This Year’s Show The 2014 Santa Ynez Arabian Foal Festival came in at its target enrollment, which was approximately the same as last year’s, at 75 to 80 horses. The halter classes were divided by age and gender, while the in-hand trail event was an opportunity to see what some of the young Arabians would be suited for when they grew up. The judges were Janene Boggs and George Zbyszewski in the show division, and Lori Conway and Cynthia Richardson in the performance division (halter classes
Judges, l-r: Lori Conway, George Zbyszewski, Janene Boggs and Cynthia Richardson
focusing on suitability for later careers in performance). As usual, after each class, one judge from the panel explained the first and second-place ribbon choices to the audience. That was just one example of the educational aspect of the Foal Festival. Another was apparent on Saturday evening following the last class. With many famous Arabians from years past living in the Santa Ynez Valley, the club offered the perspective of history—and a heartwarming presentation of influential horses. Manny Lawrence, of Jade Creek Arabians, brought his 29-year-old Khemosabi daughter, Canadian National Champion Fforever Rose, and thoroughly enjoyed watching her in her first show ring appearance in 17 years. “It was so cute to see her,” he smiles. “Her eyes lit up and she started prancing around.” For him, it was the sort of special, personal moment appropriate to the Foal Festival. “She was one of my first-ever purchases in the horse business. She’s queen bee of our farm.” Also on Saturday night, the Santa Ynez Valley Arabian Horse Association recognized the Mari family for its contribution to the breed. Horseman Frisco Mari was known as one of the first importers of Polish Arabians after World War II, and stood the stallion Ferseyn, who proved to be a dynamic cross with the Polish lines. He bred the Ferseyn son Amerigo, sire of one of the breed’s most popular individuals, four-time national champion Khemosabi. On Sunday afternoon, after all the championships had been handed out, the show awarded “Best” titles for Small Breeder, Large Breeder, Sire and Handler. It is easy to see, however, that for the Best Handler, the title might have bittersweet implications: amateurs who become too accomplished have to step aside in favor of the incoming new amateurs.
Best Small Breeder (under 5 foals) awarded to Gallún Farms.
The Mari family, recognized for their contribution to the breed. 140 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Kristy Gillot received the Best Handler Award.