limbs, and forgot about things like ride-
ons. “In former times the breeders had no
Warmblood: from Gotthard to Gribaldi, may
ability or jumping ability.” [pg 608] The
chance [to breed to distant stallions] --they
seem far afield from the Arabian horse,
section describes how breeders changed
used the stallions that were sent to their
but for those interested in breeding the
course and by the 90’s, the breeding goals
district, and then several years later they
Arabian as a sport horse, there are appli-
had been altered to prioritize performance
would see which stallions were the best,
cable lessons to be gleaned.
qualities resulting in a rejuvenation of the
and often it would be the stallion that they
The book’s examination of the de-
desirability of the Trakehner as a sport
didn’t think was going to be the best, and
velopment of the
horse and for breeding in other registries.
the one they thought was going to be the
modern
There are certainly parallels with concerns
best was not so good.” [pg 167]
Warm-
expressed within the Arabian breed com-
blood
munity.
That reminds me of a nugget of wisdom from the great Arabian breeder, Bazy
s p o r t
The widespread use of shipped
Tankersley, who clearly had a “full quiver
h o r s e
cooled and frozen semen is a concern
of arrows” in regards to breeding achieve-
from the more
in the Warmblood world just as it is for
ments with Arabians (including for sport
old-fashioned util-
closed studbook breeds like the Arabian.
horse disciplines). In A Field of Arabians:
ity types for agriculture,
The paradigm of regional production test-
Bazy Tankersley and the Horses of Al-Marah,
war, and general riding is
ing has changed to reflect a global market,
by Susanne and Jake Page, Mrs. T. is quot-
constructed around profiles of
and there is concern that “fashion breed-
ed as saying, “Learn to identify end products as opposed to horses that are part of
the major studbooks and influential
ing” may be obscuring the discovery of
stallions with auxiliary sections address-
excellent breeding stallions who are slow
ing specific issues faced like whether
maturing or who are less exciting than the
continued on page 90
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64
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
From great promise – to tragedy – to beating overwhelming odds – to success Countess of Piaff and her new 2013 baby sister– their story by Shayna Dolinger
T
his cross of Polish Arabian Piaff
Piaff (Eldon x Pipi). Piaff is a tremendous
for hours on the merits of the stallion and
and Hungarian mare Virag produc-
athlete, big powerful mover, has excellent
requesting his racing records from Po-
es more than Sport Horse athletes
confirmation, and is a great match for your
land. The stallion had to prove to me he
for the big ring; it produces horses
Hungarian mare; do not say no until you
was more than just a pretty face, he must
look at him.” Kelly knew I would be quick
be a performance horse and he must be
that are an affair of the heart. In 2006, I was extremely fortunate to
to say NO because it was an Arabian, es-
able to pass-on his athletic abilities. Piaff
obtain and import from Germany Virag, a
pecially since I was from the open hunter
exceeded my expectations, not only was
Hungarian Warmblood mare sired by Colo-
and warmblood world and with that comes
he conformationally correct and moving
nado (Contender) and carrying the impor-
the stereotype thoughts of crazy Arabian.
horse, but he was a great racehorse with
tant German jumping/dressage lines of
She also knew I had Arabians years ago
multiple wins on the track, dressage, clas-
Landgraf and Ramiro Z, some of the most
that were jumping machines and saw the
sic hunter, native costume and while in the
influential and successful lines in Europe
window of opportunity to twist my arm a
USA started over fences.
today. Virag was a dream come true after a
bit because I was bored with business as
long search for a hunter/jumper mare.
usual with the open hunters.
Understanding
the
importance
of
breeding for performance and form to
Having the same interest in Sport
So, the research on Piaff began. Comb-
function, Piaff was approved for Warm-
Horse prospects, a long-time Arabian horse
ing the internet articles and blogs, maga-
blood breeding with the German Rhein-
lover/competitor and dear friend Kelly Ro-
zines and film in various languages finding
land Pfalz-Saar (RPSI) as a Book I stallion.
driguez contacted me with what would be
every scrap of information I could on the
Their criteria states, “The RPSI stud book is
a turning point in my Sport Horse program.
stallion: Multi-International Champion of
divided into Stallion Books I and II, and is
I remember Kelly starting off with say-
Poland, the Netherlands; Multiple Stakes
open to mares and stallions of recognized
ing, “Shayna, I want you to keep an open
Winner, to interviewing representatives
Warmblood breeds, as well as Thorough-
mind and look at this stallion, his name is
from the Pride of Poland/Piaff Partnership
breds, Arabians and Anglo-Arabians. RPSI
June/July 2013 (“Zweibrücker”) horses are bred for quality
Region 15 Halter Futurity as a 3 year old
the veterinarians could do, the filly did not
of movement, correctness of conformation
and Sport Horse In-Hand Region 15 Top 3,
have a good leg to stand on and I asked
and clear character. This foundation pro-
in addition to wins in SHIH at various rated
the attending vet to put her down immedi-
duces a superior athlete with high train-
Arabian Shows, but she was bred compete
ately and end her suffering.
ability and competitiveness for any of the
in the jumper/hunter ring!!
Everything with Countess seemed so
At 4 years old, I started Countess under
surreal - like it was not happening, but it
Piaff met my list of criteria and addi-
saddle. She was easy, with a smart, willing
was. I just wanted to be left alone, but
tionally, in order for offspring to be eligible
attitude and wanted to work more than
wasn’t. Within a few hours, a friend who
for a full Passport and Brand, both parents
eat or do anything else; you could turn on
was announcing for the VAHA show an-
MUST be approved in Stallion/Mare Book
the outside arena lights and she would run
nounced the loss of Countess of Piaff.
I and only those offspring may be consid-
and stand under the lights waiting for her
Friends were ringing my phone; trainers
ered stallion candidates with the possible
saddle. After getting the basics started—
and competitors shed tears with me giv-
chance of breeding on later. (If one parent
walk, trot, canter; I sent the filly out for fin-
ing hugs and their condolences. Online
is missing approvals and does not have ac-
ishing. In just a few short months and at
The Arabian Breeders Network and Face-
ceptable bloodlines/paperwork, then the
her first Arabian show, she won the SHUS
book messages of condolences, love and
offspring is only eligible for a Certificate
with a professional and won the SHUS se-
support from the Arabian and warmblood
of Pedigree -- no chance of a colt having
lect rider class with me. We were excited
communities came in from all over the
a chance to go threw the approval process,
and looking to our next show in 2 weeks
world.
thus cannot breed on through the registry.
and Region 15 in 6 weeks.
sport horse disciplines.”
The Arabian Horse Community is the
So, the deed was done. In 2007, Piaff
Just when you think you are on top of
most amazing, generous and supportive
and Virag blessed us with the arrival of
the world and have the highest expecta-
group of horse owners and family I have
Countess of Piaff, a huge, correct, power-
tions for your horse tragedy strikes and
ever experienced; offers of breedings,
ful moving grey filly who shined during
everything comes crashing down.
young horses, horses with training, etc.,
her RPSI inspection and was approved as
While attending the Virginia Arabian
came pouring in – all were appreciated
a Premium filly; something that was ex-
Horse Association Show (VAHA), I received
more than the English language would al-
tremely important to me as I was striving
a call saying that Countess had injured
low me to express, but I was not ready, my
to breed a performance horse.
herself in the stall at the training barn.
heart was too broken.
For an approved RPSI Arabian/Warm-
The veterinarian recommended the filly
For 2 years, I sat grieving, missing my
blood cross, Countess had enough Arabian
go to an emergency veterinary hospital for
filly and Arabian horse friends and family;
type to compete in halter, which she loved. I
treatment. We immediately shipped the
so I knew I needed to do something! So I
will never forget the squeals of excitement
filly to Blue Ridge Equine, a hospital ca-
started horse shopping, looking online, at
and joy from the very successful Arabian
pable of handling trauma and severe inju-
inspections, visiting to training barns and
stallion owner and breeder Denise Gainey,
ries. After evaluation of the filly’s injuries
breeders, auctions, magazines etc., I lost
“OMG, look at her TROT, that is just wrong,
and every treatment performed possible
count after looking at 2K plus horses (no
she is a Warmblood!!!” Countess’ handler
over a 24 hour period, Countess’ diagno-
kidding). I saw many fabulous horses with
was a former track competitor and she just
sis was a compromised tendon sheath in
excellent breeding and talent, but ALL
about trotted him off his feet. The filly
one hind leg and laminitis in the opposing
would have to follow in the footsteps of
earned a Top 4 Region 15 Yearling Halter/
hind hoof. There was nothing more than
Countess, so I respectfully stepped back
continued on page 96
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66
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
June/July 2013
Photos by Suzanne DeGeorge
Stan Phaneuf Photo
From Roses To Rehab
By Susan Winslow
Sun streams through the windows, casting long shafts of soft, morning light across the expanse of the indoor arena. Dust motes dance as the sound of children’s laughter rings through the rafters . . . continued on next page
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine THERAPY continued from previous page
new job as a therapy mount was a natural progression for some of
Two riders with special needs, ages nine and ten, are assisted
the family’s show string.
by leaders and side walkers in a rollicking game of “Walk-Whoa
Khlassicstatement is a bay gelding born in Boxford, MA in
Red Light/Green Light.” They cheer each other on as their elegant
1997. Karen knew his dam, Khalico, and witnessed the foaling, an
horses, a bay named Khlassicstatement and a chestnut named Mr
event which formed a strong bond between her and the young
Wise Guy, respond to their riders’ physical and verbal cues, mov-
colt. She says, “I bought Khlassic, as we call him, and after he was
ing with the easy, natural grace of the Arabian breed. The horses’
weaned. I was at the barn one evening and saw his mother with
delicate, curved ears flick forward and back as they listen atten-
her face pressed up against the bars of the stall across the aisle
tively for direction from their riders. When the game ends in a tie,
just watching us. I was so touched by that, I bought her too, so
there are high-fives all around, and one rider leans forward, wraps
she would always have a good home with her son nearby.” Khalico
his arms around the chestnut horse’s neck and whispers, “Good
was a daughter of the famous sire, Khemosabi, and she was known
boy, Wiser! I love you.”
in the barn for her strong maternal instinct and kindness, living a full life to the age of 32.
The Arabian horse as one of the world’s oldest breeds, has a long and illustrious
Khlassic inherited that kindness, along with
history going back thousands of years;
a whimsical sense of curiosity and a busy mind.
having been prized by such leaders as
Karen says, “He loves this job as a therapy horse!
Mohammed, Ghengis Khan, Napolean,
We once had a puzzle game in the ring that had
and George Washington. Today, as they
big wooden pieces. Khlassic loved to pick up
safely carry their riders through stretch-
the pieces in his mouth and put them on the
es, riding exercises and games, Khlassic
puzzle board. He is so smart, you really have to
and Wiser are representing yet another
see it to believe it! At a 9:00 a.m. lesson Khlas-
aspect of the breed’s versatility in their
sic walked around the arena with his leader and
role as trusted therapy mounts. In fact,
his young rider with a full, bold stride, but then
they are two of a small herd of full and
at the 12:00 pm lesson he intuitively changed
half-blood Arabian therapy horses at
his gait to mirror that of a different little rider
Wings and Hooves Therapeutic Riding,
who walked on her tiptoes. We’ve done about
Inc. in East Kingston, New Hampshire.
everything with him including jumping here at
The farm’s mission is to enhance the
the farm, but he really excelled in the show ring
lives of individuals with physical, emo-
in the Arabian Hunter Pleasure classes.” As a
tional, and developmental disabilities by building confidence through equine as-
Mr. Wise Guy
sisted activities and partnerships.
youngster, Khlassic started out in Arabian Halter before transitioning into Arabian Hunter Pleasure in local and New England Regional level competitions.
Karen Cuneo founded Wings and Hooves, a registered 501(c)3
Khlassic competed at the Empire State Arab show with Rebecca
nonprofit organization, in 2008 on the 169 acre farm where she
Eddy and they took a first place and Champion in the Arabian
lives with her husband, Paul and daughter, Kristen. Thirty-three
Hunter Pleasure 18-39.
years ago, Karen was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythema-
Mr Wise Guy+//, a handsome 15 hand chestnut gelding, is
tosus disease and in the ensuing years, she has undergone three
known for his unique appearance, as his tongue can be seen at
kidney transplants while maintaining her commitment to her fam-
times hanging out of the side of his mouth. This is a result of nerve
ily and a busy career in the financial industry. She says, “There
damage sustained early in his life, but this supremely talented
is no doubt that my horses helped me through my illness, and
horse never let it slow him down. While people are initially drawn
my dream throughout the many health challenges I faced was to
to his unusual appearance, it’s his intelligent, gentle nature that
share the healing power of horses with others.”
leaves a lasting impression. “He’s a superstar,” says Karen with
Before founding Wings and Hooves, Karen enjoyed competing
pride. The Cuneos purchased him from John and Lisa Jo White
her Arabian horses in local and regional “A” rated Arabian Horse
for their daughter Kristen in 2001. Mr Wise Guy already had an
Association competitions. She and Paul also supported Kristen’s
impressive show record, and Kristen went on to win multiple Re-
show career that took her to the National level of competition.
gional and National titles with him. Mr Wise Guy’s five page show
Along the way, they purchased a number of Arabians and Half Ara-
record spans twenty years and includes multiple Regional, United
bians, and they consider each of them as family members. As the
States and Canadian National Championships as well as the pres-
horses aged, Karen realized that they still had much to offer, so the
tigious Legion of Excellence.
transition from the rigorous life of a competitive show horse to a
“This horse really has done it all. He drives, rides, and has
June/July 2013
shown in those capacities all over the United States and Canada.
he really stepped up his game when he knew he was at a horse
He has never let his physical challenge slow him down, and it’s
show- I remember the first time I rode him at a show the night
something our riders and volunteers can relate to,” says Karen.
before his class. My mom asked me how it went- I told her ‘He’s
Marjorie Carr, who showed him to Youth National Champion re-
amazing- I just hope I can keep up with him!’ Wise Guy took care
calls, “Wise Guy was one of the most fun horses I have ever rid-
of me and he taught me how to ride a top English Pleasure horse.
den. He was an incredible athlete and he loved to show. In fact,
On the ground he was as sweet and loving as could be. Wise Guy embodies what an Arabian horse should be: a great athlete and a close friend to those around him.” These aren’t over the hill, tired show horses. They are active, healthy horses that have achieved regional and national titles and have gone on to a second, rewarding career in their golden years. Karen says, “The innate intelligence and willingness to please in the Arabian horse makes them ideally suited for this job. In addition to a Clydesdale and three Norwegian Fjords, we have a number of Arabian and Half Arabian horses and ponies in our program: Almost a Lady, a Half Arabian pony; Goldie, a Half Arabian mare; two Half Arabian Geldings: SS Lord of the Dance and Bobo Show+/ plus the two full Arabians, Khlassic and Mr Wise Guy. The Arabian is generally a long-lived breed, and our therapy horses are still going strong well into their mid twenties. They thrive on having a job, and being cared for and loved by so many people. Because these horses have been active campaigners on the show circuit, they have a been-there, done-that attitude and they are extremely well schooled. These are qualities that make excellent therapy horses.” Karen admits that in some spheres, there is a misconception about the Arabian breed that her horses are helping to overcome. She explains, “Because Arabian horses have such a proud, majestic carriage, and can really turn on the fire in the show ring, people often think they are a flighty, hot type of horse. I was at a P.A.T.H. International Conference where more than once a person said that they would use any type of horse for therapy except for Arabians. That type of statement just comes from a lack of true knowledge about the breed, and our horses disprove that stereotype every day.” Khlassic, Wise Guy, Lady and the other horses with Arabian bloodlines at Wings and Hooves are evidence that this breed can do it all, from winning national titles in the show ring, to carefully carrying a four year old with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome through his therapeutic riding lesson. “They are so incredibly smart,” says Karen, “You can see them watching and feeling their riders, and adjusting their way of going for them. With their keen intelligence and their highly developed sense of the human/horse bond, Arabians make great therapy horses.”
69
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
My Own Rehab Tale My heart horse, Silver Run Sohn (Gai Torero x Bint Lea Rouge) wasn’t the fanciest or the bravest horse, but he certainly had a
fashioned a neck strap for me to hold, stationed someone on each side of me and started to walk.
kind, gentle soul. I bought him from a friend in 1994 when my
He walked so slowly and carefully, helping me maintain my
children were still small. We showed at local hunter shows, ama-
precarious balance for a good ten minutes. It was heaven. I had
teur Arab shows, trail rode and had lots of fun. My kids and sever-
ridden (sat on?) a horse a couple of times since my injury, but not
al friends learned to ride
one of MY horses. What a
on him. He was patient,
difference it made! I had
quiet, sweet and beauti-
zero fear knowing him in-
ful – the perfect teacher.
side and out as I did.
Veteran Arabian breeder
My daughter hopped
Ann McKay called him a
on him and took him for a
saint in horseflesh.
spin around their outside
misgivings
course of jumps, swapping
about some jumps was
leads and over jumping
often
like a young horse. What a
His only
overcome
great day!
by a firm application of leg, and perhaps fear of
We lost him a few
getting in trouble. He
months later, but not be-
was adored by all who
fore he had endeared
knew him, despite his
himself to even more spe-
“leave now-ask ques-
cial riders. He was truly a
tions later” philosophy. (Every ring had its boogie man corner and
saint.
he wasn’t going to get eaten!) Nonetheless, his reaction with an
{I still own his half-brother, who shares Sohn’s quiet disposi-
experienced rider was completely different than when he was
tion and gentle nature. I even got to “ride” him when he was five
carrying a novice. He knew the difference.
and we visited him at a horse show.} - Peggy Ingles
We showed just a couple of seasons at rated Arab shows and he did quite well. Sohn earned East Coast and Region 15 Championships culminating in a trip to US Nationals in Kentucky in 2002 at the age of 20. He earned a Top Ten in Working Hunter AAOTR before I retired him from competition that year. After that, he hung out at my farm, trail riding and living a life of leisure as I had promised him. When I was injured in 2004, Sohn even came to visit me in the hospital. In 2005, I was forced to close my farm and disperse my horses, so I leased Sohn out to a friend in Pennsylvania who taught lessons to children, some with special needs. In April 2007, I went to visit Sohn for the first time in 2 years. My plan was not just to visit, but to try to sit on him once more, not a simple task for someone with my physical limitations. My heart soared when I saw him, he walked right up and seemed to know me, even though I was now in a wheelchair. I was thrilled to just kiss him and pet him. We took him up to the ring, racking our brains about how to get me on him. My son finally threw me over his shoulder and just tossed me up into the saddle. We got my feet into the stirrups,
Russian Roulett
FR Hercules
June/July 2013
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
One In A Million
Cal Dorado Photos courtesy Barbara Parkening
F
rom an inauspicious beginning,
the centerline on his back legs, passage,
Cal Dorado certainly made his
piaffe, Spanish walk, pirouette, bow and
presence known. Given away as
much more. She used him in her “Danc-
a 4 month old to Californian Barbara Park-
ing With Horses” traveling theatrical show.
ening, “Flash,” as he was known by his
“He could piaffe and passage all day and
friends, became an international star.
loved doing it. You can still go to Arabian
He was sired by the *Bask son Cal-OBask and born in February, 1979. With 2
Magnificent Dancing Stallion on You Tube and see his whole act,” says Barbara.
club feet and way too much white to suit
When Flash was 17, Barbara went to
his breeder, the sire’s owner agreed to
her friend Hilda with a plan. She asked
take him back. Barbara happened to go to
Hilda to make him a Grand Prix horse and
the farm to visit Cal-O-Bask and spotted a
win a National Championship on him.
weanling in a nearby corral. “It was love at first sight,” says Barbara.
Hilda recalls, “First, I had to teach him lead changes, which I did. But the tricky
Barbara had gotten her first horse, a
part was getting on him – when you swung
half Lippizan, when she was fourteen and
your leg over, he’d drop his head. He didn’t
put her in training with the famous Circus/
have a huge shoulder, so when he’d put
High-School trainer Albert Ostermaier. She
his head down and buck there was no way
trained with Albert until she started to
you were staying on. After I got dumped
show competitive dressage and has been
a couple of times I always had someone
training with Olympic dressage rider Hilda
hold his head when I mounted.”
Prix St. Georges. Flash and Hilda won the
Gurney ever since. In the mid-eighties she
In spite of that, Hilda says she really
class with a score of 65.93%, following
earned her bronze, silver and gold medals
enjoyed him. “He wasn’t mean, he would
that up with a dressage demonstration be-
from the USDF.
prance and dance but he wouldn’t kick
fore a crowd of 5,000 spectators, earning a
After taking on the little guy, Barbara
or bite or anything like that. Until the day
standing ovation.
hauled Flash long distances to receive cor-
they put him down he’d come out of the
Later, the years of walking on his hind
rective shoeing to improve his feet. Bar-
stall and he would prance and dance. Flash
legs caused him some soreness in his
bara recounts, “I started him under saddle
was always a character, very vibrant, prob-
hocks, so he was retired from competition.
and the put him on long lines. It didn’t
ably the most vibrant horse I’ve ever seen.
His offspring have carried on his winning
take him long to figure things out and he
An absolutely beautiful horse.”
legacy. Fancy Trick was trained and shown
taught himself how to canter on three legs,
Hilda showed him in open shows at
by Hilda to 2 National Championships in
we thought that was a pretty good trick.”
Grand Prix, earning scores in the 60s. In
Grand Prix and one at I-2. His purebred son
Barbara taught the gorgeous flashy chest-
1997, they took Flash to Albuquerque to
Aleros+/ earned a National Championship
nut how to do high school dressage move-
compete at U.S. Nationals in the highest
in 3rd Level, is almost ready to compete
ments in long lines. He would walk down
dressage level they offered at the time,
at Grand Prix this year and is planning on
June/July 2013
Cal Dorado performing (left) and with Hilda Gurney after winning his National Championship in Prix St. Georges (below).
another trip to SHN in 2014. Of Flash’s offspring Hilda says, “Aleros a really a fabulous mover. And we now have grandkids from Flash that are super movers and really talented in piaffe and passage.” His daughter, CD Gold Fever+++/ is a 2 time Reserve National Champion in Halter with Regional wins in Show Hack. Rhythmandbluesscr+// is a multi National Top Ten winner in Dressage. MC Stars Nstripes+/ is a Reserve National Champion in Show Hack and multi-Top Ten winner in Carriage Driving and Sport Horse Show
continued on next page
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74
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine CAL DORADO continued from page 73 Hack. CB Endeavor+ is a Canadian National & Reserve National Champion in Hunter Pleasure. April Moonsong+ is a Reserve National Champion in Sidesaddle. And one last foal is due this month, conceived from some frozen semen harvested from a testicle that was herniated and subsequently removed. The dam is a large Hanoverian mare who has produced one foal by Aleros already. On April 18 at the age of 34, Flash tore the wall of his rectum while trying to pass a hard fecal ball. There was nothing the vets could do, so he was laid to rest. For an unwanted baby, he has certainly left an incredible legacy.
Cal Dorado performing (left and above) and with h
June/July 2013
Half-Arabian daughter Fancy Trick with Hilda Gurney performing a dressage demonstration at Sport Horse Nationals
his son, Go For The Gold (below).
Purebred son Aleros+/, a breeding stallion competing at Grand Prix in open dressage shows.
75
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Photo by Tamara Torti
76
by Karen Ernst
Aurora MR+// The Comeback Queen
T
so off we went. After the first day of the Championships, Jennifer and Aurora were ahead of the rest of their class by a solid 5% and just had one more ride to go to be named Champion. On day two, during the warm up for
here are some horses that are super-
sage movements and had fun jumping the
their last ride, while cantering on a 20 me-
stars because they have a superstar
jumps that were set up in the arena. When
ter circle Aurora stepped on a large rock
as a rider and there are some horses
it came time to start showing, the trainer’s
that had been thrown into the arena and
that are just born to be a superstar regard-
schedule did not blend well with our Ara-
tore her right hind suspensory ligament
less of their rider. Aurora MR (JRPadrov x El
bian Show schedule, so she sent one of
right below the hock. It was so bad we had
Disar Eve) is the second kind of horse. Now
her 12-year-old students, Jennifer, to ride
to bring the trailer to the arena to take her
don’t get me wrong, all of her riders have
Aurora. Here we were at a show with a kid
home.
been great, but it is not often that a horse
that we really did not know, riding a horse
During the vet examination it was de-
is a superstar with every rider they are
that had less than 6 months of formal train-
termined that she had a large hole in her
paired with. Aurora is just that, and I think
ing and with no trainer to school them!
suspensory and the vet felt she would be
after reading her story you will agree.
Jennifer and Aurora were stars at this
only be broodmare sound for the rest of
Aurora was started under saddle in the
first show, so we continued attending Ara-
her life. Well I was not willing to accept
fall of her 5th year. Right away the trainer’s
bian and Open Shows with Jennifer as her
this, so I took her home and put her in a
12-year-old daughter was riding her and
rider. The pair qualified for the 2004 CDS
paddock for 6 months, after which we
fell in love. Together they practiced dres-
Jr. Championship show in Training level,
took her back to the hospital and had her
June/July 2013 leg scanned. Much to their surprise, they
show year as Sport Horse Reserve National
ing Aurora and the pair started compet-
could not even find the scarred tissue from
Champion at 3rd Level and Top Ten at 4th
ing at Prix St. Georges in open shows and
the tear and gave us the go ahead to start
level.
doing very well. In July of that year, they
conditioning her to return to work.
In 2009, Jennette became pregnant
added Intermediaire1 to the schedule and
In the spring of 2005, Jenny Breen
and was unable to ride, so she enlisted
again were holding their own at the open
agreed to ride and show Aurora for us at
one of her young students, Samantha, to
shows.
Open and Arabian shows (still schedule is-
ride Aurora. This new pair started show-
At the 2010 Sport Horse National
sues with trainer) and so a new team was
ing at 3rd level in June of 2009 and right
Show, Aurora and Jenette earned a Top
born. Together they won not only at Ara-
away were stars. In their first two shows
Ten in PSG dressage and was just out of
bian Shows but also almost every Open
together they qualified for the 2009 CDS
the ribbons for Int.1, but knowing this was
Show class they entered. We traveled to
Jr Championship show at 3rd level.
In
a new level for them, we were not discour-
Canada for the 2005 Canadian National
August of 2009 they attended the CDS Jr.
aged by her placing. Aurora did end the
Show that year and they earned Aurora’s
Championship show and were named CDS
year as USDF All Breed Reserve Champion
first National Top Ten Award - at Training
Jr. Championship Reserve Champion 3rd
PSG level and Champion Int.1 level.
Level. They ended the show year winning
Level.
USDF Young Rider Training Level Award and several AHA awards.
In 2011, Jennette added Int. 2 to Au-
Things were going so well with this
rora’s schedule and we started attending
new pair that we decided to add 4th level
open shows, where she again held her own.
In 2006, Jenny became Aurora’s own-
to their schedule. Aurora was already qual-
All was going well when she came down
er and the team returned to the show ring
ified for Nationals in Open, so they just
with a rear leg lameness. After examina-
at First and Second Level, again winning in
needed to qualify at the amateur level,
tion it was felt that she had a bad case of
Open and Arabian competitions. They were
which they did at their first show.
thrush and medical action was taken.
named USEF Dressage Horse of the Year,
Samantha and Aurora showed at the
Aurora was taken out of work, hand
and added 4 more National Top Tens (First
Region 3 Sport Horse Championship show
walked and in a couple of weeks all was
and Second Level) and a Reserve National
in 3rd and 4th level Open and Amateur
well, so back to work she went. We started
Championship at First level to Aurora’s list
and were named 3rd and 4th Level Cham-
noticing that her angle seemed wrong on
of awards.
pions in Amateur and Reserve Champion
her left front foot and asked about it - the
In 2007, this team continued with their
3rd Level Open with a Top Five in 4th Level
farrier insisted that everything was fine
success at Second level winning two Re-
Open. They ended the show year as USDF
and not to worry.
gional Championships and two Top Fives.
All Breed Champions in 3rd & 4th Levels.
About 2 months after we first noticed
Meanwhile, back at home, I lost Aurora’s
Not bad considering that this pair was only
the angle change on Aurora’s left front
little sister to a pasture accident and I
together for 3 months!
foot, she was lame. We were told that it
asked Jenny if she would sell Aurora back to me. Aurora’s mother was a very special horse to me and I really wanted to have one of her daughters. Jenny agreed to sell Aurora back to me, but would no longer be her rider. We then went to Jennette Scanlon of Scanlon Training and asked her to evaluate Aurora for further advancement in Dressage. We were happy to learn that Jennette felt she was in fact talented enough to become an FEI Dressage horse, so a new team was born. In 2008, Jennette and Aurora attended the Scottsdale Arabian Show and were stars just like Aurora had been with all her other riders. They ended the show with Aurora winning 4th Level High Score Champion. Aurora and Jenette ended the 2008
In 2010, Jennette was back to rid-
continued on next page
77
78
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine AURORA continued from page 77 was just stiffness from her trailer ride to the show and that she would work out of it. When she did not get better, an appointment was made with the vet. Upon his examination, it was found that her left front angle was off so badly that as a result she had strained or possibly torn her collateral ligaments within her hoof and she was set up on a hand walking schedule and stall rest for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, Aurora was taken back to the vet and was found to still be at a grade “3” lameness and at that time the vet said she was probably not going to return to full soundness. He felt that she may become sound enough for a junior to ride her at Training Level, but would not perform at the FEI level again. Again I was not ready to accept this future for Aurora, so I brought her home and returned her to the same paddock she stayed in when she tore her suspensory 7 years earlier. Aurora was not happy not working but she adjusted to a life of rest for the most part and enjoyed hanging out watching the other horses play in their pastures. I kept Aurora home for 13 months this time and let nature take it’s course in healing her. In October of 2012, we took Aurora to Danielle Casalett of Casabrook Training to
start conditioning her for a return to work
BRUSALLY continued from page 53
if she was sound. Aurora has been sound
*Salinaa), ridden by Popiel’s wife, Dan-
since her first day with Danielle and was
ielle Leader, was a winning eventer, and
so happy to start back to work. I believe
Litawor (out of *Lawenda) was a cross-
that Aurora is happier with Danielle than
country and fox-hunting horse in England.
she has been with any other rider and in a
No doubt Tweed would be gratified
short period of them they have become a
to learn that descendants of his breeding
beautiful pair.
program continue to win at the highest
Danielle has taken Aurora’s return to
levels of Arabian competition. In 2008, a
work very seriously and all proper precau-
racing colt named Abu Alemarat, who de-
tions are taken for Aurora’s safety. They
scends from *Orzel++, *Zbrucz, and Skor-
spend 4 days per week in the arena and
age, became a Triple Crown winner in the
then at least 1 or 2 days out at the lake
United Arab Emirates. The same year, Zbro-
where they enjoy a trail ride with one of
ja Fata (via *Orzel++ and *Chlosta) won Po-
Danielle’s students. Danielle also takes
land’s Criterium Stakes, and in the United
the time to take Aurora out to graze grass
States, MVA Scarlet Orzel+/ (via *Orzel++,
and they enjoy girly time together. Aurora
*Zbrucz, *Chlosta, and *Genua) won her
loves her girly time!
seventh National title in Reining. Also in
On March 17, 2013 five months after
2008, the brothers Armanni and Annapo-
returning to work, 18 months after being
lis++// were both named U.S. National Top
told she would not return to work at the
Ten Sport Horse Stallions. In 2009, Mukata
same level she was at before her injury,
Fata (via *Orzel++ and *Chlosta) won the
and 21 months after her injury, Aurora and
Polish Oaks. Riverwatch (via *Faraon++),
Danielle attended their first show. They
won the 2011 Tevis Cup, and in 2012, TM
showed at the PSG level and although
Super Bird (via *Orzel++ and *Chlosta) was
they did not win their class it was a ma-
named Darley Older Mare of the Year.
jor win for Aurora as she again proved the
As Tweed noted in 1975, “Our purpose
vet wrong and she performed every move-
here at Brusally is clearly defined: first, to
ment of the test without difficulty, even
prove that classic beauty, good size, correct
obtaining a qualifying score for SHNs and
conformation and athletic ability must be
the Region 3 SH Championship Show.
combined to create our idea of the perfect Arabian; and secondly, to make available in America a select pure Polish breeding group to be used by those who feel such a goal is worth accomplishing.”
Join Us On
Mobile Horse Supply
June/July 2013
79
MOBILE HORSE SUPPLY Unique/Creative •• York, SC www.mobilehorsesupply.com
Bob Haarmans
Your personal shopper for the dressage enthusiast, is happy to add the work of yet another local artisan, Sue Kolstad, to our collection of unique gifts. Sue does beautifully hand painted in porcelain glassware in many styles that make great gifts and prizes. Her work has been used at several CDI’s as prizes, with great response. Personalized work is also available upon request. At MHS, we also create custom coats, browbands, matching ties and many other items that you will not find elsewhere. We also carry a full line of tack and clothing that have been tested and approved by local trainers. Please visit our website and soon-to-be online store. Sue’s work will also be available for sale online. We also embroider several of her designs on clothing. We also carry a full line of quality tack and supplies and specialize in the hard-to-find and special order items. If we don’t have it, we will do our best to find or make it! Happy Riding! mobilehrs@aol.com
80
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Biomechanics Working with the Mind of the Horse A Series by Lisa May Forty years ago Mary Wanless set out to
The importance of contemporary re-
fascinating evolution of horses’ involve-
discover what makes riders ‘talented’. Now
search on horse behavior and learning is
ment with people and debunks myths
with six books, multiple DVDs, and clinics
recognized in RWYM. Wanless calls these
about horse intelligence and learning. He
worldwide, her “Ride With Your Mind”TM
horse-starting and training methods the
writes, “Only by looking at the environ-
(RWYM) method of coaching explains how
“Ground Zero Toolkit.” Senior Coaches
ment and circumstances that an animal
the talented rider’s body shapes the horse’s
incorporate the work of innovative horse-
has adapted to through evolution, can
athletic use of his body. Her pioneering
men of the past like the Dorrance broth-
we begin to understand the fundamental
work has seeped into that
reasons it does what it
of many others who refer to
does.” A detailed pic-
“rider biomechanics”. Wan-
ture of horses’ highly
less’ strategies can be un-
evolved
derstood most clearly from
critical to understand-
the source.
ing how to work with
RWYM begins by clari-
them.
behavior
That
is
picture
fying where the rider’s
emerges as Budiansky
body is in space, noticing
reviews horse behav-
the impact on the horse
ioral science including
and taking the next most
McLean’s research.
accessible step to improve
Here
are
a
few
skills. Wanless’ strategies
things
of mental awareness and
shows.
body control are her “First
skilled at associating:
Toolkit.” These are the hu-
they have the abil-
man skills that underpin
ity to anticipate based
good riding. Different from
on barely perceptible
other instruction methods,
cues. As they evolved,
this is a coaching strategy
those that were sen-
that recognizes different
the
research
Horses
are
sitive to smaller and
people’s learning styles. In daily life we
ers, as well as contemporaries like horse-
smaller clues from the environment suc-
rarely experience communication styles
man & Aikido master Mark Rashid, and
ceeded in mastering their environment.
that coach rather than direct. From the
Australian equine behaviorists Manuela
Horses are also skilled at habituation. They
unique starting point of each rider’s body
and Dr.Andrew McLean. These horsemen
become desensitized to repeated events
and mind, RWYM coaching methods make
insightfully describe how to communicate
that may arouse their fear, but aren’t actu-
it possible for us to map the territory we
with the horse’s mind. The “Ground Zero
ally a danger. As a prey animal the horse
ourselves have to cross to arrive at good
Toolkit” encompasses tools that help hors-
evolved to conserve energy unless needed
riding. The method guides people to dis-
es and humans communicate.
for flight. Those able to conserve energy
cover how to learn independently in collaboration with the horse.
In his wonderful book, The Nature of
by distinguishing actual threats from other
Horses, Stephen Budiansky recounts the
stimuli thrived. Those that unnecessarily
June/July 2013 expended energy were less robust - less
is unclear they become confused. Some
into account a particular horse’s past his-
evolutionarily successful.
spend more time trying to figure out what
tory, maturity, intelligence, confidence,
Association in combination with ha-
is being asked than attempting a response.
dominance, physical abilities and toler-
bituation makes horses highly teachable.
Others nervously run so fast through their
ance for physical and mental strain may
Our ability to perceive and control very
whole repertoire of trained responses that
be more humane and ultimately more suc-
specific stimuli is more limited than that of
people say the horse is being evasive.
cessful.
the horse. We are less focused. Our minds
When fear accompanies a learning experi-
tend to wander or attempt to multi-task.
ence, equines hesitate, shutdown or dem-
RESOURCES
While we work with a horse our attention
onstrate what McLean calls “Conflict Be-
Budiansky, The Nature of Horses: Exploring
is often diverted to internal thoughts or
haviors”. We often call conflict behaviors
Equine Evolution, Intelligence, & Behavior
external observations. While our minds
“evasions, disobedience or disrespect”.
Dorrances, True Unity; True Horsemanship
are busy we miss the questions horses
Some horse’s flight or conflict behaviors
Through Feel
pose: May I walk a bit faster while being
are subtle: loss of attention, dullness to
May, “Crossing the Species Divide” Idyl-
led? Can I take a bite of grass? The horse
aids, “zoning out”. They may express their
wildFarm.com, Articles Section
experiences our lack of response to the
confusion with tension, shying, difficulty
McLean, The Truth About Horses; Equitation
question as permission. After the horse
with steering or speed. Others panic,
Science, “Articles” at www.aebc.au.com
has interpreted our inaction by walking
showing that they are overloaded or short-
Rashid, Horses Never Lie; Horsemanship
ahead of us or stopping to graze we notice
circuiting through dramatic flight respons-
Through Life; Whole Heart Whole Horse
the change, often labeling it disrespect or
es like bucking, bolting or rearing. All organisms need a predictable world.
As athletes on horseback we can use our
When we correct the mistake after the
The less predictable, the more stress they
own anatomy to communicate to the horse
fact, we create confusion for horses: We
show. By unintentionally making the envi-
a streamlined framework for movement.
unintentionally agreed to the speed or the
ronment unpredictable, our human incon-
Find out more about these strategies for us-
intent to graze when we missed the subtle
sistency can trigger horses’ flight instincts.
ing the brain to communicate with horses
questions? Horses struggle to figure out
Innovative horsemen and behavioral scien-
through behavioral science and biome-
what part of the subsequent action we did
tists have found that rewarding the horse’s
chanics! There’s a wealth of information at
not want since we did accept the faster
approximation of correct responses and
www.Mary-Wanless.com including coaches
walk and the thought to graze. Riding ex-
ignoring - rather than punishing - a mis-
worldwide - with five in the USA at www.
amples:
take more effectively reaches the equine
RideWithYourMindUSA.com.
1) The continuous pressure of strong
brain. As Mark Rashid says, “Reward the
Working with Wanless since 1997, Lisa
hands or the nagging pressure of hands
try”, and, “Focus on what you do want. Not
May is the first US accredited RWYM coach
that don’t distinguish clearly between a
on what you don’t want. Whatever you fo-
& a horsemanship student of Mark Rashid
desired or an undesired response lead to
cus on you’ll get more of. Focus on what
since 2000. Also a Professional Association
habituation.
you want.” Human action makes sense to
of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
horses when it helps them.
instructor, she travels for clinics from her
disobedience.
2) Lower legs that continuously cling, kick, or don’t release when the horse
All energy expended on behavior is
makes small changes lead to habituation.
communication. By understanding what he
Becoming habituated is becoming desen-
is communicating we begin to work with
sitized.
the horse rather than against him. Strate-
Humans tend to perceive a desensi-
gies for working with rather than against
tized horse as resistant, hard mouthed or
horses’ natural behaviors can be found in
evasive. Yet, it is our own hand contact or
Mark Rashid’s many books. In a very enter-
leg use that has trained / habituated the
taining style, he helps us understand our
horse in a way that we don’t want. When
world through the mind of the horse, “If we
we get a response we don’t want, we typi-
are only students of technique our knowl-
cally use an even stronger aid or punish
edge has limits - If we are students of the
the horse, which furthers the vicious cy-
horse learning is unlimited”. The research indicates that while train-
cle. Reward and punishment both rein-
ing methods that claim effectiveness with
force behavior. When horses get punished
all horses may eventually work with most
for a mistake or when the correct choice
horses, individualized training that takes
home in Maryland www.IdylwildFarm.com.
81
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Wilson Hui Photo
82
The Hunter & Jumper
W
herever there is a horse and a man, there will be a competition to suit the needs of their
immediate surroundings. Ours is a history of wars, a history of two sides competing against each other for supremacy. It is the nature of man to challenge the power above him, attack and conquer. It is because of our nature that we have created competitions and we have created breeds words “The Dressed” horse. Alongside
dressage can be applied to hunters and
Where does it all begin? In my last arti-
Xenophon’s classical balanced seat, from
jumpers, I have been exposed to the po-
cle I introduced Xenophon, a Greek Warrior
which the rider can gather his horse, he
litical diversities and attitudes which com-
from 400BC who is credited with leaving
does not neglect useful advice concern-
pose a bigger discretion than the tech-
us with the first written word of training
ing the importance of letting the horse
niques of applying common sense training
the horse. Not only did he write a series of
and rider stretch into a more horizontal
(e.g. dressage) to train the horse to jump.
manuals which are the foundation of dres-
balance when galloping across country.
There is a long steadfast attitude between
sage training, but his works also include
Jumping ditches and riding up and down
the two forces and I have enjoyed not only
the basis for the hunter, jumper, and all
hills is also explained with reference to
learning the history but also watching the
horse sports which include flat out racing
the varied head carriage as the horse bal-
‘wall crumble” before my eyes in this gen-
and galloping with no collection or balanc-
anced himself.
eration, and I feel like I have been a small
of horses to fit these needs.
ing of the horse on to his hocks, or in other
In my great quest to understand how
part of its demise.
June/July 2013 Anyone who has been exposed to both
class in England and the private ownership
With the Thoroughbred came a com-
worlds can’t help but notice the sarcasm
of land resulting in the erection of fences,
plete change of riding style, former prin-
and long engrained attitudes of both dres-
walls, hedges and ditches led to excellent
ciples of balance, collection and control
sage riders and hunter/jumpers towards
hunting obstacles. Prior to this period, the
were happily abandoned by the majority,
each other. Hunters mock dressage rid-
only jumps known had been the leaps and
and seen as counterproductive to goals of
ers and refer to them as DQ’s (Dressage
airs of the High School. It was with the ev-
speed and freedom. Now all that mattered
Queens) while looking down upon
was the propagation of an aestheti-
them as fearful cowards who hide
cally beautiful horse with fine limbs,
behind the enclosed walls of the
a delicate head, sensitive and excit-
arena to stay safe on the ground.
ing to ride at great speed with stam-
Correspondingly, the dressage rid-
ina. English nobility and commoner
ers look upon the hunters and jump-
alike were able to enjoy their own hot
ers from snooty eyes mimicking ar-
blood, priding themselves on a lack
istocracy which is the origin of their
of formal riding style, with their own
passion and devotion, and the base
daring and the natural ability of their
for the throne upon which they see
excellent horses, they were able to
themselves sitting.
chase at breakneck speed over every
None of this is new, the split be-
manner of obstacle in the country.
tween the two goes back as far as
It was England that led the way
history holds records. The Mongolian
by abandoning Academic study which
warriors travelled in a flat easy can-
was based on principles of balance,
ter on the forehand in the manner of later day hunters, the nomadic tribes gripped with their knees and leaned forward with their bodies, which
Federico Caprilli (top) revolutionized the world’s jumping style. The study of photographs of a horse in action (by Muybridge, below) offered proof of the benefits of his methods.
collection and control for the sake of speed and freedom. Although the British led the way because of hunting, it was the advent of show jumping
was the logical start of the forward
at the turn of the twentieth century
seat. From Mongolia and Greece, the
that gave rise to the development of
Medieval Period engulfs nearly a
the sport which not only abandoned
thousand years until we arrive in the
classical dressage, but was the cause
nineteenth century to find the cur-
for the separation and disparagement
rent situation of today’s two raging
between the two worlds.
worlds of competitions as a continu-
Frederico Caprilli, an Italian cav-
ation from 400 B.C.
alry officer, (born 1886) studied the
War tactics changed with the
mechanics of the horse over jumps
Renaissance Period and the need for
and thanks to the invention of the
a smaller swifter more agile horse
camera, was the innovator of the
necessitated the re birth of the Ibe-
forward seat, a radical change which
rian horse and the development
revolutionized the world of jumping.
of the Thoroughbred. As cavalry
Caprilli was diametrically opposed to
schools sprung up across Europe,
dressage, proclaiming one excludes
they continued training and improv-
and destroys the other. His methods
ing the breeding of horses. And as
were happily adopted throughout the
is always the case, exhibitions and
jumping world, requiring no literary
competitions became a popular way
study or social standing, traditional
to entertain the royalty along with
background or special premises.
the public during non war time as a
olution of the English Thoroughbred pro-
Two influential men brought the
way to demonstrate the best trainers and
duced from the three foundation Arabian
Caprilli system to America. They were
armies in the time.
sires; The Darley Arabian, Godolphin Barb
Col Harry D. Chamberlin and Vladimir Lit-
Historical events facilitate change,
and Byerley Turk that the racing and hunt-
tauer. Chamberlin received a portion of his
jumping horses is only around 200 years
ing world would completely revolutionize
background at Saumur, but abandoned all
old in the history of man’s partnership with
the world of riding across Europe and into
the horse. The development of the middle
America.
continued on next page
83
84
The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine DRESSAGE continued from page 83
skills required of the former.
never got a wrong feel, but I still had to
forms of collection in favor of the Italian
I consider myself very lucky to have
method after having studied in Italy. His
trained with a Ukrainian Cavalry Officer,
When he moved to the United States
reasons being, the forward seat method
Mykola (Nick) Pawlenko, who immigrated
after the war, he ended up in the Chi-
was easier to teach to the great numbers
to the United States in 1950 after the Sec-
cago area where he was first involved in
pay my dues!”
of cavalry officers and the meth-
the jumper world, when his
ods of high school dressage
children became interested
weren’t necessary.
in dressage; he converted
Chamberlin was a brilliant
his best moving jumpers to
jumper and won a silver medal
dressage and was instrumen-
in Show jumping at the Los
tal in starting dressage in the
Angeles Olympics in 1932. He
Chicago area. All his jumpers
went on to become the most
had a dressage foundation
sought after teacher at Fort Ri-
which is why they were so
ley Calvary School and was very
easily converted.
influential in the propagation
I trained with Mykola
of the forward seat and dispar-
for nearly a decade, he was
agement of collection and any
a master horseman for not
high school movements which
only dressage and jumping,
require the horse to engage and
but work in hand, lunging,
bring the hocks under. He en-
long lining and driving. My
couraged the development of
insatiable thirst for knowl-
the low sweeping stride close to the ground, the standard for today’s mod-
Col. Harry D. Chamberlin
edge was the spark for our student-master relationship. I never tired
ern hunter, discouraging any flexing of the
ond World War. He was trained in the tra-
of watching him supple his jumpers and
hocks, bending the knee or lowering of
ditional military way and fought in World
use gymnastic training techniques to
the croup which would be the result of a
War II on horseback. His father, Ivan, was
strengthen and teach his horse agility and
horse having been trained with dressage
a pupil of James Fillis, one of the most
balance in jumping. He also taught me how
methods. Chamberlin’s intent was to
to free jump horses to retrain them
separate the two disciplines and to
from bad habits or form over jumps.
insist that the techniques of one were
He was highly educated in the his-
not applicable for the other.
tory and theory of training horses and
Vladimir Littauer, a Russian cavalry
the methods of all the great masters,
officer and refugee, is highly credited
retaining many of his methods from
with the innovation of the Caprilli sys-
the German system. He understood
tem in the United States. He helped es-
how to apply dressage methods to
tablish a riding school in New York City,
each horse according to the conforma-
Boots and Saddles, where forward rid-
tion and character of the individual ani-
ing took its hold and prospered across
mal. Upon settling in the United States,
the East Coast.
he fell in love with the thoroughbred
Littauer is recognized today as one
horse although he was one of the first
of the most influential teachers, lec-
people to import warmbloods in the
turers and equestrian authors in the
1960’s. I spent years totally engulfed
country, his influence extending through
Vladimir Littauer
in learning the art of training horses with
many competitive riders and Olympic
influential dressage trainers of the cen-
a foundation of dressage methods, since
gold Medalists. Littauer’s background, like
tury from St Petersburg Cavalry School; he
then I have continued using my education
Chamberlin’s, included a formal education
graduated from Pinerola Italy and Saumur
to apply it to all the horses and varied dis-
in high school dressage, which he aban-
France cavalry Schools as well. Mykola’s
ciplines I have participated in.
doned for the forward system designed
first love was jumping even though he had
When the hunter/jumper world first
to make riding easy and natural, yet he
been brought up on the best trained dres-
starting recognizing the value of dressage
retained a respect and admiration for the
sage horses available, he would tell me “I
training, they couldn’t bring themselves to
June/July 2013 use the term “dressage” so the word “flat”
gradually changed in the U.S. and today
became a standardized vocabulary word.
you see mostly warmblood horses with
I spent many hour “ flatting” hunters and
solid dressage training sweeping the hunt-
jumpers early in my career. I took a job
er and jumper championships across the
in a sale barn with the intent to learn the
country. As I said earlier in this article, I
hunter world, and to my surprise, all the
feel I had a small part of the “wall” crum-
horses I regularly schooled were the ones
bling. I doubt there will ever be a complete
that sold. The hunter trainer noticed the
unity between the two arenas, but they
pattern and a year after I had moved on,
are blending together today due to the
contacted me to thank me for showing him
understanding of balance and apprecia-
the value of flat work, which he incorpo-
tion in the eye of the beholder for a well
rated into his training regime.
trained, obedient, and adjustable horse
Although hunters are allowed to com-
that follows the arc of the line of travel
pete on the forehand, I discovered that
and can be ridden with ease and grace.
by combining the methods of dressage
Today, dressage methods have infiltrated
to strengthen the loins through collec-
the hunter and jumper arenas and even
tion, the horse could perform with more
though the long held attitudes between
strength and agility when returning to the
the two forces remains intact due to hu-
forehand. It was in the 90’s that I started
man nature, the horse tells the truth as the
importing warmbloods from Europe and
performances are being awarded by the
I soon discovered there was a market for
best trained horses with suppleness and
a horse which had a dressage foundation
agility, a testimony to the training.
that could also jump. All horses in Europe
To sum it up; Dressage for hunters and
are started in jumping before specializing,
jumpers when stated in simple terms is
and since there are no hunters in Europe,
“training” relative to the need.
I brought over many talented dressage
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About Sue Sue Kolstad is an S rated Dressage Judge, a recipient of all three USDF medals, Bronze, Silver and Gold. She has been active in Dressage for over 30 years. Her resume includes a teaching degree in education, Riding Instructor Certification from UW River Falls Wi., Vi Hopkins Symposium for Riding Instructors, participation in all educational potions of the USDF Instructor Certification program. Sue has trained and competed many horses through FEI levels including three at Grand Prix. Her background includes training extensively with a European Master for several years as well as continuing to train and clinic as often as possible with top clinicians and respected professionals both in the US and abroad. She is an avid reader and student of the history of dressage. Her love for the horse has led her in many directions and she has enjoyed horses
in multiple disciplines into which she has incorporated her background of dressage. Sue has evented through prelim, competed in combined driving, hunters, jumpers, endurance races, as well as showing sport horses, including stallion presentations. She has imported many horses from Europe which have gone on to produce champions in the US. Many of her students have won medals and championships through all the levels up to GP. Sue is devoted to education and the classical development of the sport of Dressage, which consumes her life. Not many people can say, “I love what I do and I do what I love!”
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Back to Basics Series
Show Ring Etiquette by Ashley Wren
W
ith show season upon us
and the other person, for the safety of both
very excited and I had to wrestle to rein in
and in full swing, both
the horses and riders. The rule of thumb is
and to regain complete control. However,
schooling and show ring
to leave enough room that another horse
there have been many sad cases, through-
could fit in the space.
out the nation and in all disciplines, where
etiquette is very important. In order to keep us all safer. Over the last 10 years, as
The rider on the inside is responsible
the stallion’s rider couldn’t regain control
I have traveled the country showing, I have
for the space since the rider on the outside
of the stallion and in which the stallion
noticed a marked decline in basic safety
has the rail preventing them from moving
injured or killed the mare’s rider as he
and etiquette, especially in the school-
farther over. There will be times during
mounted the mare. These incidents, along
ing ring, which resulted in some unneces-
schooling that the basic left shoulder to
with others involving another rider “cut-
sary accidents. When showing, we want to
left shoulder rule is not ideal for what you
ting off” someone in the ring, have lead
show our horses to their full potential, but
are doing with your horse. In these cases
to senseless accidents which could have
we need to remember that we share the
you can yell out to the other person “In-
easily been avoided by following simple
schooling and show ring with others.
side!” for the inside track or “Outside!” for
riding etiquette. When jumping in the schooling ring,
First and foremost is safety. Over the
the rail. Just remember to give enough
years, many unspoken rules of the ring
time so that the other rider can safely re-
remember to be aware of others.
spond to your request
same goes for those hacking while riders
have been passed down, and we all need
The
to remember and respect them for every-
When it comes to passing another
are jumping their horses. Do not cut or cir-
one’s well being. Remember that you do
horse/rider who is moving slower than
cle in front of a jump while a horse is ap-
not know the other horses in the ring; the
you and in the same direction, in either the
proaching it. This can cause a horrible col-
horse could be green and inexperienced,
schooling or show ring, be considerate!
lision. If you are approaching a jump it is a
nervous, an aggressive horse that kicks,
Pass with enough space between you and
good idea to “call your jump.” For example,
a stallion, etc., so following some simple
them, again leaving a space at least equal
if there is a vertical and an oxer present,
rules of etiquette I am going to discuss will
to another horse. Before moving back
then yell out the jump you intend to jump.
help keep everyone out of harm’s way.
over to the rail, glance over your shoulder
Yell “Vertical!” or “Oxer!” as you are about
When hacking a horse to warm it up
to make sure that there is enough room.
to turn to approach the said jump in order
along the rail in the schooling ring, there
About two horse lengths would be my sug-
to make the other riders aware where you
will be other horses and some will be
gestion.
are going.
traveling in the opposite direction. When
I cannot stress how important this is,
Another helpful tool in the ring or
a horse is coming towards you, remember
especially if you are riding a mare passing
anywhere on the show grounds, is yell-
that it is like driving a car. Pass left shoul-
a stallion. On multiple occasions I have had
ing “Heads up!” This is a very useful tool
der to left shoulder, so if you are traveling
a mare pass me while I was riding a stallion
in countless situations.
to the left you have the rail and the horse
and the rider moved over too soon, plac-
someone is about to cross in front of a
For example, if
traveling to the right is on the inside. Be
ing the mare’s hind end directly in front of
jump (either another rider or a grounds
sure to give plenty of space between you
the stallion’s nose. This made the stallion
person) then yell “Heads up!” to get their
Hope Carlin Photo
June/July 2013
attention to prevent a potentially bad
while in the schooling ring is something
The schooling and show ring rules
situation. “Heads up!” can be used when
we all are probably guilty of, but it is still
of etiquette, along with simple common
there is a loose horse, when someone is
very dangerous. Cell phones distract us
sense, are important in keeping everyone
not paying attention and about to cause a
from both our own horse and others in the
safe. Shows are meant to be fun and safe-
collision, etc. Please remember that if you
ring, and could keep us from responding
ty is a key to having a good, fun show for
hear it, to make yourself aware of the situ-
quickly in a bad situation. Another danger-
you and everyone else. If everyone were
ation and respond quickly.
ous practice is lunging in the school ring,
to follow these simple rules of etiquette, it
Another great tool, and one which al-
and it shouldn’t be done if there are riders
would allow you to more efficiently warm,
lows others to know information about
jumping. If there is no other area to safely
school, and show your horse.
your horse, is a colored ribbon in the tail.
lunge your horse and people are just hack-
This tradition is one that has been slowly
ing, be aware of your whip. Do not crack
fading, but it is one I strongly encourage
your whip as someone is riding near you
and which I hope to see become more com-
as it could easily spook the other horse
mon again. There are four different colors
and cause an accident.
Have a great and safe show season this year and for many years to come.
of ribbons used, each of which has its own specific meaning to convey to others at the show. Red is a very important color. It represents a horse that is more prone to aggressive actions towards other horses. Most commonly it denotes one that is known to kick at other horses but, on rare occasions, it can also include a biter. Another very important ribbon is a blue ribbon. This means the horse is a stallion, so if you are riding a mare, please be very aware of horses with a blue ribbon for reasons like the one I described earlier in the article. Green is a ribbon denoting a horse that is a young and inexperienced, easy to remember because the green color correlates to green horse. The last color that is used in ribbons is white, showing that the horse is for sale. Using cell phones to either talk or text
About Ashley Ashley began riding at age 2 and showing on the national circuit at age 6 on the east coast. During her junior career she had the opportunity to work with some of the Southeast best hunter jumper trainers. During college Ashley competed in IHSA and also coached various teams, was Regional Cacchione reserve champion 3 times, multiple zone and national placings, and 2006 National Sportsman Rider of the Year. Ashley became a professional in 2008, she owns and trains at Rimrock Equestrian Center a 160 acre 54 stall facility in Billings, MT. Since becoming a professional trainer, she is a certified equine appraiser, certified hunt seat and jumper trainer, a Montana Hunter Jumper Association board member, and USEF “L” judge. Ashley’s specialty is starting and training hunter jumpers, and
also likes working with difficult horses. Ashley holds many state, zone, and national rankings throughout her amateur and professional career. She also has trained successfully junior and adult riders, and has had students accepted in the USHJA EAP program. Ashley is also a Voltaire Design rider, Kerrits ambassador, and has various other sponsors.
87
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
Lorenzini Titanium Bits High tech and your horse’s mouth
T
he name Titanium comes from Greek mythology, according to which the Titans were sons of the Sky and the Earth, forced to live hidden underground among flames. Titanium was discovered in Great Britain in 1791 by William Gregor. The specific characteristics of this metal are: strength, lightness, resistance to pitting, biocompatibility, nonmagnetic and very low heat conduction. Titanium is chemically extracted from ilmenite and rutilio, that are present in the earth crust. Titanium is the only metal among 11,000 alloys and nonalloys known thus far to be completely biocompatible with the human body. Titanium is, by nature, covered by a layer of dioxide which destroys bacteria with great power, (not only staphylococcus, but also streptococcus, bacillus anthracis, legionella bacteria and so on) it’s effective against high polluting agents in the atmosphere (nitrogen dioxide, benzene, sulphur oxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and certain fine particles). Furthermore, it is a very low heat conductor and therefore it always
keeps a pleasant temperature to the touch. Being nonmagnetic, it creates a high protection net against the earth’s magnetic fields responsible for much dysfunctional behaviour both in humans and, even more so, in animals. Benefits It’s resistance to acid based elements in the horse’s mouth make for the bits extreme biocompatibility. Coupled with it’s lightness (the steel version weighs double) a bit in titanium is a valid alternative to the many bits on the market. As a number of tests have shown, once the bit is inserted inside the horses mouth, an abundant amount of saliva is produced with relaxation of the neck muscles while also reducing TMJ. Hand Tooled Every single piece of this unique collection from Lorenzini of Italy is produced with extreme care. Each component is made either by hand, such as the mouthpieces, threaded bars, melt welding, or by using high precision tools ( e.g. water-jet cutting system) as well. All this, together with a long craft
of tradition makes every bit a unique masterpiece. Selecting your bit Horses have different shaped mouths, which can include a high or low palate, thick tongue or lips. As a horse grazes it pushes the grass up into the palate with the tongue, then moves it to the back molars for the grinding action. When we place a bit in the mouth we should understand that the tongue would like to be able to move the bit somewhat. A Loose ring style allows the mouthpiece to move up or down on the ring, and the tongue. A fixed mouthpiece may float or lightly rest on the tongue or may be positioned higher in the mouth thereby creating the nutcracker action which is very uncomfortable. A horse will open his mouth to get away from the bit hitting the roof of his mouth. There are many shapes of mouthpieces, the single link, the lozenge three piece - which lays flatter and an anatomical shape to name a few. It’s important to pay attention to your horse and what he seems most happy with.
June/July 2013
The first step is to measure the mouth correctly for your new bit. Measure the width of the mouth either with a bit you have or a bit measurer. Secondly, examine the inside of your horses mouth. Does he have a fleshy tongue, thick lips and is his dental work up to date? Mouth peices come in varying thicknesses, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 21mm. Most horses are quite comfortable with the 18mm. If your horse doesn’t have much room in the mouth then a 16mm may suit him better. Arabians and Arabian sporthorses tend to have a lower palate and some attribute this to the concave or dish face - the muzzle tapering towards the mouth. Arabs tend to be very sensitive and appreciate the lightness of the Lorenzini Titanium bit. It lays softly on the tongue and bars. In our tests the Arabians seem most responsive to the taste and even
smell of the titanium. Some horses have an aversion to particular metals and may become fussy or even allergic to a bit for example; with nickle in the alloy. The endurance riders have embraced Titanium for it’s low heat conduction. It remains the same temperature in the mouth and does not heat up during a long ride. The increased amounts of electrolytes given to the competition horses may be reacting with certain alloys in the mouth causing the corners to burn, which are grounds for elimination. Not so with Titanium. There are many styles and sizes covering every discipline. For more information about the award winning Lorenzini Bits feel free to contact Kitty Garrity, Smith-Garrity, Ltd. sales director at 1-800-800-4261 or www.Lorenzinibits.com
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine IN HAND continued from page 59
psychological capabilities. Some would
still safety for both the handler and the
authority.
conclude that a yearling not be lunged for
horse, by implementing relaxation through
Not from a rude, or otherwise aggressive
more than 10 minutes. Reason being: he or
leadership and trust. Young horse’s are in
horse.
disobedience,
or
elder
she is unbalanced (create improper mus-
a constant state of changing balance, both
A trainer must also know when to step
cular development), could damage growth
physically and psychologically. It is up to
in at the right moment when handling the
plates, and/or joints are not developed cor-
you to be witness to the developing stages
horse. In order for the horse to understand
rectly. A two year old might have excellent
of your horse, and adapt a program that in-
what’s required during a training session,
balance, straight legs, and/or solid feet; but
fluences positive results.
a handler must act immediately and in a
could be mentally unprepared for a bridle.
Michael Brown has been handling
timely fashion. For example, when intro-
Its possible that a 16 hand three year old
young horses and stallions, and building
duced to the bridle or halter, it is best if
have a great temperament, but have issues
trust and confidence from the ground up
the horse does not pull away from the
working through building muscle from its
for many years. With well established
handler in avoidance of the bit or strap.
size and awkwardness. By understanding
ground work horses become easier and
This could turn into a very tough habit to
your horse, you can develop a program
safer to handle, and are able to be shown
break, both now and in the future, with ac-
that will enhance his or hers strengths, by
to their full potential. Michael is currently
ceptance of the bridle/halter and/or bit.
avoiding his or her weaknesses.
working towards his DSHB “r” Judges Li-
Think slow and methodical, rather than quick and abrupt. Discover your horse’s physical and
GOALS cont’d from page 63
A horse’s purpose in life is to seek
cense through USEF.
safety and to feel comfortable in its surroundings. As a trainer, your goal is to in-
of and dedication to the Arabian breed in
by knowledge and experience-- and mak-
your long term program. I had to make a
the early to mid-twentieth century helped
ing choices focused on achieving those
very hard decision some years ago. I had
to fuel worldwide interest in the breed.
goals –with necessary corrections along
the national champion stallion, Count Bazy
(She can certainly be credited with a “full
the way-- riders, trainers, and breeders of
++, … and I had his three-quarters brother,
quiver”!)
Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, and part-Arabian
AM Count Rafla, who never won a halter
In The Authentic Arabian Horse she ob-
sport horses can help reveal the wonder-
class in his life. But he was a tremendous
serves, “Arabians are pre-eminently riding
ful qualities of the Arabian to the wider
athlete. … I sold the national champion
horses and they have all the attributes that
sport horse world.
and kept AM Count Rafla. That was not a
make riding a delightful thing. An Arabian is
mistake, but one of the times when I was
more than a mere horse: he soon becomes
right. AM Count Rafla was a better breed-
as great a friend and companion as a dog,
ing horse. He was an ingredient not an end
and his beautiful action and kind temper
product. Count Bazy was not very success-
and his great intelligence make him a valu-
ful in the stud --he was an end product.”
able asset to the stable.” [pg 269] and “The
[pg 129] Mrs. T. understood that planning,
Arabian will, we hope, always remain the
testing, making adjustments from lessons
great regenerator of every breed under
learned, and aiming for improvement in
the sun, to be called in when others fail,
each generation was essential to devel-
to improve all qualities in all breeds, ex-
oping a solid breeding program. A wealth
cept speed in the Thoroughbred.” [pg 267]
of insights and lessons –“arrows for your
To what degree these assertions remain
quiver” can be found in And Ride Away
true must be tested and proven, but that
Singing: the Breeding Philosophy of Bazy
should not deter individuals who are truly
Tankersley and the History of Al-Marah Ara-
committed to exploring and cultivating
bians by Mary Jane Parkinson as well as in
the potential of the Arabian in the sport
A Field of Arabians.
horse realm.
The Arabian was once renowned both
This is an exciting time for the Arabian
as an exemplary riding horse and as an im-
sport horse community.
prover of other breeds. Many of us in the
exist to strengthen and expand interest
Arabian sport horse community believe
in and involvement with the Arabian as a
that many Arabians still possesses these
sport horse and in sport horse breeding.
qualities. Lady Wentworth’s lifelong study
By setting ambitious goals --tempered
Opportunities
About Dawn Dawn has been interested in the sport disciplines since the late 1980’s. She rode on the IHSA team in hunter equitation on the flat in college, has dabbled in low level eventing, and then fell in love with riding according to classical dressage principals. In 1998, Dawn sold her talented young Warmblood and bought her first Arabian after discovering the athleticism and delightful temperaments of the Arabian horse. After studying the history of the Arabian in the sport horse world, Dawn started Faerie Court Farm on 40 acres in Addison County Vermont where she is breeding and raising Arabian sport horses from CMK bloodlines with the help of her husband, Thom, who is perhaps the best horse husband in the world.
June/July 2013 REGGIE continued from page 61
another laser treatment on his eye since
of Illinois Veterinary Team, especially Dr.
home.
the fall of 2011, however, we continue to
Ralph Hamor and Dr. Amber Labelle, and
monitor the growth and return to the Uni-
Dr. Thomas Monfort.
This episode was the first time since Reggie’s hock injury that I had not consist-
versity of Illinois for checkups.
ently ridden him. Not only was I worried
When Dr. Labelle at the University of
about his eye and what the future held for
Illinois first met Reggie, it inspired her to
that issue, but also how he would move
start a research project on equine melano-
once he was able to be ridden again. I
ma. She has several horses participating
was pleasantly surprised by how great he
in the study and presented her findings at
moved from the start - it felt as though we
an international veterinary conference in
had not lost those couple of months under
Scotland in June of 2012.
MELANOMA continued from page 61 As a direct result of meeting Katie and Reggie, I began a study of intraocular melanomas in horses. I initially contacted members of the International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium (www.horseeyes. com) about cases of intraocular melanoma that these member veterinarians have seen in their careers. This study has spanned the Atlantic Ocean and now includes over 50 horses from 5 different countries. I collected information about the horses’ breed, age and sex in addition to information about the appearance of their intraocular melanoma and any skin melanomas. If the eye had been surgically removed as a result of the
Warmowski Photography
melanoma, we also looked at the removed eye tissue to analyze the pattern and features of the melanoma. At this time we are still collecting cases, but our preliminary results have been very interesting. The average age of horses affected with melanoma in this study was 12 years, and 25% of the horses were Arabians. A whopsaddle.
I will continue to never give up on my
ping 85% were grey, although cremello,
In the 2012 show season, we won the
Regalo, or “gift”. Reggie has blessed my
chestnut and bay coat colors were also ob-
Region XI Training Level ATR class and re-
life in more ways than I ever could have
served. Not all horses had a complete physi-
ceived Top Five in Training Level AAOTR.
imagined.
He taught me how uncondi-
cal examination by the ophthalmologist at
We received our highest score to date of
tional love can be. He taught me perse-
the time they were diagnosed with intraocu-
76.07% all helping Reggie earn his Legion
verance.
He taught me to never give up
lar melanoma, but of the horses for whom
of Excellence. For the first time in Reggie’s
on my dreams. He taught me to never give
physical examinations were recorded, 67%
career, we placed first in the USDF All-
up on those I love. He reminded me that
had evidence of skin melanoma.
Breeds Year-End Awards for both purebred
miracles do happen.
We are still collecting and analyzing
Training Level Open and Training Level
Every day, I am thankful for Reggie be-
information and thus no final conclusions
Adult Amateur. We also ranked eighth in
ing in my life. I am reminded of that as Reg-
have been made, but we are looking forward
the USDF Adult Amateur Year-End Award
gie just had his fifteenth birthday. I never
to sharing this information with the veteri-
for Training Level! My little gray Arab, who
take any moment with him for granted. I
nary community in 2013. My hope is that
had overcome so much, who I was told
know we will face many more challenges
this information will spur further studies
would never be more than a children’s’
in the future, but that is ok. We will get
about the causes of intraocular melanoma
pony, was ranked nationally with the big
through them together and I will always
and the development of effective treatments.
boys!
fight for him.
Katie and Reggie have been the source of
Reggie has not had maintenance injections in his hock since January 2010.
**Special thanks to all of those who love
I have him on a joint supplement, he has
and care for Reggie including Dr. John
corrective shoeing and every day, he con-
O’Keefe and Dr. Rachel Boyce of Heartland
tinues to move better. Reggie has not had
Equine Health Center, LLC, the University
inspiration for this research, and I hope to honor their bond by bringing new information about intraocular melanoma to light.
91
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine
On The Market PHOTO CLASSIFIED ADS - $10 per ad per issue Austins Black Arabians presents Octavius, a beautiful designer future sport horse. A stunning grey Anglo Arabian, he should mature 16+hhs. His mother has awesome movement an a nature Dressage and Hunter. Octavius is reasonably priced at $10,000. For more information or to see our Black Straight Egyptian Arabian, and more Designer Sport horses call 913-5796276 or 913-579-3772 or view our web sites at www.austinsblackarabians.net or www.foreverarabianfarms.webs.com
Sheikspere In Love (Perry) 2007 bay 15.0h arabian stallion. Sired by Regal Actor out of an Eternety mare. Old Crabbet and Abu Farwa lines. Super disposition, very sweet and willing. Under saddle 30 days with FEI rider and doing very well. Recently Region 7 sporthorse stallion champion in-hand at his first show! MUST sell. Asking 5k but open to terms. 480-330-0380
I Roses Bloom - Fillies like this are few and far between. Roses Bloom is by the incomparable Hanoverian stallion *Rosenthal and out of a Pure Polish, GOV Main Mare book approved Arabian mare. At her inspection, GOV inspectors described this filly’s type as “exceptional” and “her legs and feet are perfect, just what we are looking for.” This dual registered GOV/HAHR filly has unlimited potential in the dressage, eventing or hunter ring for both the arabian and open venue . A gorgeous filly, with an exquisite, expressive face, Roses will also make a tremendous companion with her loving and trainable disposition. This truly is a once in a lifetime filly from a tremendous pedigree. $9500 Contact: morgan.millner@gmail phone: 214 770 5711 Motivation I - Athletic, beautiful, tall colt with unlimited performance potential. Motivation I is a son of the Reserve National Champion Jumper AO Breeze out of a excellent 15.3hh daughter of *Doran SBFAR (sire of Oration) who is out of *Mufka PASB, one of the leading racing dams of the Polish imports. Here is a rare chance to own the blood of the great Doran in combination with AO Breeze- the only living Arabian stallion with wins in Open Jumpers and US National Halter (per Arlene Magid). $5000 Contact: morgan.millner@gmail phone: 214 770 5711 Moryah Wind I - Incredible yearling filly already off to a great show start! Sport horse in hand winner and 2x Reserve Halter Champion with 2 months of professional halter training. Sired by Reserve National Open Jumper Champion AO Breeze and out of the Pure Polish US National Top 10 Hunter Futurity and winning SHIH/SHUS mare TA Mariella (*Kordelas x Makarena). Definite National caliber halter with unlimited dressage and hunter potential. Steal this filly at $7500. Contact: morgan.millner@gmail phone: 214 770 5711
June/July 2013
93
Services Our Services Directory is available for just an annual fee of $25 (6 issues). Subject Headers created as needed. Not for Stallions or Horses for Sale.
FARMS 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, Tryon, NC Training, Clinics, Instruction thru the FEI levels • sophie@montana.net
15.1 h Registered Anglo Arab mare for sale. EF Serendipity is a 2008 bay mare who is ready to get her serious training off the ground. She has been started by a professional dressage trainer and cross-trained by a professional eventer/jumper trainer. She has been out on trails alone and in groups. She has gone over logs and galloped thru fields alone. She has been to a rated show at 16 rides u/s and took it all in stride. She is currently hacking and schooling just 2 days a week as her owner has no time for her now that show season is in full swing. Come get her and finish her off your way, priced to move at $4900, bring offers. VIDEOS AVAILABLE. Pam Dors, Evergreen Farm 540-955-0529 evergreendors@juno.com LIFE continued from page 43
Our girl came fairly quiet under saddle,
It has been a very long time since ei-
I assume they
with a few random holes in her education,
ther Will or I had gone in search of a riding
were shown on the line to begin with in
and some amount of emotional baggage.
horse. It made us appreciate the buyers
the hope of selling them. Therefore, that
I like mares and I choose to think I under-
that do arrive at our barn door. The whole
cost falls under the category of market-
stand them, so I felt comfortable that any
search process was a good reminder of
ing expenses and not training. I think that
of those issues could be resolved amica-
how buyers consider a horse for sale. Usu-
competitors in the various sport horse
bly. Early on we realized that her previous
ally, I go shopping in my own back yard.
disciplines would be much more open to
rider had used force. Our girl prefers to be
It was educational, to say the least, to be
considering a horse with “show” horse
asked rather than told. Like many mares
on the other side. We are happy with our
experience if the asking price had some
she hates to be nagged by your leg. I can
little girl. It took us only a month or so to
correlation to the horse’s ability AND they
say with some certainty that she was like-
find her. Yet another six months to decide
could figure out from the advertising if the
ly hobbled to produce an unnatural gait.
to make her ours and we could not be
horse was remotely capable of performing
Hobbling makes a horse unsure of where
more sure that we made the right choice.
the task required. Every time I encounter
to put their feet and is something that only
After all, according to Willis, there is noth-
the term “well bred” I think, “well bred for
miles and miles at the walk can undo. She
ing better than an Arab mare for riding the
what?”
came to the right place for that.
wind.
value to the purchaser.
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine INSPECTIONS continued from page 25
you’re riding, bending and counter bend-
motion and better use of the shoulder -
if you can gallop. Galloping will lengthen
ing on a circle at the walk allowing the
benefiting everything you do in sport.
the muscles, help your mare really get in
horse to stretch into a free walk frame is a
I’d like to end this with a little pep talk.
front of your leg and it encourages them
great way to stretch as a warm up and cool
I truly encourage all Arabian sport horse
to be forward. Trail riding also allows you
down exercise. This also allows your mare
breeders to attend and participate in a
to add some hill work, which is very good
to step bigger in a relaxed frame, which re-
warmblood inspection.
for building muscle and strengthens their
ally helps for a better walk in hand.
exercises will increase your chances of
Following these
hind ends. I like to mix things up on the
Next, I’d like to point out key factors to
getting good scores and being accepted
trail with bending and transitions. I find
getting good scores in your gaits is free-
into the registry you choose. The judges
that if I get my mare out once or twice a
dom through the shoulder, relaxation and
will appreciate a well conditioned and
week she has a better mind set for work-
impulsion. Ground poles and cavalettis
well groomed mare that is well prepared
ing. I’ve also seen big improvements in
will help stretch out the shoulders and
for their process of selecting outside
her walk and canter work.
teach them to really reach and have a bet-
breeding mares into their registry’s breed-
I want to take this time to really ad-
ter range of motion. Under saddle you can
ing books.
dress the walk. As I mentioned before,
add some simple exercises to your warm
Go with confidence and have an open
this is where most Arabians will fall short
up and cool down that will really help free
mind. I have found that many judges, even
in their scores. Spend a lot of time hand
up the shoulder. Again, while walking on a
if Arabians are not their cup of tea, will
walking. Walk with a purpose having your
big circle in a long and low relaxed frame,
really give an honest evaluation of your
mare stay right with you, lengthen your
start moving your horse’s shoulder. Push
mare. They will approve the good ones.
stride to get your mare to lengthen hers.
the shoulder in on the circle maintaining
Most important thing to remember, they
Do not walk quicker, just walk with a big-
contact, then push the shoulder out on the
are not looking at pedigrees and they are
ger stride, your mare will learn to stay with
circle. Fall in, fall out.
not looking for the perfect Arabian. They
you and follow your lead.
When hand
As you do this allow your horse to
are looking for Arabians with correct con-
walking I like to do some little exercises
stretch through the contact into a free walk
formation and good gaits to help create
that mix it up a bit. “Whoa/Go” is fun to do
frame. Some instantly take the stretch and
top of the line riding horses. With this
at the walk and teaches your mare to not
allow you to move the shoulders in and
in mind, go and enjoy the education and
only pay attention, but helps her engage
out easily, others you will have to be pa-
process that comes with participating in an
her hindquarters.
tient and keep asking. Once they get it,
inspection.
While walking, half halt before you
this will be a very easy exercise and will
halt. Then back to walk. Repeating this a
fit perfectly into your everyday routine.
few times will get your mare under herself
By loosening up the shoulders before you
for a better length of stride in her walk. If
begin working, you will see more range of
June/July 2013 BACK TO WORK cont’d from page 57 treatment once.
Prior to leaving for Idaho, I went to a du-
and how no stone was left unturned in
al-judged Region 4 and 5 show to tune up
Khajun’s conditioning and joint comfort
and confirm my horse had enough stamina
program. I believed that after all these
Throughout Khajun’s regimen, I felt
to compete in multiple classes and cuts. I
years, I was bringing the best version of
like I owed him a couple of concessions.
was excited because one of the dressage
Khajun to Nationals: a horse with the con-
First, since his ‘retirement,’ he had become
judges was also a Nationals judge. There
fidence that comes with age, possessing
an outside horse. He liked it this way, and
I competed in Sport Horse In-Hand, Under
the correct training, and enough fitness to
I allowed him to continue to live outside
Saddle, Dressage Training and First Lev-
get through the week.
in his field throughout the show season.
els, and Hunt Seat Equitation Not to Jump
An Unlikely Champion
Khajun certainly delivered: Reserve
The only time he got stalled
National Champion in Dressage
was when we went to shows
Training Level AAOTR (20 en-
during those six months. In
tries); Top Ten (3rd overall out
hindsight, this was beneficial.
of 22) Dressage Training Level
He didn’t ever get stocked up
ATR; Top Ten (3rd overall out of
in the legs and he maintained
10) Hunt Seat Equitation Not to
good respiratory health that
Jump ATR; Top Ten (17 entries)
he often didn’t have in earlier
Dressage First Level AAOTR; and
years where barn dust aggra-
Top Ten Dressage First Level ATR
vated his breathing giving him
(15 entries).
bouts with heaves. Secondly,
The cross-training condition-
when I initially turned him out
ing program that I used turned
to pasture, I cut off his long
my diamond-in-the-rough into a
tail to his fetlocks and told
shining super star while keeping
him he’d never have to have
him sound and taking the mo-
his tail wrapped again. I kept
notony out of his work by add-
that promise. His beautiful
ing variety. Although it wasn’t
flaxen tail was just as lovely,
my plan to take my old gelding
and looked more legitimately
to the 2012 Arabian Sport Horse
like a sport horse’s tail prob-
Nationals, in the end, it felt like
ably ought to look, which is
it was meant to be. There will be
an important consideration
another opportunity for Annie
since us sport horse exhibi-
and me in 2014, and believe me,
tors show to open judges.
I‘ll be ready.
Come
show
season,
Khajun exceeded my expectations. He had transformed from an old, fat, hairy stiff retiree, to a
and took home 12 firsts, 3 seconds and
sleek, conditioned, muscled and bouncy
a third. Additionally, Khajun and I earned
show horse whose enduring willingness
a 71.61% and a whopping 74.8% in our
so typical of an Arabian inspired me. At the
dressage tests - with the nationals judge!
Region 5 Championships he was Champion
Needless to say, I was believing our cross-
Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle ATR (16
training and hard work were paying off!
entries), Reserve Champion A/HA/AA Dres-
In September, I drove nine and a half
sage First Level ATR (11 entries), Reserve
hours to Nampa, Idaho. My husband and
Champion in Hunt Seat Equitation ATR (7
daughter came along for the ride in our
entries), and earned Top 5’s in A/HA/AA
¾ ton truck and two-horse trailer. As I
Dressage Training Level ATR (3rd overall
parked it alongside the mile-long row of
with 15 entries), and Arabian Sport Horse
semi-trucks and mega trailers, I could have
Under Saddle Open (4th overall out of 17).
easily been beaten mentally before even
If there were any doubts before about his
stepping hoof in the ring. But I thought of
competitiveness, they were gone now!
the last six months, how hard we worked
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The Arabian Sport Horse Magazine SISTERS continued from page 65
North American Anglo-Arabian Horse Association
National Show & Year End Awards for Anglo-Arabians in the Sport Disciplines
explained to me the management of a
from horse shopping knowing that “the
Kenney Garde 2B mares; I had realistic ex-
heart wants what it wants” and sought af-
pectations and gave the okay to proceed.
ter Piaff again.
Dr. Stanford bred the mare 5.5 hours post
Dreams and accomplishments can
ovulation with frozen semen; she ovulated
never happen by saying “I cannot, it is
3 follicles, so utrasounding for twins at
impossible or I give up,”negative actions
day 14 was mandatory. Found twins and
never get positive results.
one was pinched off and placed mare on
During spring 2012, I was very fortu-
Regumate – hoping she would hold onto
nate and blessed to purchase a breeding to
the foal. For 11 very long months, under
Piaff; excitement and anticipation of own-
Dr. Stanford’s care directives, guidance
ing another Piaff x Virag offspring began
and office visits, we successfully managed
again. I knew breeding Virag at 14 years
the mare at home to term.
old may hold some challenges and had a
On April 29, 2013 Virag delivered at
uterine culture test performed. Lab results
Woodside Equine a healthy, vibrant bay
concluded the mare was rated as a “Ken-
filly by Piaff! Yet to be named, as we are
ney Garde 2B,” not for the faint of heart
holding out for a very special name, as she
because mares statistically only have a 10
is truly a miracle baby for Virag and Show-
to 50 percent chance of conceiving and
biz Farm.
caring a foal to term.
This article is dedicated to Bill and Sarah Dolinger, Woodside Equine-Dr. Stanford and Dr. Hammond; Cabin Point Equine-Dr. Cupp, Dr. Janey, Dr. Hillyer; Janow Podlaski Stud; Piaff Partners; The Galluns; Kelly Rodriguez; Bruce and Cindy Carpenter; Susan and Temple Robinson; Karen Martin; Andrea and Matt Bulifant; Robert and Denise Gainey; Judy Getter; Donald and Angie Williby; John and Sharon Turnbull; Gene Sober; Dana Donahue; Cathy Davis;The Garlands; Greg Peak; Rob Simpson; Beth Conti; Gretchen McCormick; Shelly Ellsworth Brown; Kara Hite; Janet Bellows; Kathy St. Martin; Dr. William Ley; Bill Payne; Margret Gafford; Arabian Horse Community, RPSI, friends and family, without your support, successes of Countess of Piaff and our new 2013 filly may not have happened. When you see the filly out at the shows or come to the farm for a visit, please take your picture with her and know YOU were part of her history in the making.
What to do now? There is nothing in the world like a great support system, and I found the Arabian Horse Community to be the very best. I contacted many Arabian breeders and asked “What would you do?” I received honest pros and cons; as well as, researching on the Chronicle of the Horse breeders forum from others who had Kenney Garde 2B mares. Cindy Carpenter of Watching Hawk Arabians told me “You need a vet that performs miracles, one that specializes in equine reproduction.” I sought out the expertise of Dr. David Stanford, Diplomat of Equine Reproduction at Woodside Equine.
Dr. Stanford
completed an evaluation of Virag and
Learn more at NAAAHA.com
B
Preserve Your
June/July 2013
Winning Moments
Bob Tarr Photography • Cincinnati, Ohio • (513) 851-8529 • www.BobTarr.com • Bob@BobTarr.com
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