Stone Ridge Arabians: Breeding For The Future by Theresa Cardamone

Conway Arabians: “Bred To Move You”

by THERESA CARDAMONE

Peter and Lori Conway have been invested in the Arabian horse industry for a very long time. Their photo scrapbook even contains an image of Lori with the immortal *Bask when she worked at Lasma Arabians. Conway Arabians was established, “in hopes of breeding, raising, and training the finest Arabians and Half-Arabians in the world.”

Their slogan “Bred to Move You,” inspires their efforts as breeders and owners of many memorable performance horses.

A case in point is also Peter’s favorite show memory, the 2018 United States Nationals, where Conway’s powerhouse Coltrane, a striking black son of IXL Noble Express and Brassmis, was named the unanimous Open Park Horse Champion. What elevated that amazing achievement into “favorite” status occurred later in the same session, when Peter’s “favorite horse,” Noble Rendezvous (IXL Noble Express x Renee Afire, by Afire Bey V) made it a double by scoring her own unanimous victory in the Open Country English Pleasure finals. The high-trotting mare is also a Canadian National Champion Country English Pleasure Junior Horse, and recently made a return to the show ring with Lori after a several-year hiatus for breeding.

With no successful pregnancies, the Conways decided to give the mare an opportunity to compete again. “She deserves it because she really loves the show ring,” says Lori. “And I love riding her. She loves to perform.” Noble Rendezvous is among five horses on the farm’s abbreviated show string, and she and Lori recently earned a Region 12 Reserve Championships in their return to competition, with their sights set on the U.S. Nationals. “2022 is a transition year for us. Our decision to relocate includes scaling back operations temporarily, including showing,” Lori explains. “And on the breeding side, we usually have 12-24 foals but are only expecting seven due to the timing of the move.”

The big move in question came after more than two years of searching for suitable horse property in a milder climate. Peter and Lori also craved a supportive equine community, which they found in Ocala, Florida. The unique farm they settled on has a special place in Arabian horse history. Built by Alec and Louise Courtelis in the 1980’s, the site became known as Lasma South, the southern extension of the fabled Lasma Arabians dynasty. Caretaking the property where many famous horses had lived and are buried is meaningful to the Conways and connects them directly to its living history. They are heartened that all their 89 horses are safely ensconced in its verdant green pastures in the Sunshine State.

With a state-of-the-art breeding facility now at their fingertips, Conway Arabians is thrilled to be bringing Coltrane home to head the stallion roster for their English breeding program. On the western side, they are standing U.S. National Top Ten Western Pleasure Junior Horse and AAOTR Maturity Cool River Kid (Sundance Kid V x Moments to Treasure). He is also the 2021 U.S. National ABS Arabian Stallion Performance Halter AAOTH Reserve Champion.

The major transitions taking place have done nothing to dim the farm’s vision that Arabian horses “should be strong, sound athletes that are beautiful to behold and a pleasure to be around. Merely being pretty is not enough; the horses of Conway Arabians are ‘doing’ horses, bred to have the conformation and temperament to perform in the show ring or on the trail.” In their magnificent new setting, Lori and Peter Conway vow to continue their efforts to produce new generations of horses “Bred to Move You.” u