Arabian Horse Times - Vol. 49 No. 10

2019 ISSU E #5 $22.50

F E A T U R I N G

& LOLLIE AMES

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Beloved One NA+ x Rohara MarcAlyssa

2018 REGION XII CHAMPION 2019 TUNICA SHOW UNANIMOUS GRAND CHAMPION JUNIOR STALLION

Beloved One NA+ x Valori TRF+

2018 REGION XV UNANIMOUS CHAMPION 2019 MAGNOLIA SPRING CLASSIC UNANIMOUS GRAND CHAMPION JUNIOR STALLION

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Contents Issue 5 • Volume 49, No. 10

12

Ar abian Horse Times | 1 | Volume 49, No. 10

49English

8

Sharing Envision!

by Mary Trowbridge

10

Leaders Of The Times: Eleanor’s Arabians

by Christy Egan

12

2019 Rising Stars

42

Desiderio Tranquillity Farm: A Devoted Family Dynasty Of Equine Educators

2english

Saddle Seat Cover Story: Inception

4english

Today’s Saddle Seat

49english

Saddle Seat Leaders

106

*Oran Van Crabbet, A Love Letter

by Catherine Cole Ferandelli

by Christy Egan

by Stephen Kinney

114

by Evie Tubbs Sweeney

32nd Annual Darley Awards Returns To Its Roots

118

Arabian Horse Friendships: Christena Ferran Roell & Beth Harrison Runyan

124

2nd Annual Carousel Arabian Gelding Spectacular

131

by Christy Egan

Cedar Ridge Arabians Celebrates 50 Years

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6

Comments From The Publisher

46

Faces & Places

48

In My Opinion … AHA: We Are Members—That Makes Us Owners

116

Our Town … Carpe Diem

126

Calendar Of Events

128

Index Of Advertisers

On The Cover: PERFINKA (Esparto x Perfirka), with Lollie Ames, on lease to Cedar Ridge Arabians from Bialka State Stud.

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www.RoyalArabians.com Scottsdale, Mesa & Rio Verde, Arizona | Cindy McGown & Mark Davis, Owners | 480.361.6926 | info@RoyalArabians.com Ar abian Horse Times | 5 | Volume 49, No. 10

Comments From The Publisher Publisher Lara Ames Managing Editor Charlene Deyle Advertising Account Executives Tony Bergren Lesley Blain Mazur Contributing Editors Mary Kirkman Contributing Writers Christy Egan Catherine Cole Ferandelli Riyan Rivero Evie Tubbs Sweeney Production Manager Jody Thompson Art Director/ IT Support Specialist Anthony Ferguson Print & Web Design Wayne Anderson Melissa Pasicznyk Show Operations/ Media Support Specialist Meaghan Estes Sales Assistant Hannah Freitag AHT Abroad Representative Mieke Opsteyn Office Manager/ Accounts Payable Sara Thomas Accounts Receivable Deb Trebesch

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Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Articles or opinions published by the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times are not necessarily the expressed views of the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times.

AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times is not responsible for the accuracy of advertising content or manipulation of images that are provided by the advertiser.

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES (ISSN 0279-8125) Volume 49, No. 10, May 2019, is published monthly, except March and November, by AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times, 20276 Delaware Avenue, Jordan, Minnesota 55352.

Periodical postage paid at Jordan, Minnesota 55352 and at additional entry offices. Single copies in U.S. and Canada $22.50. Subscription in U.S. $80 per year, $140 two years, $200 three years. Canada $130 one year, $250 two years, $340 three years, U.S. funds. Foreign Subscriptions: $190 one year, $320 two years, $380 three years, payable in advance, U.S. funds. Sorry, no refunds on subscription orders. For subscription and change of address, please send old address as printed on last label. Please allow four to six weeks for your first subscription to be shipped. Occasionally ARABIAN HORSE TIMES makes its mailing list available to other organizations. If you prefer not to receive these mailings, please write to ARABIAN HORSE TIMES, Editorial Offices, 20276 Delaware Avenue, Jordan, MN 55352.

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My Family And Their Arabian Horse Dream In my family, you don’t blow your own horn.

You were raised to try your hardest to succeed in business and win in the show ring if you could, but other than promotional advertising for your business or horse, you kept your mouth shut. So, since I have owned the magazine—over 10 years now—I have always been careful not to put my family or our farm in the spotlight (my mother teases me that when AHT’s founder, Walter Mishek, owned the magazine, he always included photos of her, and now she never sees herself ). This, then, is the first time that my family is on the cover, and there is a reason for it.

The year 2019 marks the Ames family’s 50th year in the Arabian horse business, and we are celebrating. When my parents founded Cedar Ridge Arabians in Jordan, Minn., in 1969, there were several longtime Arabian breeding programs. Now, there are very few, and we are proud to be among them. We have bred horses and shown in just about every discipline, and win or lose, we have loved it all. Over the years we’ve seen many changes in the horse industry, but that one thing—the love of the Arabians themselves—has always been constant.

I am so very thankful to my grandparents and my parents for sharing their knowledge of horses with me and my brothers and sisters. My mission now is to pass on what I have learned to future generations. My parents were dedicated to promoting the Arabian horse; this is and will always be a huge part of our life. And I’m proud to say that this magazine, which began in 1971, is also nearing its half-century mark, and its stellar legacy gives it an important role in the Ames family commitment to the breed.

I hope you enjoy this very special issue, which I am dedicating to my parents. The Arabian horse is magical and its role in our life has been magical. It has made our life, as my dad was fond of saying, “a dream come true.”

Lara Ames Lara Ames Publisher

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Ar abian Horse Times | 7 | Volume 49, No. 10

SHARING

BY MARY TROWBRIDGE

W

e hope you have seen a copy of the outreach magazine, Envision, that has been included in the Times over the last year, with a newcomer-friendly guide about the Arabian horse. Produced since last January by Arabian Horse Times and available for only the cost of shipping to whomever would like to distribute copies in their area, the magazine is a lovely tool to help you spread the word about Arabian horses to the outside world.

Published as a quarterly magazine, the 24-36 page stand alone piece is the brain child of publisher Lara Ames and advertising specialist Jenn Trickey. Beautifully designed and populated with stories and photos chosen to piquĂŠ the interest of non-horse people, the magazine includes in each issue a listing of lesson programs and Discovery Horse Farms throughout the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, it now includes a spot on the back cover for you to personalize each magazine with your own contact information; perhaps a business card stapled to that area, while also inserting your post card inside, highlighting your own lesson program. They can then be disbursed to friends and clients throughout your program and area, to help place them around.

Where, do you ask? The world is your oyster! The Envision magazine became the core of a number of successful community outreach events for farms, clubs and horse shows around the country in 2018; a notable one being the Empire Arabians Envision Outreach and Fundraiser event at their Spring Horse Show in Syracuse, NY. The magazine, distributed to schools, restaurants, 4-H clubs, and doctor and dentist offices, just to name a few, along with outreaching to local news and radio outlets, brought over 300 people from the community to the horse show on a Saturday evening in May. Ar abian Horse Times | 8 | Volume 49, No. 10

Coloring contests, color commentary during the horse show, a potluck barn party and photo opportunities with a real, live Arabian horse Unicorn brought families into the arena and barn, and the online stallion service auction the club put on paid for the entire 3rd edition of the Envision magazine! Not only that, the event earned the club a nomination for Outstanding Outreach at the 2018 convention and brought many new and past Arabian horse lovers to the event.

Breed expos have also been a popular area for distributing the magazine, including Equine Affair in Ohio and Massachusetts, Minnesota, California and Northwest Horse Expos, WEG, and Breyerfest, just to name a few. Michigan State University capitalized with a front cover story on their program which is allowing them to continue to use the magazine at every college recruiting event they attend.

Area hotels are always happy to have information on local things for guests to do, and we have found that the magazine’s beautiful layout, exquisite photos and stories that are geared specifically and only to non-horse people have been welcomed by both area hotels and high end restaurants that often have a waiting list and like something for patrons to look at while they wait. Of course, hospital waiting rooms, doctors’ offices, dentists, etc., are all prime places to drop off a few copies when you are visiting.

Other great places who welcome issues include local tack shops, feed stores, vets and even Petco and other small animal pet stores.

A favorite technique for this author was to take a moment on the way out of one of our area horse shows last year in the restaurant parking lot adjacent to the Eastern States Exposition Grounds where we were showing, and leave an Envision magazine with a note stapled to it to attend the show that weekend under each windshield wiper of the 100 or so cars at this high-end restaurant. No car alarms were triggered, and the number of people wandering through the aisles over the weekend was noticeably increased over previous shows. We will be using that technique again. We also noticed at a recent schooling show that we hosted, that not one issue of the 100+ we set out on our tables was left at the end of the day!

Envision is also always looking for new stories about how your Arabian horses and program are influencing people beyond our community boundaries, and all of the MANY ways that Arabians make life better for humans. Please share those stories with us and contact us if you would like YOUR program highlighted to use in conjunction with your own local efforts to expand the breed.

Email: mary@trowbridgesltd.com or jenn@jenntrickey.com Join us! Envision the endless possibilities and let your imagination be your guide to how you can utilize this magazine to expand the Arabian horse community. For issues, contact Arabian Horse Times, 1-800-248-4637. n

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Leaders Of The Times:

Eleanor’s Arabians

by Christy Egan

From top left clockwise: HESA ARTFULL ZEE & Gary Ferguson, HEZA FIRE WALKER & Eleanor Hamilton, EAF HESA LITTLE WHIZ & Lance Scheffel, EAF HESA COMET & Rod Matthiesen, SHEZA MELODY JAC & Pam, Madison and Justin Rose.

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E

leanor Hamilton’s horse program is now over 35 years old and the venerable horsewoman and breeder of National winning Arabian and Half-Arabian working western horses is herself a very young and spirited 83. Still breeding, raising and riding reiners at her farm, north of the twin cities in Minnesota, Eleanor is the first to point out that she owes her love of horses and probably much of her strength and determination, to a childhood of riding and cattle ranching in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

“We did everything with the horses at the ranch,” Eleanor remembers. “We rode them to work cattle, to work the fields and to get us kids to school in all kinds of weather. Those horses of my childhood are the reason I will always breed and own horses with sound conformation and great, peopleoriented temperament and trainability. My Arabian horses will always be working horses first. I love a handsome horse, but it’s critically important that mine be honest and get their jobs done. My dad’s horses worked cattle in the Sandhills day after day, all four seasons, and never let us down. This memory of sound, dependable horses is the very soul of my Arabian and Half-Arabian breeding program.”

BUILT BY PEPPY & Lance Scheffel

Eleanor’s initial bloodlines are based on the *Muscat son, Crown Musc+, a solid and reliable stallion, and Eleanor’s first, good show horse. Then, Eleanor brought home the great national winning stallion, Hesa Zee+/ in 1995. Hesa Zee+/ took Eleanor’s Arabians to an entirely new level. In the past several years (almost continuously after his passing in 2015), Hesa Zee+/ has consistently been the leading working western Arabian sire in the breed.

At the 2018 U.S. National Championships, Hesa Zee+/ was the sire of National Champions Zee Fire Storm, Hesa Cassanova+, Zee Fire Ball and Art By Hesa. At that same show, National and Reserve National Champions out of Hesa Zee daughters included WGA Ima Copy Katnic+//, Nspiring For The Top+//, Dunit My Way RA, Half Spoon Of Pepto, Dunit On Fyre RA, Hollywood Firecracker+/ and EAF Hesa Little Whiz. It’s not hard to see that this is a bloodline and program breeding on strongly into the future.

At the 2019 Scottsdale show, Hesa Artfull Zee (2018 Canadian National Champion Open Reining) was Scottsdale Reserve Champion Arabian Reining Futurity (with Gary Ferguson), and Art By Hesa was Scottsdale Reserve Champion Arabian Reining/ARHA Maturity (with Colby Powell).

Both horses are sired by Hesa Zee+/.

EAF LIL RED CORVETE & Melvin Helmuth

Eleanor’s breeding manager, Mark Coombs, says that the farm is expecting 2019 purebred and Half-Arabian foals sired by Hesa Zee+/, and Half-Arabian foals by Busy Winning Chex, Justa Genuine Jack and Romanek. Quarter Horse mares Shiny Wranglers (Roosters Wrangler) and Paddys Nu Diamond (Paddys Irish Whiskey) are both expecting foals by Hesa Zee+/ in the next few weeks. Sheza Velvet Rose (Hesa Zee+/), a Region 10 Reining Champion, produced the first foal of the season by San Jacinto Jullyen V on February 18th. The new baby has a beautiful face and a classy little star. On March 13th, Miss Muscana (Hesa Zee+/), a full sister to 5-time National Champion and Reserve Reining, EAF Hesa Wizard+, delivered Eleanor’s foal number two, a handsome buckskin filly by Busy Winnin Chex (Nu Chex To Cash).

Eleanor’s Arabians are trained at home by Rod Matthiesen, and sent out for training to Gary Ferguson, Pam Rose and Lance Scheffel. n Ar abian Horse Times | 11 | Volume 49, No. 10

LADY MUSCANA+ & Gary Ferguson

RISING

STARS A young life that could have taken any direction, they chose the horse world, seeking and earning respect, show ring experience, connections and general wisdom along the way. Vociferous with passion and enthusiasm and try, the rising stars of 2019 set out to do big things in the evolution of the Arabian breed.

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Skylar Powell, bottom with Eightyniner in 1998; and above, APAHA’s 2018 Rising Star Award Winner.

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Everyone knows...

Victoria’s Secret and roses go hand-in-hand

the best kept secret of 2019 Victoria Shaw | Owner & Trainer astoriaequestrian.com | (336) 469-1246 Ar abian Horse Times | 14 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS Best Training Advice “Your horse is a direct reflection of yourself. The weaknesses you have are expressed as weaknesses in the horse and vice-versa for strengths.

If you work on bettering yourself, your entire training string will grow with you instead of simply fixing one horse.”

“Your softness in training must come from your heart. Don’t let your passion to be successful outweigh your love for the animal. A horse doesn’t ask you to become part of his life, yet here we are. We must train them and treat them like the horses we want them to become.”

Best Training Philosophy Example I am a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child and in turn, it takes a stable to raise a trainer. There isn’t one single horse that has been the most beneficial to my growth. If I am true to my profession, I should learn something from each individual that I touch. Because they are just that, individuals. Each horse I am lucky enough to work with challenges me to be a better trainer because my training method should be dynamic to each of their personal needs.

Favorite Training Bridle I have a Harris Leather work headstall that I use an assortment of plain snaffles on. Riding in something as mild as a snaffle really shows me where the horse may need more help with suppleness or more practice with balance. A snaffle, being a mild bit, cannot make up for lack of use or strength in your seat and leg aids, therefore, it encourages a rider to use all of their aids in unison instead of relying on the hands to make up for the work the body and core may not be doing.

Next Challenge I have literally ridden every discipline/sport except for mounted shooting and skijoring (skiing while being pulled by a horse).

I have ridden in eventing, trick riding, vaulting, reining, cutting, and the list goes on. So, I guess at this point, I better get out my revolver and skis to complete the rest of the list!

Mentor Gratitude I have never possessed the job title of assistant trainer. I have turned down many job offers to continue operating my own training business, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had some great guidance along the way. Through my braiding, clipping, and show grooming, I have been lucky enough to work for and learn from the best in each discipline of this business.

I would want them to know that I am watching, I am learning, and I am growing. And for that I am so grateful. I have not forgotten a single lesson that was taught to me or a single skill that I have picked up from my time working as a part of your team. I cherish each time I am treated as a peer and fellow professional when I am asked for my input or advice on a horse or a client. I will never stop looking up to you, learning or growing. I owe this to myself, the horses and students in my program but also to our industry so that it may continue to grow and prosper.

Client Wish I won’t narrow this down to just clients but non-equine professionals in general. I don’t know another demographic besides agriculture, where people work the long hard hours that we do. I wish for you to know that from sun up to sun down, the horses, the clients and the goals for the show season are constantly present on our minds and how we can continue to help our training horses grow into better horses.

Most of us are not in this career for financial gains, as the investment more often outweighs the return but because this is our passion. I chose to keep my training numbers low so that I can focus on training

VICTORIA SHAW ASTORIA, LTD. EQUESTRIAN CENTER BOONVILLE, NC DISCIPLINE FOCUS: HUNTER/JUMPER, DRESSAGE, SPORT HORSE every aspect of your horse. I don’t just want them to be great show horses in the ring, but I owe them the service of training them to become solid citizens, first and foremost.

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: Loading up the fridge!

That is also my favorite part as I taste test along the way.

Worst: Tear downs are the most difficult part. By the time the show is finally over, everything is covered in dust, everyone is exhausted, and then there is the drive home. I am all about efficiency and organization and often I have to do my tear downs myself, so I have my packing down to the most convenient science.

Ideal Vacation Any secluded sandy beach with a perfect wave set for surfing, where the beer is cold, the margaritas are salty, and the shellfish are plentiful!

Go-To Late Night Eatery There is an amazing NY-style pizza place in downtown Winston-Salem (a nearby college town that I bartend in) called Burke Street Pizza.

On the weekends they are open until 3am and there is nothing better than a greasy slice of NY-Style Pepperoni Pizza on my drive home!

Travel Snack Fave AirHead Extremes!

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

GMC all the way! I like my ladies on the dependable side and our beloved Big Booty Judy has never disappointed.

Personal Advice “You really are as beautiful and successful as you wish you were,” and “Keep your chin up and your heels down and you will ride on to live your wildest dreams and have the most amazing journey along the way.”

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RISING STARS Best Training Advice Never get too busy to where you can’t listen to your horse.

Do things at their pace, not ours. Each horse learns differently, and not all approaches work on every horse, so it is very important to listen to the horse and use their feedback to better the situation.

Best Training Philosophy Example I don’t know if I could pick a single horse that has taught me the most. I have learned so much from riding so many different horses. Each horse thinks differently, so I am constantly learning new ways and new techniques to use to get the most from them with the least amount of effort.

Favorite Training Bridle My go-to bit that I use on pretty much every horse, is a fat, smooth, three-piece half cheek snaffle. It is my favorite because to me, it spreads the pressure from the bit evenly throughout their mouth, without being forceful. It helps find a way to maintain softness and suppleness throughout their whole body, rather than just getting them backed off the bit.

Next Challenge I have done pretty much all main ring disciplines, but the one that really interests me that I have not tried is dressage.

I love how technical it looks and how much goes into training a high-level dressage horse. I think they are amazing to watch.

Mentor Gratitude I was/am lucky enough to have so many incredible mentors.

This is such a small industry and we are all so blessed to have so many knowledgeable, kind, and helpful people to learn from.

I hope anyone who has lent a helping hand, or given a piece of advice knows, how much I appreciate them and value their help.

Client Wish I am lucky to have some incredible customers who stay really involved, so they know pretty much everything that goes on.

It is a lot of work, but worth every second of it when you get to spend time with these amazing horses and people. I do wish more people got to see the off times of the horses, when they aren’t working as much, or have a break after a big show.

It is fun to see how much personality these animals have and how entertaining they can be.

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: definitely, getting the horse stalls ready.

Everything after that gets complicated.

Worst: tear downs; it is the most dreaded day. There is nothing enjoyable or easy about being exhausted after a horse show and having to tear down the house that we build for a week or two at a time.

JOSH SHINO SHINO TRAINING CENTER SCOT TSDALE, AZ DISCIPLINE FOCUS: SADDLE SEAT/HUNT SEAT/ WESTERN

Ideal Vacation Anywhere that is warm and sunny. One of my least favorite things in the world is being cold! My top three vacations on my bucket list are Australia, Japan and a Caribbean Island.

Go-To Late Night Eatery In-N-Out! It is one of the few places that is open when we are done working at horse shows and satisfies all the cravings after working a long day at the show.

Travel Snack Fave Definitely, Sour Patch Kids. If I am getting tired, they always give me enough sugar to stay awake and keep motivated!

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

None! I just purchased a GMC as my first truck, and I am in love. I can’t wait to hit the road in such a nice vehicle.

Personal Advice Slow down and enjoy everything that I have around me.

I have been lucky to be surrounded by some great people and horses, and it is so important to slow down and enjoy everything you have, and not get caught up in the future and things you think you might want and need.

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RISING STARS Best Training Advice Be patient. Slower will end up being faster. Just like us, every horse learns at their own pace, so learn your horse and work at a pace they can handle.

Best Training Philosophy Example The horse that has taught me the most about my training is Star Maker J. I started riding him when we were both 5 years old and I showed him for 20 years. He still today, at 25, is one of my favorite horses to ride. He taught me every trick in the book about the struggles one might have when you reverse and walk. There were many years he outsmarted me, or my legs were simply just too short to kick his head down, but what I didn’t realize at the time was he was teaching me to be better. He was teaching me to be good. I would have to ride every step and out-think him. He was teaching me to be patient and that in the end, having a good ride on a horse you practiced so hard with meant so much more than any ribbon.

Favorite Training Bridle A three-piece smooth snaffle. I think it is something a lot of horses are comfortable in and having more flexibility to give in different places helps keep them softer.

Next Challenge None. I have been pretty fortunate enough to have ridden almost every discipline.

KIRSTEN MCKILLOP SHINO TRAINING CENTER SCOT TSDALE, AZ DISCIPLINE FOCUS: WESTERN AND HUNTER PLEASURE

Mentor Gratitude I have been very fortunate to have worked with some pretty amazing people, all of whom I hope know how much I appreciate all the time and effort they put into trying to make me better. My mom, Jill Mitchell, is my biggest mentor and the amount of hours she put into helping me and still does to this day, are irreplaceable. The list of people that have gotten me to where I am today is huge. The support the Arabian horse community has given is more than I could have ever asked for and to all of it I am so grateful.

Client Wish I guess I just hope they know how much time is put into their horses. Each and every one are special and have something to offer in their own way and I try to see that in each of them.

Ideal Vacation Anywhere I can go skiing or boating. I enjoy skiing in Colorado and skiing/boating at Lake Tahoe.

Go-To Late Night Eatery Panda Travel Snack Fave Gold Fish Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Dodge, for sure!

Personal Advice Advice to my 18-year-old self: slow down and enjoy the little things in life. Also, everything happens for a reason, so stop worrying so much. I have always been a slight perfectionist and I have learned a lot over the last few years about myself. Life is too short to not enjoy it, so take chances and learn from your mistakes, but accept that we are all human.

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RISING STARS

Best Training Advice Be humble; there’s always more you can learn. Open your mind and look for improvement in the ways you communicate with the horse and rider.

Best Training Philosophy Example Rickey’s On Fire MA is probably the horse I have the hardest time communicating with. We have clashing personalities and he’s incredibly intelligent, so we have disagreements from time to time. He’s taught me to reach new levels of calmness that I didn’t think I was capable of reaching.

Favorite Training Bridle Whichever bridle the horse favors. If I’m looking for a certain result, I’ll rotate in different bridles and see which one they seem happiest in. Most of the time they all agree, so it’s easy to find the “flavor of the month.”

Next Challenge I would love to learn dressage at a high level. I have such respect and admiration for the style and the history of it, and I would love to be able to incorporate more of it into my training.

Mentor Gratitude I jumped right into training on my own, so every second I’m able to spend around my mentors is priceless. I’m always trying to soak up everything I can from them.

Client Wish I hope my clients see the relationships that I form with each of their horses individually. They’re all my “kids,” and they all have a place in my heart. Their welfare and health mean more to me than anything. I feel just as strongly about the relationship I have with my clients. I value the connections I form with my clients and I hope they value their connection with me equally.

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons I think setting up and tearing down is equally miserable.

Ideal Vacation Something low-key and beachy.

ALEXIS SCOTT AKS FARMS NORWALK, IA DISCIPLINE FOCUS: WESTERN, HUNTER AND SADDLE SEAT

Go-To Late Night Eatery Currently rotating between pho, pizza and Mexican.

Travel Snack Fave I always buy snacks as the mood strikes, however, I can’t walk out without a Caddy Shack by Peace Tea. Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

I love my Explorer. Sometimes people mistake me for a cop.

Personal Advice I was an 18-year-old college freshman, so my advice to myself would be, “don’t drink so much and go to class!”

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“We are proud to have Wyatt as part of the Liberty Meadows team.” ~Ryan Strand

LIBERTY MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER Ryan Strand: 816-651-7424 | Wyatt Budd: 517-899-3254 Bucyrus, KS | libertymeadowstc@gmail.com | www.liberty-meadows.com

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RISING STARS

Best Training Advice To always take my time, never blame the horse and that you have to love what you do to be good at it.

Best Training Philosophy Example I think that every time I step on a new horse, I gain more knowledge. I don’t think I could single out one horse that has given me more knowledge than another because in my opinion, every horse has a different lesson to learn from, but the impact of it all is the same.

Favorite Training Bridle A Freedman bridle with all wrapped bits, because it is easy to adjust and fit to a horse.

Next Challenge The only discipline I have not experienced would be show hack. I would definitely be willing to try it, but I don’t know if the pants would agree with me.

Mentor Gratitude That I appreciate all of the knowledge, opportunities and kindness Ryan has given to me. I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to be a part of this team for the last two years and I look forward to an exciting, successful future with Liberty Meadows.

WYATT BUDD FARM AFFILIATION :

LIBERTY MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER BUCYRUS, KS

Client Wish Just how appreciative I am of them for allowing me to coach them and what a privilege it is being able to work with their amazing animals.

DISCIPLINE FOCUS: ENGLISH

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: unloading the trailer.

Worst: the small details that make the set-up complete.

Travel Snack Fave Red Bull

Ideal Vacation Anywhere on a beach.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Ford

Go-To Late Night Eatery Anything sushi.

Personal Advice Go with the flow and enjoy the ride.

Ar abian Horse Times | 23 | Volume 49, No. 10

E LIZ A BE T H S EWA R D LLC

SPECIALIZING IN OPEN & A MATEUR WESTERN & HUNTER P LEASURE TR AINING • SHOWING • SALES

AHA Photo

Elizabeth Seward, Trainer

763.234.3796

HobnailFarm @aol.com

Ar abian Horse Times | 24 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS Best Training Advice That you have to find your own style and not be afraid to make each horse your own. As a younger trainer, you are constantly watching others around you, seeking advice, and even emulating those you admire. At the end of the day, you have to remember that you are you, and you have your own unique set of qualities to offer to each horse. If you’re too busy trying to be like someone else, you may not bring your own strengths and talents to the table.

Best Training Philosophy Example I will forever be indebted to TRJ Versace Guy. “Thomas” was one of my very first training projects and allowed me to attempt, practice, develop, guess, misstep, refine and mold my training style, all while showing me the most important part, connection and trust. I am fortunate enough to have him back in my life as his forever home. Each day he reminds me of what I love in horses and each day I am thankful for all that he taught me when I thought I was teaching him.

Favorite Training Bridle Probably my short shank correction bit. Almost everyone seems to wear it at some point and it magically “fixes” whatever is missing!

Next Challenge Having friends that show different breeds, I have always been intrigued by the western riding discipline. I love how it takes the look and style of a pleasure horse and then adds in the body control maneuvers. To me, it is an amazing demonstration of balance and flow.

Client Wish It never ends! Your horse and your goals are always on our mind and with us in one way or another. 24/7, 365 days a year, your horse’s care and well-being are the priority. It is a career inspired by a passion for horses and fueled by helping each owner to fulfill their dreams.

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Set-up …

Easiest: getting everything out of the trailer.

Worst: organizing it all.

Tear-downs …

Easiest: pulling down the curtains.

Worst: getting everything packed back and organized into where it belongs.

Ideal Vacation I have actually never been on a non-horse vacation and would love to go to Greece.

ELIZABETH SEWARD ELIZABETH SEWARD LLC GREENFIELD, MN DISCIPLINE FOCUS: WESTERN AND HUNTER PLEASURE

Go-To Late Night Eatery McDonald’s for chicken nuggets!

Travel Snack Fave Rxbars and Smartwater.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Chevy Personal Advice Tomorrow is a new day. Maybe today didn’t go exactly as you had planned or hoped, but tomorrow is a chance at a fresh beginning with fresh eyes. Sometimes all you need to solve the puzzle is some rest and an opportunity for clarity.

Secondly, to always have faith.

Ar abian Horse Times | 25 | Volume 49, No. 10

The Stars are shining bright in Texas ...

Linda & Dennis Clark 906 FM 407E | Arg yle, TX 76226 | LongMeadowArabian@verizon.net Steven Scoggins | 217-649-4807| sscoggins33@gmail.com

WWW.LONGMEADOWARABIANS.ORG Ar abian Horse Times | 26 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS

Best Training Advice No matter what, keep them moving forward.

Favorite Training Bridle No single favorite. It depends on the horse and what works for them.

Next Challenge English. It would be nice to be able to go in with two bits, two hands and a whip.

Mentor Gratitude The late nights and early mornings were some of my favorite times. It is when I learned the most about being a horse trainer.

Client Wish I think I’m lucky that my amateurs know it, but we always must remember that the horse has a mind of its own and is not a machine.

STEVEN SCOGGINS LONG MEADOW ARABIANS

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons It is all probably my least favorite part of a horse show.

Usually when setting up I am excited for the show to get started and compete. When I’m tearing down, I’m excited to get home.

Ideal Vacation Any place warm by the water.

Go-To Late Night Eatery Whataburger Travel Snack Fave Trail mix with chocolate, Red Bull, fountain Diet Coke, coffee.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Chevy Ar abian Horse Times | 27 | Volume 49, No. 10

ARGYLE, T X DISCIPLINE FOCUS: WESTERN PLEASURE

RISING STARS Best Training Advice That is a loaded question. I feel I have been blessed to receive so many helpful suggestions along the way, but a recent one that is fresh in my mind was advice recently given from Joe Reser, which he said Bob Hart told him years ago—two of my biggest idols. He told me, “make sure you know your horse on the ground before you work it under saddle.” I couldn’t agree more and think you can really teach, bond, educate and get to know your horse on the ground before even stepping foot in the saddle.

Best Training Philosophy Example From patience comes perfection, has always been a philosophy I use for training; which means my process may be slower, but I feel the horses at the end of the day understand their job. I use this for starting babies as well as finished horses. A horse that can attest to this is Resstitution, who is a multi-National Champion, however, he is one that took a long time for me to mold to my program and make him ready for my amateur. After much patience, he ended up Regional and Scottsdale Reserve Champion and top ten at Canada in the Select and Open.

Favorite Training Bridle I am a sucker for less is more. If I can ride everything in snaffles, great!

Straight reins, even better. I would say my general ‘go to’ for the hunters is a German martingale and snaffle. I believe it still gives me contact but also translates well to putting horses in show gear.

Next Challenge I would love to try any of the working western disciplines, reining or cutting.

Mentor Gratitude Every person or place I have worked for, be it a horse show or for years, I constantly soaked up information. I am incredibly star struck of successful trainers in the industry and really take any opportunity I can to soak in any knowledge they offer. I don’t think many understand how many trainers I view as ‘mentors’ or how much I appreciate any advice along the way.

Client Wish It sounds cliché, but truly, it is a passion, not a job. There is no clocking in or clocking out or leaving your job at the workplace.

The list goes on for what makes it a 24/7 gig. As trainers, I would say we wear lots of hats, from helping the vet late at night, doing show entries, sleepless nights after a bad ride, and the list goes on. On top of that, I personally view my clients more as family, so I genuinely attempt to go out of my way to cater to their needs.

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Ugh ...

Easiest: organizing the tack room.

Worst: unloading hay.

Ideal Vacation I will go anywhere and with everyone. I love traveling and have been fortunate to check out some cool places. Spain is probably next on my bucket list. If I had time, I would hike the El Camino.

ALEX PETERSON LUXE ARABIANS TRAVERSE CIT Y, MI DISCIPLINE FOCUS: WESTERN/HUNTER

Go-To Late Night Eatery A place called Poppycocks here in Traverse City. This place has my favorite meal from start to finish, appetizer to dessert. They have a display case of their desserts when you walk in; how can you resist, honestly?

Travel Snack Fave One of my clients makes the most amazing and addicting energy balls. They are oat, honey, peanut butter and chocolate goodness bites. And Red Bull. I am trying to wean myself off, but let’s be honest ...

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

I am a Michigan girl … Ford all the way.

Personal Advice 1. Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t.

2. Your metabolism will slow down one day, sorry.

Ar abian Horse Times | 29 | Volume 49, No. 10

Some say he's LUCKY ...

We say he's GOOD GOOD!!

"We are excited to welcome Cody Gillespie to the Shamrock Farms team. This talented, young rising star will no doubt make his mark in the Western division."

Andrew Ryback Photo

Cody Gillespie Cody Gillespie

Joe Reser - Trainer | Cody Gillespie - Assistant (574) 360-5649 | Shamrockfarmsllc@gmail.com | 6130 Bennett Lawson, Mansfield, TX 76063 Ar abian Horse Times | 30 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS Best Training Advice I’ve been given a lot of good advice since I began my career, so I can’t narrow it down to just one thing. It was very important for me to learn to treat every horse as an individual. If a horse isn’t coming along with my training program, I evaluate if I should circle back to the basics or have a veterinarian come take a look to see if it’s more of a pain issue.

I’ve also been taught to think outside the box to help horses learn their job, and not to be afraid to ask other people for advice.

Best Training Philosophy Example Tamar Texas Star has taught me the most to this point. He was a sensitive horse at home from the beginning, and then was a little difficult to get around the show pen the first year. I had to get creative with my training and showing program and think outside the box to get him to trust me and settle down mentally.

It took me awhile to learn what he needed to be successful, but we finally got there. I was very happy to end up with a top ten in the AWPA Futurity with him last year.

Favorite Training Bridle I like to ride both Junior horses and older horses in a square D twisted snaffle with a German martingale. I have found that it lets them know where to keep their head and neck while allowing me to work on their body position. It helps keep the horses soft without intimidating them.

Next Challenge The English discipline looks really exciting! In the western, we are so focused on creating a very quiet, controlled experience that looks easy. The English horses get to be very bold and forward moving.

Mentor Gratitude I hope my first mentor knows how much I appreciated the opportunity to show in the Open classes for the first time. Ron Copple gave me my first shot learning how to show. He also helped teach me how to bring along a horse from the very beginning to getting in the show pen. I hope he understands that I’ll be forever grateful for beginning my career in a well-rounded way.

I’m also thankful to Josh Quintus for helping me understand that I needed to have direction in this business. It’s not enough to just like horses. He helped me realize how critical it is to know where you want to end up and have a game plan of how to get there.

Now at Shamrock Farms, I’m looking forward to honing my training, showing and business skills with Joe Reser. I feel very lucky to have had so much support at this stage in my career.

CODY GILLESPIE SHAMROCK FARMS MANSFIELD, T X DISCIPLINE FOCUS: WESTERN PLEASURE

Ideal Vacation My family and I enjoy vacations where we can go to a warm beach. We had a great time in California during our last vacation. I also enjoy taking a few days off to hunt and fish with a buddy during the year.

Go-To Late Night Eatery At home, I go to Buffalo Wild Wings. In Tulsa, I hit up Panda Express or McDonalds at the end of the day.

Travel Snack Fave Chex Mix or Cajun trail mix must be in the truck for a road trip.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Dodge

Client Wish That they how much time I spend thinking about their horses when I’m away from the barn. Whether it is trying to figure out a different approach I can take with a difficult horse, or how to keep a talented horse progressing, I put a lot of thought into my job even when I’m not there.

Personal Advice First off, I would tell my 18-year-old self that you’re dating a good girl who has the same beliefs and passion for horses–— make her your wife! I’ve been blessed to have Josie by my side throughout my career, and I’m truly lucky to have her support and encouragement to do what I love.

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons The con is the time it takes setting up at bigger shows, which keeps me from riding horses the first day, and I’d rather be riding!

And we are all usually really tired during tear down, so I wish it could go faster.

Secondly, I’d tell myself to have patience. It takes time to build your career in the horse world. Don’t be afraid to move on to learn from more people but know that you need to make sure to move in a positive, upward direction. Keep your head down, and when you work hard, good things will come your way!

Ar abian Horse Times | 31 | Volume 49, No. 10

A Quality Experience With The Horse And Rider In Mind.

McKenzie Tobeck | 253-592-1237

www.tobeckperformancehorses.com Ar abian Horse Times | 32 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS

Best Training Advice There is so much advice to choose from, but perhaps the two that have served me best and most frequently are that, “nothing forced can be beautiful,” from a book by an ancient Greek horseman Xenophon, which I take as, respecting your horse and not forcing them into positions that don’t work for them. Secondly, “that horses learn in short stages, so work them that way,” which Mr. Greg Harris told me when I was a teenager.

Best Training Philosophy Example My horse, Miss Pension. Through our long career together, we were successful in several divisions, and adjusting ourselves to each of those divisions taught me so much.

Now my clients show her, and I give occasional lessons on her. She is a great help to me when I am giving lessons.

She has been and is a wonderful equine partner.

Favorite Training Bridle I have one snaffle that, honestly, I think I could ride all of my horses in. It is just the barn favorite.

Luckily, I just found another one!

Next Challenge I’ve always thought vaulting would be fun.

Mentor Gratitude Although I never worked for who I would consider to be my closest mentor and one of my biggest supporters, I would just thank him. There has never been a time where I felt dumb asking a question, or that I have doubted his support of me. I think that sometimes, knowing you have someone who will help you anytime and has the purest of intentions, can be of more value than working for some.

Client Wish I hope they already know this ... I absolutely LOVE my customers. We have the best vibe in our barn, and everyone welcomes in new faces, supports one another, and are generally just happy for each other. I hope they also know that I love their horses like my own!

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: when the day is over, and I am tucking in the horses. I love that time.

Worst: unloading hay!

MCKENZIE TOBECK TOBECK PERFORMANCE HORSES EATONVILLE, WA DISCIPLINE FOCUS: ENGLISH PLEASURE/ HUNTER PLEASURE/SHOW HACK / WESTERN

Ideal Vacation London!

Go-To Late Night Eatery Umm, the grocery store to get ice cream. I love ice cream!

Travel Snack Fave Corn Nuts Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Well, I love my Ford, but I also love a Chevy.

Personal Advice Just keep going. You may not see the end results for things for a while, but follow your instincts and trust God, because there is a plan in the works!

Ar abian Horse Times | 33 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS

Best Training Advice You’re never done learning!

Best Training Philosophy Example The National Champion Half-Arabian Hunter horse Totally RedHot GA+, has probably thrown the most challenges my way! He is my own personal horse and has taught me so many things on our journey together so far. Most importantly, he has taught me to trust my training!

Favorite Training Bridle The most used training bridle in my program would be a medium Darnell snaffle, which is a medium twist that I prefer to use with a German martingale.

Next Challenge I have never rode a reiner! I think it looks like a lot of fun and has a whole different set of challenges!

Mentor Gratitude I wish my mentor to know how much my time apprenticing for him has influenced my career today!

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the trenches we went through together!

JOSIE GILLESPIE TAMAR ARABIANS LTD. WEATHERFORD, T X DISCIPLINE FOCUS:

Client Wish I am very open with all my customers and I think they already know … I love all the horses I work with like they are my own!

HUNTER PLEASURE

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: setting the dressing rooms up.

Worst: plastic! I do not like to put plastic up on the dressing rooms.

Ideal Vacation I love to vacation with family, spending time with them in California.

Go-To Late Night Eatery Chipotle! I could eat it every day!

Travel Snack Fave Pecans or almonds.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Dodge!

Personal Advice Keep riding … it will all be worth it, and make time for family along the way.

Ar abian Horse Times | 35 | Volume 49, No. 10

The Ames Family Jordan, MN | 952.492.2537 www.Cedar-Ridge.com

The Ames Family Jordan, MN | 952.492.2537 www.Cedar-Ridge.com

Ar abian Horse Times | 37 | Volume 49, No. 10

LAURA RODEL

STEPHANIE DAVISSON

DISCIPLINE FOCUS: ENGLISH

DISCIPLINE FOCUS: SADDLE SEAT

Best Training Advice Keep it simple, take things step by step, and give them lots of praise.

Best Training Advice Never cut corners. When training is rushed and steps are skipped, it can make even the easiest of tasks seem impossible.

A good foundation is everything.

Best Training Philosophy Example It’s hard to narrow it down to one horse. They all teach you something different in their own way.

Favorite Training Bridle Straight rein. You can feel a lot more and release easier.

If you can get it in a straight rein, going to the full bridle is a lot easier.

Mentor Gratitude I learned a lot and I wouldn’t have the knowledge that I do now. When I get stuck with a horse, I think of all things that he would do/try to work the horse through it. It was a dream come true being able to work with him.

Client Wish That they know we do like to have a day off. LOL! Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: getting the food/drinks for the hospitality room.

Worst: packing everything up and putting it in the trailer after you’ve unloaded and moved in for the show.

Ideal Vacation I love the lake; being with friends hanging out in the boats and swimming.

Go-To Late Night Eatery Old Chicago. If that’s closed, Taco Bell.

Travel Snack Fave Beef jerky, Funions and Skittles.

Best Training Philosophy Example Honestly, probably my own horse, Shades Of Taask. I trained him on my own when we bought him in 2007. I was 16 and knew nothing. He taught me patience, persistence and appreciation.

There were days I wanted it to be quick or easy and it never was, he taught me to always take my time and be thorough and we would have success.

Favorite Training Bridle Smooth snaffle and a straight rein. If you can achieve softness and commitment in that, then you’re on the right path.

Next Challenge Working Cow! Mentor Gratitude I appreciate all of the hours spent, the wisdom shared, and the opportunities afforded.

Client Wish Training is long hours and mentally and physically tiring.

Often, even the few hours we have off, we spend time thinking about how to do our jobs better. That’s because we love your horses just as much as you do, and we always have theirs and yours best interest at heart.

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest & best part: doing the finishing touches and seeing it come together.

Worst: unpacking and repacking everything.

Ideal Vacation Somewhere ... anywhere, on a beach in the sunshine.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Chevy Personal Advice Follow your gut/passion and do what you want to do and not what other people want you to do so you stay around.

And don’t spend all your money as fast as you receive it; try to save some of it.

Go-To Late Night Eatery Old Chicago Pizza (especially during the 2 am nights of Region 10)!

Travel Snack Fave Trail mix and iced tea.

Personal Advice Follow your heart and stay the course.

Ar abian Horse Times | 38 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS

ERIN BELTON DISCIPLINE FOCUS: ENGLISH AND HUNTER

Best Training Advice Be realistic about what your horse is capable of and to always train for thoroughness.

Best Training Philosophy Example Moonpie in the Sky taught me the most about myself and that training horses isn’t always easy; Knights Jewel taught me that the little things matter, simple corrections go a long way, and when in doubt, use more leg; and Bastille My Heart taught me how to feel when it’s right.

Favorite Training Bridle A smooth snaffle and a straight rein. If you can teach your horse to be soft in that bridle, then you are well on your way to making a great show horse.

LAURA

Next Challenge Western Mentor Gratitude I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with many talented trainers. I would have to say Rob Bick has been the biggest influence in my training career so far. I want him to know how much I admire him as a horseman and that I am forever grateful for the time I spent learning from him.

Client Wish I hope our customers know what a privilege it is to get to do what I love every day and the bond that I have with each horse is so unique.

It is so rewarding to watch their horses grow and be successful.

STEPHANIE

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: the music and dancing while I work.

Worst: setting up and tearing down. And plastic … plastic is not fun.

Ideal Vacation Australia Go-To Late Night Eatery Bojangles Travel Snack Fave Mountain Dew and beef jerky.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Chevy

ERIN

Personal Advice Don’t put your happiness in someone else’s hands and be kind; do something to make someone else’s day better every day.

CEDAR RIDGE ARABIANS

Ar abian Horse Times | 39 | Volume 49, No. 10

JORDAN, MN

Welcomes

SIGNATURE OAK STABLES PROUDLY

Kayleigh Meyer AS OUR HEAD TRAINER!

ACCEPTING TRAINING HORSES Rob & Liz Haar – Owners | Kayleigh Meyer – Trainer 12975 N Territorial Rd., Dexter, MI 48130 Rob (734) 808-2727 – rob@signatureoakstables.com Kayleigh (734) 808-1982 – kayleigh@signatureoakstables.com

W W W. S IGNATU R EOAKS TABLES.COM Ar abian Horse Times | 40 | Volume 49, No. 10

RISING STARS

Best Training Advice Never get angry, just don’t allow your mind to get to that place (thanks, Tom Theisen!). Angry training is just poor horsemanship, in my opinion.

When (and not if because it certainly is going to happen) you feel yourself starting to get frustrated, just stop what you’re doing and ask yourself, does this horse need to completely understand this right now, or can it wait until the end of the week, because it probably can wait until the end of the week.

It takes a horse one training session to learn and develop a bad habit that will stick with them for the rest of their life, so for everyone’s sake, take a breath and don’t be the one to teach that horse how to fight.

Best Training Philosophy Example Hands down, a very special bay gelding that I still feel SO lucky to have in my barn. Throughout his training there were so many ups and downs; he never seemed to retain anything from the day before and man, did he love to pick a fight (which no one ever won). I used to think I could muscle him around and make him see my way. One day after trying everything I could think of and debating whether to give up on the horse, for some reason, I decided to take him out to the fields. As the babies started running the fence line, this bay horse got a little life back into him. His neck came way back over his withers and I just held the reins in my hands and listened to what he needed me to do. This moment made me realize that sometimes the horse has a better way of getting from point A to point B, and if you just listen to them, they might be a great help to you. It’s much better to work with a horse than against one. Now I don’t get angry when he’s naughty on a Monday or doesn’t understand what I’m asking, and it’s been working pretty well ever since.

Favorite Training Bridle Peter Stachowski has the best smooth snaffle futurity bit ever made. It’s the perfect thickness and beveled just right; all the horses love it. That bit lives on my Freedman padded work bridle with a pair of straight reins during the day because I use it on almost every horse.

Next Challenge I would LOVE to ride a cutting horse; their athleticism and willingness to please just amazes me. I’ve been lucky enough to try almost any other discipline I can think of except for maybe vaulting, but I would not excel at the “getting on the horse while cantering” thing.

Mentor Gratitude Mary Trowbridge taught me how to be a true horsewoman from the ground up from day one. I am appreciative of her attention to every little detail. “If you can’t hang a halter up correctly, then what else can you not do?” is a saying I use practically every day.

I hope that Peter and Jim Stachowski know how incredibly grateful I am for my time spent with them. I have learned so many life lessons that have truly shaped me into the person I am today. Thank you for always pushing me to be better than I had ever imagined, and for putting me in the position where my dreams are now my reality.

Client Wish Your horse doesn’t care if you make a mistake, honestly, they do not. They will care though if you’re tight and anxious thinking about a mistake you made five minutes ago. I would hope that my customers knew how extremely invested I am to these horses and their wellbeing. If you’re thinking about something, odds are I’ve already been over every possible outcome and written them down on any scrap piece of paper in reach.

KAYLEIGH MEYER SIGNATURE OAK STABLES DEXTER, MI DISCIPLINE FOCUS: ENGLISH

Show Set-Up Pros & Cons Easiest: I LOVE to set up the tack room!

Organization makes me very happy!

Worst: Everyone that’s ever worked with me knows I HATE doing the electric; all those cords give me anxiety.

Ideal Vacation Somewhere very warm, near a body of water, with a drink in my hand and getting my pale, horse trainer legs some sun.

Go-To Late Night Eatery Chipotle … extra hot salsa, please!

Travel Snack Fave Gummy Bears are my weakness.

Ford, Dodge or Chevy?

Who cares, as long as my dog Nika can ride with!

Personal Advice Two pieces of advice I would give my 18-year-old self: be aware of what you post on social media; thinking twice is never a bad idea, and to always enjoy the moment and feel confident that everything is always going to work out just fine.

Ar abian Horse Times | 41 | Volume 49, No. 10

by Catherine Cole Ferandelli

A Devoted Family Dynasty Of Equine Educators Ricci Desiderio is a man of knowledgeable conviction when it comes to the equine industry and its connection to community, family and personal growth. “Desiderio Tranquillity Farm’s foremost goal is to teach that equine competition is all about your journey, from the start to the winner’s circle,” states Ricci. “Regardless of our clients’ goals, Tranquillity Farm strives to fulfill their dream.”

With insight gained from over 50 years of experience, Ricci and wife Stephanie’s Tranquillity Farm is located in historic Chester, New Jersey. The family’s equine business is going on four generations, engaged in its quest to “further open the equine industry to a new audience by offering lessons on schoolmasters in addition to leasing options.” Their training program forms a strong foundation upon which a rider can build, while leasing can be a more affordable option to owning a horse.

Utilizing standards and practices which teach classic principles of horsemanship, Desiderio Tranquillity Farm is arguably the winningest training barn in the Arabian horse industry, with literally hundreds of national championships in just about every discipline the ever-diverse Arabian horse performs in, but particularly with youth riders in working hunter and the equitation divisions offered at Youth and Sport Horse Nationals.

Ar Arabian abianHorse HorseTimes Times ||42 42||Volume Volume49, 49,No.5A No. 10A

Ricci further proclaims, “Desiderio Tranquillity Farm prides itself on the national championships our clients and family have achieved over the years. Even more important to us is our friendly culture of applying equine skills to personal success. Of our riders who show in the Arabian circuit, seventy-five percent compete and win at high level open competitions too.”

From The Start New Jersey had long been horse country when Ricci’s parents Frank and Geraldine (‘Gerri’), met at her parent’s farm in West Orange. Frank was five and Gerri three. Through childhood and into young adult hood, Frank and Gerri’s friendship flourished as they shared a mutual love for horses. The young couple married in 1951, just before Frank departed to serve in the Korean War. Frank and Gerri were founding members of the New Jersey Arabian Horse Association and AHA members for well over 50 years. Per Ricci, “Obviously the passion for horses is in our blood.”

Stephanie possessed the same spirit, meeting Ricci when her father brought her to the Desiderio farm to board her horse. Clearly kindred in their love for Arabian horses, they share a love for family too, raising four dynamic children: Michael, Anthony, Alexandria and Vincent. All four have given the family business their own unique brand of success, both in and outside the horse show arena.

Eldest son Michael set his path early on to become a professional trainer,, competing and winning as a youth rider not only in his age group, but also the open divisions. Seeking to expand his knowledge, Michael branched out further, engaging in the highest-level open hunter and jumper competitions internationally, expanding his knowledge with experiences such as his internship with the legendary George Morris, and working as a clinic rider at age 17. Years of international exposure at such prestigious events as the National Horse Show and the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington have put Michael and Tranquillity Farm out front as a global name in the world of hunter and jumpers.

Anthony with Palantir+.

Daughter Alexandria (‘Alex’) brings her own adroitness to the Desiderio/ Tranquillity Farm family. Equally enthusiastic and ambitious, Alex too began her show career in the Walk/Trot classes, moving along through her teenage years with wins in youth, amateur and open national and regional competitions. Colleges and universities pursued recruiting Alex, offering collegiate equestrian scholarships. Texas A&M gained a top student and horsewoman in Alex who quickly established herself as a formidable member of their equestrian team.

The inter-collegiate team process was, as Alex describes, “A completely different world. My years of schooling, showing and starting Arabian horses were a huge benefit in adjusting to inter-collegiate competition. Instead of being

Anthony, an 18-time national champion, also started in Walk/Trot, quickly moving on to the older youth and open divisions. Ricci adds, ““As is with all our children, Anthony lived the Arabian horse world every day of his life. The teachings of discipline, structure, hard work, winning, losing, failure and goal accomplishment gave Anthony and his siblings leadership skills to serve them well in any endeavor.”

Using his life learning ingenuity, Anthony chose to pursue the legal world, attending New York Law School, graduating fifth in his class, and landing an attorney position with one of the world’s top law firms.

Michael and Oration, SHN 2016 Ar abian Horse Times | 43 | Volume 49, No. 10

Oration’s Breyer horse model.

school in Florida during this keen opportunity to be in the midst of the ‘best of the best.’

a sole competitor on a familiar horse, we drew our mount, a completely unfamiliar horse. We were allowed four minutes to school this new equine partner, taking the horse over four jumps, then going into the ring to compete over a full course.”

Alex acknowledges, “Arabian horses with their distinct individual personalities gave me great headway.” She was appointed team captain in her junior year, a unique accomplishment usually reserved for seniors.

As such, her leadership skills helped her team win the 2017 National Collegiate Equestrian Association championship. Alex and the team were presented and given accolades at the White House, the crowning glory to their stellar year.

The four-legged members of Tranquillity Farm are equally imposing competitors. Amongst the top talent are 50-time national champion TL Foolin Around, the leading AHA title holder, and bay stallion and Breyer horse honoree, Oration, who has created his own legacy, earning his Legion of Masters in record time. Oration is athleticism personified. Named AHA’s 2016 Ambassador Award winner, Oration was recognized as an Arabian horse of outstanding achievement with a unique accomplishment in representing the Arabian horse community to the general public. Ricci proudly states, “This horse holds his own in huge open hunter shows, proving our philosophy that Arabians, when properly trained, can compete at the highest levels of any equine competition.”

Earning her Bachelor of Science in Sports Conditioning, Alex has returned to the show pen, competing in Amateur Hunter/Jumper competitions and helps ‘start the babies.’

Youngest son Vincent (‘Vinnie’), embarking on his teenage years, possesses the Desiderio fervor of ‘being the best you can be.’ 2018 Youth Nationals was notably special as Vinnie earned championships with Tranquillity Farm’s purebred stallion Oration and his Half-Arabian son Standing Oration.

A formidable competitor set on expanding his know-how, Vinnie is joining siblings Michael and Alex at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), a three-month premier event held in Wellington, Florida. WEF is the largest horse show competition in the world, drawing 15,000 horses from 48 states and 30 countries worldwide. Vinnie will attend Alexandria and Oration.

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Oration is proving his talent in the breeding shed too. His Half-Arabian son, Standing Oration, is already an eight-time national champion with titles in hunter hack, working hunter, sport horse under saddle and sport horse in-hand. Oration’s daughter, RSD Show Stopper, boasts national championship in these same events.

“Oration possesses and passes on tremendous talent and power. He’s big bodied and nearly 16 hands tall. His athletic ability, balance and conformation make him the perfect pairing with most quality mares.

We have moreOration offspring at the farm coming up, these are exciting times for sure,” Ricci affirms.

To The Winner’s Circle Tranquillity Farm’s talent reaches out beyond bloodstock and family with accolades from their accomplished amateur clientele. Sisters Amy Bott Katsigiannis and Allyson Bott Wright personify and praise their affinity for Tranquillity Farm, “We have so many fond memories of being part of Ricci and Stephanie’s extended family. Nothing warms our heart more than bringing our own

DESIDERIO - TRANQUILLIT Y FARM

daughters back to our favorite place, watching the same thrill and love for horses developing within them. Growing up and showing with the Desiderio kids was an awesome experience.

Such sweet memories!”

The unique program at Tranquillity Farm gives clients the opportunity to compete extensively on both the Arabian breed and hunter and jumper circuits, traveling to up to 10 Arabian shows per year, as well as attending all of the major open circuit competitions on the East Coast.

Junior rider Devon Thomas began her show career as a Walk/Trot rider at age seven. Now 16, Thomas makes the 40-minute drive from her family’s home in Millburn, N.J., six days a week, riding at least two horses daily after school and anywhere from three to six each day of the weekend. Michael enthuses, “The amount of time Devon puts in is incredible. She is here day in and day out. Even if she wins, she will be here the next day, looking for her list and ready to work.”

Devon maintains riding Desiderio Arabians has helped her to develop focus, confidence and the ability to cope with the pressure that separates the top competitors from the runners-up, “The Desiderios have given me so many opportunities in both the Arabian and open circuit which has played a huge role in my Junior rider career. Youth Nationals is always a favorite show. It’s so fun and rewarding seeing all the hard work pay off for the Desiderios and their riders!”

Vincent and Standing Oration.

The 2019 show season has begun splendidly for Devon, scoring the top spot in the Platinum Performance USEF Jumping Talent Search 2*, the first equitation win of the 2019 season at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Raising Awareness Despite a show season lasting nearly year-round, Desiderio Tranquillity Farm continuously spurs forward all level riding programs at home and a constant community engagement drawing new folks to the equine world.

Legendary horseman Gene LaCroix attests, “Ricci is absolutely dedicated to horses and the horse business. He is as enthused as he was nearly five decades ago when he spent two summers interning at our Scottsdale operation. Doing everything on his own, Ricci is one of the hardest working guys in the business, always looking to improve the horse industry; training all levels and age riders and opening the equine world to new blood.”

TL Foolin Around and Stephanie.

Tranquillity Farm lives and breathes Gene’s words. At every level of hunter, jumper and equitation, their program emphasizes correct riding form and reinforcement of those skills with the goal of student confidence and knowledge, lending success both in and out of the show ring. Weekly lessons, clinics and summer camps offer plenty of options combined with the Desiderio family friendly atmosphere.

Alexandria (‘Alex’) Desiderio, captain of the 2016-2017 Texas A&M inter-collegiate team, is welcomed at the White House by President Donald Trump to celebrate their 2017 NCEA National Championship.

Ricci sees a challenging but opportunistic future, “We are horsemen, but above all we are educators. Internationally or locally, it is our responsibility as such to utilize horses in conjunction with our philosophy to instill in riders many key characteristics to help them also excel in life. Local club membership, clinics, riding programs, fun days—all of these invite the community to experience and engage in a manner that will assure the Arabian and the horse industry in general continue to prosper.” n

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FACES & PLACES It Wa s A C elebr at ion … gathering for Rodolfo Guzzo’s 50th Birthday on March 30th, at Royal Arabians in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“For those who don’t know Rodolfo, he absolutely hates to celebrate his birthday. So, even though it took me quite a bit of convincing that we should do something special for his 50th, he was very glad we did in the end.

We had friends and family join us from all over the world and he felt very blessed and loved.

Thank you so much to all who were able to make it to the party, and thank you, Mark and Cindy, for allowing us to use the farm. Also, thank you, Riyan Holte, for doing such an amazing job with the surprise videos.

It was a very special night for all of us, but no one deserved it more than you, Mi Vida! We love you very much!!” ~ Natalia, Rodolfinho, Giovanni and Felipe.

➔➔ For latest news and events visit www.ahtimes.com Ar abian Horse Times | 46 | Volume 49, No. 10

Ar abian Horse Times | 47 | Volume 49, No. 10

OPINION OF LARA AMES

AHA:

We Are Members— That Makes Us Owners Any of us who have been in the Arabian horse community for long have heard the complaints about the Arabian Horse Association. Maybe that’s common in all breeds. Depending on what matters to us individually, we can cover the spectrum of what they do or how little they do, or if they’ve done something, how it wasn’t right for some reason. Like everyone else, I’ve been free with my opinions. I know it can be frustrating; I always think AHA should be doing more and sometimes I don’t agree with the decisions they make. But as I wrote in our January AHT, after missing the AHA Convention for several years, I attended it last November and came away with new energy. I want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

My first move was to analyze myself. What could I do?

(Since I am writing this for all of us, let me add here: those who sincerely believe they have done all they can to volunteer or get involved on some level have a perfect right to be upset. However, I think that most of us, honestly speaking, will realize that we haven’t done everything we could do. And it’s also fair to ask, is the bulk of one’s “contribution” to the community posting complaints on social media? Respectfully, that’s not a real or positive contribution.)

I drew on what I saw at the Convention, where I saw a lot of people trying to do their part. AHA has many branches, and I saw members from all walks of life, participating in all disciplines, really committing their time and effort to improving the Arabian industry. Most AHT readers have a vested interest in our industry.

So, whether or not you support AHA, you support the horse. That gives us a much larger community than just the one I know best (those who participate in main ring showing and breeding).

One thing that we all need to do is to promote the Arabian horse to the public. One common complaint about AHA is that they do not do enough in this direction, and to tell the truth, I don’t think they have the funds to do it properly—at least, in the very near future.

It’s never too soon to promote our breed, so I’m not going to wait for the Association on this subject.

The great thing about promotion is that you don’t have to have tons of money to do it, and it can be done in a variety of ways, at nearly any cost level. I promote the Arabian to newcomers and have encouraged every one of them along the way as they grow accustomed to the breed.

For some people, promoting means promoting a sale. To me, it begins before the sale and continues long after (if it ever even involves a sale).

Newcomers do not need to own a horse to love it. Of course, we hope they will want to own an Arabian, but sometimes that takes a long time, or sometimes a non-owner who loves Arabians can introduce a potential owner to the breed. It all counts. The important part is helping people learn about and love our horses.

How does that work in practical terms? Here are some thoughts. Invite children or tourists to your farm. Visit a school and share your life experiences in the breed with the kids. Donate promotional literature on the Arabian horse to schools, medical offices, car repair companies (anywhere someone is likely to spend a few minutes waiting, where reading material will be appreciated). If you have a farm, invite local organizations (Rotary, YMCA, etc.), to come out on a Saturday morning and meet the horses. There are many more possibilities. If you have ideas or tried and true practices, I’d love to hear about them.

We are all together in promoting the breed. No one can do it alone.

We just need to spread the word about how much we love and appreciate the Arabian horse. n

Ar abian Horse Times | 48 | Volume 49, No. 10

2 019 GU IDE

The Sky Is The Limit ...

Dream Big!

UNANIMOUS 2018 U.S. National Champion Arabian English Pleasure Junior Horse UNANIMOUS 2017 U.S. National Champion AEPA Arabian Horse Times $100,000 Arabian Saddle Seat Futurity

IXL Noble Express x Bonita Afire, by Afire Bey V Owned by Maroon Fire Arabians | For breeding information | Shea Stables • 810.329.6392 | Kiesner Training • 865.556.0412 www.AfireBeyV.com

E NGLISH COVER:

M

by Christy Egan

aroon Fire’s superb, young blood bay stallion Inception is the obvious heir to more than one outstanding breeding program. The character and refinement he personifies owes a great deal to his sire, National Champion Park horse, IXL Noble Express+, his grandsire Afire Bey V, Leading All-Time Sire of Arabian Champions, and most certainly to his splendid dam lines, particularly his incomparable tail-female granddam, the Barbary daughter, Bacharah.

But his flawless conformation, size and quality are indicative of both the multi-decade breeding program of Maroon Fire Arabians and the much older, legendary program of Varian Arabians.

“The important qualities that Inception brings to the show ring and the breeding barn are many,” says Tim Shea, “but the combination of his exceptional length of neck and his strong hind leg with great flexion in the hocks is very rare in Arabians. It’s been our experience that our best breeding stallions have great shape to their necks and Inception’s is the best we’ve ever seen.”

Everyone breeds for quality improvement in horses: more type, better motion, better shape of neck and correct conformation, but for all of the times we breed for the right combination, we are rarely more than partially successful.

The frosting on the cake is, of course, to get everything right and to have the horse able to pass those good traits on to another generation.

The Linigers began their program with mares sired by the Comet son *Eter, crossed them back on the Bay El Bey son, Barbary, and then bred those mares, and others, to Afire Bey V. The Afire Bey V daughters were crossed on IXL Noble Express+, an MHR Nobility son specifically purchased to bring certain dynamic characteristics to the Maroon Fire program.

“Adding IXL Noble Express+ raised the motion factor in our program up several notches,” Tim notes. “Also, the hip and hocks from that bloodline were invaluable, rare elements we wanted to incorporate. IXL Noble Express+ is a very pretty Arabian horse as well.

He was Ohio Buckeye Halter Champion and was top ten (actually third), in the open Halter Stallions at the U.S. Nationals. As a sire, he has passed on his motion, hocks and hip, as well as his refined Arabian type and correct conformation.”

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Right after his first unanimous National win in the AHT $100,000 Saddle Seat Futurity in 2017, Inception’s trainer, Joel Kiesner, shared that the stallion was “very rare” and that he was “…great to train, great to show and represents absolutely everything good in his pedigree and nothing bad.” The Linigers, the Sheas and a lot of America’s English Arabian breeders obviously agreed whole heartedly because the push to breed to this exceptional horse has been very strong. About half of the 2018 Inception foal crop, his first, were out of Afire Bey V daughters, but included daughters of that illustrious sire’s sons and grandsons, plus several by *El Ghazi and Aploz. There were also several Saddlebred and Dutch Harness mares bred that produced 2018 offspring.

Breeders to Inception are applauding their 2018 and 2019 foal size, correct conformation, elegant, long necks, long legs, good bone and exceptional Arabian type.

Meanwhile, Inception is preparing for the 2019 show season with two unanimous English National Championships to his credit. His mare book for 2019 is impressive as well. A dream “book” you might say, reminiscent of the famous mares of show fame and pedigree that once lined Bell Road in Scottsdale to breed to the great *Bask. With one foal crop on the ground and another starting to make its appearance nationally, there is much to hope for at the homes of Maroon Fire Arabians and Shea Stables. n

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Ar abian Horse Times | 4 | English • 2019

Today’s

SADDLE SEAT HORSE

An energetic, high-stepping, high action horse with a naturally upright neck and high head carriage who responds well to a rider who must make the ride look effortless, and stay still and well-formed on the horse, sitting upright, with shoulders back and posting that is graceful and quiet.

Ar abian Horse Times | 5 | English • 2019

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

We are a breeding and training farm, training what we raise and what we breed. We have two breeding programs, Maroon Fire Arabians and Shea Stables’; both in the same location. We’ve had Afire Bey his whole career, IXL Noble Express, and now Inception, who was bred by Maroon Fire Arabians. The Linigers have about 15 to 20 broodmares, the Sheas 15 to 20.

TIM SHEA

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

Decent size, they don’t have to be a great big horse; straight legs, a great neck, high and well-shaped relatively straight tail, and in my opinion, a lot of the really athletic horses have that really extreme long shoulder and a high defined wither. I like colts that have a bony, loose look to them, I don’t like to see colts that are round and pudgy, where you can’t see the skeleton.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

We start our purebreds in the fall of their 2-year-old year, and for some of the Half-Arabs, a little sooner. We start them barefoot and probably do more cantering than we do trotting that first year.

Most 3-year-olds won’t make it; a few will. For most, they just can’t get that organized in a year’s time. In today’s climate, it seems like people are taking a lot more time developing horses, which is a good thing. There are even some 4-year-olds that don’t make it. Because of the amount of emotion, carriage and impulsion that they have to have in the saddle seat discipline, many probably won’t be ready until they are even five.

It is important that in developing young horses, if an issue comes up with them, that you back off and slow the training down or lay off them for a while. That is what we do here.

SHEA STABLES ST. CL AIR, MI

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I think it’s a good thing. Maturity is just like the word says, and 4-year-olds are not mature in this breed. I think a lot of horses will last a lot longer if they aren’t pushed into maturity classes.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

Let’s say that they didn’t have age groups at regionals, but an adult division and junior exhibitor division; there would be less people qualifying at the regionals. Some would be forced into qualifying at regular horse shows which would raise the entries at those shows. I haven’t thought about it that much, so would like to hear the opinions of other people in the industry. ■

Ar abian Horse Times | 6 | English • 2019

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

I live and breathe the Arabian horse. I’ve been a trainer since the 80s, training with some of the greatest of all time, including Gene and Ray LaCroix, Stanley G. White and Tim Shea. From Michigan, to now California, my focus is English, western and show hack. I’m a lifer … I will ride until I can’t get my leg over a horse.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

I look at many things: feet, legs, shape of the hind leg, shortness of back, slope of shoulder; they all come into play.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

When looking at 2- coming 3-year-olds, every horse is different; it depends on the individual. Some are ready; some are not strong enough, physically and/or mentally.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

The best thing that has happened to our shows as of late are that these classes give breeders more reason to breed. These classes help them to recoup their investment; give them hope. Amateurs like them also, as they will purchase horses just for these classes. People are breeding and selling more because of these opportunities.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

It’s a lot to ask a horse to go again for another class. I love to show, so it would be exciting, but still, a lot to ask. The Arabian way is to show, show, show. It would require some thought. I’m not sure judges could get them in and out quick enough before they are used up, plus many show in open and AOTR; so more work for trainers also.

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TRAINER

JIM LOWE LOWE SHOW HORSE CENTRE SOMIS, CA

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

VHTC’s 125-stall training/breeding operation focuses on saddle seat horses and riders. We keep approximately 90 horses in full training and breed 8-10 mares a year to the top English stallions in the breed. We also run Atlanta Riding Club which offers services to the public; a much needed national program in our industry to bring new riders to our breed.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

We look for the following traits in order of importance: 1.) A willing and game attitude. All the talent in the world will not make up for a bad disposition.

2.) Conformation. Low hocks, short cannons, high neck out of the withers with enough throat to fold their neck into a pretty picture, enough quality and beauty to be attractive in the ring, a short back for strength and a straight tail. For English prospects, we want strong hock motion and a fluid shoulder. Small, tight ears are a plus.

VICKI HUMPHREY VICKI HUMPHREY TRAINING CENTER CANTON, GA

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

We long line our 2-year-olds in November, then start them under saddle in January. By March we try to determine their physical and mental progress. At that point, we turn some back out to grow up and proceed with the more mature ones. When we determine our futurity entry prospects, we continue with them at a steady pace and let them tell us whether they are ready or not at three. We are determined not to stress or permanently damage a horse for the sake of a class at a show.

In my mind, horses should compete in Maturity classes before Amateur classes. Now, my riders show in Amateur at four and Maturity at five. That seems backwards to me.

As a breeder, in an industry struggling to grow, this change hurts me. I was selling horses at four after their Maturity class very successfully. Waiting until age five to prove they are Amateur horses, is an added expense. We are an industry that should be providing options, not limiting them.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I have been opposed to the change since it happened and am in favor of making it a 2-year option, 4-6 years. Horses mature at different ages and riders have different abilities.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

If we limited the cut classes, that would be a great, fun option.

Ar abian Horse Times | 8 | English • 2019

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

One of the things I look for is a beautiful silhouette with good Arabian type: a high tail carriage and with a hindquarter and loin strong enough to lift the forehand as the horse goes forward down the rail. Beyond the silhouette, I look for horses that are well constructed, balanced over their four feet with a high wither and a very stretchy, flexible up-right neck. I look for movement and how all the parts of the horse coordinate together. Does the horse lift its knees naturally, for instance? Does the hind foot step over the front hoof print? Is there overall flexibility in the ribs? How is the neck set on at the base?

Do they have an open shoulder?

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

When the horse is both physically and mentally mature enough to do their job. That can happen at age three, four, or even older.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I don’t really have an opinion about that except to say that 4-year-olds can be shown successfully by amateurs and they most likely want to show their horses in significant classes such as the Maturity.

JACQUE THOMPSON

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

A grand championship would be more work on horse trainers that are ready to get home after a long show of qualifying themselves, their horses and their amateurs for U.S. Nationals. But nevertheless, I think it’s a fantastic idea to have a grand championship because it would create excitement for the end of the show and, hopefully, put some more spectators on the rail. Growing crowd interest in our classes is a good way to attract new enthusiasts and, therefore, clients to our breed.

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SMOKY MOUNTAIN PARK ARABIANS, LLC LENOIR CIT Y, TN

Elimar Har Nahra El Ghazi RL Rah Fire Bask Brass Tsanar MHR Nobility EE Msindependence Miss Wisdom

MHR Nobility IXL Noble Express RY Fire Ghazi Brassmis

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LEADING OWNER OF AEPA WINNERS

Proudly owned by Conway Arabians, Lori & Peter Conway | ConwayArabians.com Multi-Futurity Program Nominated | For breeding information call Lori Conway at 507.202.4440 Standing at Kiesner Training | Louisville, KY | KiesnerTraining.com

Ar abian Horse Times | 11 | English • 2019

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

Our program is ever evolving with a long-term plan to continue creating this vision of perfection that we both have in our heads. Our goals are lofty, but we are dedicated and diligently working to pursue our dreams.It means we have to keep working at having great mares that meet all our goals and stallions that will carry the torch for generations to come.

National Champion Coltrane, at just 7 years of age, is already making a significant contribution to our program, as well as to others who have bred to him. A step back a couple decades was our purchase of all the *El Ghazi semen. We have three incredible fillies by him who will have a future in our broodmare band as soon as they come of age. We have another piece of the breeding puzzle with a couple other young studs we own: Rightful Heir CA and a new purchase, CSP Rolling Stone. With all this stallion power and the proof that Coltrane is the real deal, we are excited for our future English endeavors.

LORI & PETER CONWAY CONWAY ARABIANS CHATFIELD, MN

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

There is definitely not one thing that says if I have “X”, it will be an English horse. It takes a couple “X’s” to be checked off and in no particular order, our list:

1. Long, upright neck with a good “hinge” at the poll.

2. Good shoulder with a lot of depth from point of shoulder to the heart girth.

3. Front legs set out in front of them with long forearms and short cannons with strong pasterns and good feet.

4. A good “set” to the hind leg so they can drive from behind and carry themselves.

5. Short back and strong hindquarter with a high, straight tail.

6. Beautiful face. Big dark eyes and a good set to the mouth to wear two bits.

7. Attitude. Without trainability and work ethic, it doesn’t matter how well they are conformed. The opposite is also true, a good attitude can overcome a few conformational weaknesses.

8. Pedigree. There are very few freaks of nature and with selective breeding, success is easier to obtain.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

Our foals are normally born between April and July, so we are in no rush to start any of them until their 3-year-old year.

Until you get them going, you don’t know who are going to

come along easy and fast or require a more methodical, time consuming process to develop into good citizens. The 3-yearold futurities have never been a priority for our program.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

It would be interesting to look at the statistics and see just how many 6-year-olds vs. 5-year-olds are entered and shown in the class. Of those, how many of the 6-year-olds are winning over the 5-year-olds and what percentage are making it into the top placings of the class. For our program, it works well to have it for 5- and 6-year-olds.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

It sounds like it would be fun and gets our competitive juices flowing, but the reality is that it would not work that well in the Arabian breed in our opinion. Having Grand Championships like the Morgans and Saddlebreds, would take a re-vamping of our class structures and our mind set of being a blue ribbon winner in a class and not a National Champion unless you won the Grand Championship, would not sit well with most people.

Ar abian Horse Times | 12 | English • 2019

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

We are a full-service center, from the breeding, to raising, to training, to marketing and showing of horses, and even in some cases, the retiring of horses. Ashton handles all the books and communications for the breedings to the five stallions we stand and 200 mares or so a year that are bred.

Ashton and I, along with John and Leah Beth Golladay train, every one of us a National Champion Open competitor and proud of it!

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

We look for quality, high necks, short backs, rear ends that are lower than the shoulders, straight legs, and balanced motion. Usually the pedigree tells us ahead of time whether they will be trainable or not. Being trainable is key; if you don’t have a trainable horse but have all the other qualities, you probably still don’t have much.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

We start all of our late 2-year-olds when we come back from Nationals. You can usually tell early on how strong they are and whether or not they will be mentally or physically ready to compete as a 3-year-old. Most are not ready. Sometimes clients will get disappointed if they don’t show as 3-yearolds but we don’t see at it as a negative. Some of our very best horses did not show as 3-year-olds. If selling is the goal, often times the earlier you show the better, but we will let that 3-year-old tell us when it is ready. That’s the only rule: that they stay happy, not grumpy or irritated. The ears, the tail and symmetry of movement are telltale signs if things are going good or bad. At the first sign of any of those things going in the wrong direction, we back off immediately. I believe if you go too far with a 3-year-old, it is hard to recover.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

People have been talking about this for a few years now and there are two sides. Some people want the horses in the

JOEL & ASHTON KIESNER KIESNER TRAINING LOUISVILLE, TN

arena faster with their amateurs so that they can sell them.

I personally feel that it’s not in the best interest of most horses to do that. If it comes down to making money or taking care of the horses, I will always come down on the side of the horse.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I’m in favor of it. I feel like that is largely what the Jackpot classes are, so maybe the question is, should just the winners of the different age divisions come back and not have to go through sections, which I am also in favor of. It eliminates cuts. There would be a lot of choices and it would seem implausible to show in the country division, then Jackpot, and then the Grand Championship, but in principle, I like it.

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JK Heiristocracy+/

Afires Heir x VTM Pistachia U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION PLEASURE DRIVING Proudly owned by Deborah Pearson Shown by Jessica Clinton

GSF Insider

Afires Heir x PWA Tusea U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION AEPA $100,000 SADDLE SEAT FUTURITY Proudly owned by Kim Munro Shown by Shawn Rooker

Heirs Noble Love

Afires Heir x Noble Aphroditie U.S. NATIONAL UNANIMOUS CHAMPION ENGLISH PLEASURE Proudly owned by Karlton Jackson Shown by Joel Kiesner

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Photos by

Nobles Heir

Afires Heir x Noble Aphroditie U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION PARK AAOTR Proudly owned by Kathy Shippee & Emily Shippee Sideri Shown by Emily Shippee Sideri

Movin On Heir WA Afires Heir x The Way She Moves+ U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION ENGLISH PLEASURE AAOTR Proudly owned by Bradley Marlow & Dr. Joseph Kinnarney Shown by Dr. Joseph Kinnarney

Majestic Heir

Afires Heir x Ritida U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION H/A ENGLISH PLEASURE FUTURITY Proudly owned Kathy Shippee & Emily Shippee Sideri Shown by Joel Kiesner

Proudly owned by Bill & Shirley Reilich | Contact Kiesner Training 865.984.5245 AEPA Enrolled Sire | Breeders Sweepstakes Nominated Sire | SCID Clear | www.AfiresHeir.com Ar abian Horse Times | 15 | English • 2019

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www.KiesnerTraining.com

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1 1) Royal Style (VJ Royal Heir x Captivating Style) 2) Man Of Steel (VJ Royal Heir x DA Lady Tiffany) 3) Royal Heiress SOF (VJ Royal Heir x BL Miss Chips)

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4) FS Mac Ximilion (VJ Royal Heir x Mac Nificence Afire)

3

4

5

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5) Hello Kitty CCF (VJ Royal Heir x Mz Kitty) 6) Royalz (VJ Royal Heir x Brown Eyed Girlz)

Owned by Southern Oaks Farm | Kelli Aguirre| Jupiter, FL | 561-358-4118 Farm Manager: Debbie Reid | 304.261.8896 | SouthernOaksFarmLLC.com Multi-Program Nominated Sire | Standing at Kiesner Training | KiesnerTraining.com Barn: 865-984-5245 | Joel’s Cell: 865-556-0413 | Ashton’s Cell: 865-556-0412 Ar abian Horse Times | 19 | English • 2019

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

I am a small breeder who owns breeding stallions and breeds based on pedigrees, as well as looking at each individual’s conformation, disposition, work ethic and talent of the two I’m considering breeding. I love breeding for beauty as well as talent and athleticism.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

When I look at a young prospect, I usually look at how their neck comes out of the shoulder, as well as the poll of their neck. I also look at their length of back relative to their length of leg and look for a nice hip. Of course, good legs and feet as well.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

I start mine based on physical and mental maturity. They aren’t shown if they aren’t physically and mentally ready and I usually allow my trainers to make that determination.

I send the young horses that I feel are ready to training at the end of their 2-year/beginning 3-year-old year. They are evaluated throughout their entire training period.

KELLI AGUIRRE

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

In the English division, I do not feel that 4-year-olds are ready to go into classes with amateurs. Of course, there are a few amateurs that are the caliber of many trainers, but they are the exception, not the rule. I like for my babies to get a solid and successful, confident view of the show ring and that is for a trainer to give them, not an amateur. I want my babies to have a successful, happy life and show career, and that happens when they are solid in their knowledge of their jobs.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I think a grand championship for the country and English divisions would be an awesome competitive class!

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SOUTHERN OAKS FARM JUPITER, FL

HA English Pleasure futurity

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

We started with recreating my Aunt’s breeding program, breeding multi-Champion Bask daughters. We have chosen mares that have either shown in the English discipline or have multi-generational English producers in their pedigrees. We bred U.S. National Champion HA Toskcan Sun, whose granddam is out of my Aunt’s breeding program. We then breed Toskcan to our mares very successfully. Our first foal crop produced the U.S. National Champion HA California Sage.

MICHELLE HARRIS HARRIS ARABIANS / STACHOWSKI FARM

We have also started breeding Toskcan daughters to outside stallions. We are very excited to see the great quality they produce.

TEMECUL A, CA

We strive to produce great temperaments above all, which allow them to be great partners, whether at home or in the show ring!

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

High set shapely necks, nice slope to the shoulder, strong hip. Of course, beauty, but not above the other qualities.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

I start them as a 3-year-old, however, some are physically or mentally to immature, so we start them and they go back to the pasture to grow up.

Our current system doesn’t have a country division for the 4-year-old, only the AEPA for English Pleasure; something we really are needing to change so the 4-yearold country pleasure horse doesn’t get ready for the 3-yearold Futurity and then has nothing to show in during their 4-year-old year. We should either move the 3-year-old Futurity back to 4-year-olds, or have it open to both years or make another class.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I believe the class should be for 6-year-olds, and their 5th year should be their Junior horse year. I don’t like the idea of a 4-year-old in a Maturity. They aren’t mature enough physically/mentally for most amateurs.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I think a Grand Championship would be very exciting, but I don’t believe a Futurity horse should be competing with an aged horse.

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Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

We are a small Arabian and Half-Arabian breeding farm in the foothills of the Berkshire mountains in Northwest Connecticut. We breed for athleticism, beauty and tractable temperaments.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

We start at the feet and legs, the shoulder, back and hip with good hock placement. We look at how the neck is tied into the shoulder and comes up through the wither. We look for a nicely shaped neck and throat latch and a beautiful Arabian head with well-shaped, tipped in ears.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

We start long lining mature 2-year-olds; progressing to saddle work with 3-year-olds. Depending on the horse, we start them at age three. As for showing 3- or 4-year-olds, we feel it depends on the individual and the way they’re coming along in their training. We look to evaluate each individual and then develop an appropriate training schedule.

RAE PAIGE SCHWARZ

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I think it’s the right thing to not have 4-year-olds participating in the futurities. Many 4-year-olds are just not mature enough to compete at this level and at the intensity of the futurity classes.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

Sounds exciting and fun for all ages!

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QUARRY HILL FARM L AKEVILLE, CT

A PEDIGREE OF MOTION AND BEAUTY

2019 SCOTTSDALE UNANIMOUS CHAMPION ARABIAN ENGLISH PLEASURE with Jim Stachowski

Huck leb er r y Be y++ A f i r e Be y V Aut u m n Fi r e M HR Nobi l it y I X L M i s s Fi r ef ly RY Fi r e Gh az i

Bay El Be y++ Taf fon a *Ba sk++ Spar k l i n gbu rgu ndy *El i m ar Har Na h r a El Gh az i R L R a h Fi r e

Standing at Stachowski Farm | Owned by DELSAN Arabians, LLC Mantua, OH | Tel: 330-274-2494 | info@stachowski.com

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Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

My daughter, Morgan Leigh Runyon, and I have shown horses in the English discipline for many years. This past February, we embarked on a great new adventure with the purchase of the stallion Fire and Goldd, by Afire Bey V out of Brassmis. Morgan’s current show string includes one of his sons, Goldd Standard (out of Vee Gates, by Majesteit) whom she shows in country English pleasure, native costume and halter. “Digger” was Reserve National Champion last year in the Open and AOTH Saddle/Pleasure Type. She also has Get Rhythmn BF, who has many national and regional titles to his name in English pleasure, park and native costume. Recently Morgan purchased several of Fire and Goldd’s youngsters who are just beginning their training and showing tons of promise. So, our program is based primarily on Fire and Goldd and his offspring because they are talented, trainable and gorgeous and they have the best personalities ever. We are focused on producing exceptional individuals who are amateur-friendly because we believe that amateurs are the backbone of our industry.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

We look for a Digger! Obviously, a horse with all the right parts in all the right places has a much easier time bridling up and striding under himself, which makes him easier to train and less prone to musculoskeletal problems.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

That’s a case-by-case decision. Not every horse will be ready to start at the same time. So much depends on their growth rate and emotional maturity. We don’t push our youngsters.

We start slow, with a lot of ground work, and see how they progress. If, and only if, they are really ready, would we show them at three. The physical and mental pressure of showing at such a young age isn’t necessarily a recipe for longevity in the show ring.

RENEE PELZMAN HOLLY HILL FARMS LLC OCAL A, FL

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

Once in a while, you will come across an individual who is really ready for an amateur to show at age four, but in the English division, that’s the exception, not the rule. We are fine with the Maturity classes being for the “older youngsters.”

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

Our horses have enough going on as it is, with multiple cuts and multiple divisions. So, I like the idea in theory, but as a practical matter, it isn’t always fair to the horses that go so many times in one week. We always prioritize our horses’ health over the chance to win another ribbon.

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Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

We are a small boutique breeder specializing in quality English horses with type and athleticism. We like to think outside the box, incorporating our ranch-owned stallion Nicklebey Berry into our program, while also breeding to some of the finest in the Arabian horse industry. It’s a family affair; we get together and evaluate our foals and then decide who the mare should be bred back to. It’s a lifetime of dedication which takes endless hours of patience (which I don’t have, lol!).

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

We usually seriously look at the foals when they are about two weeks old. In our opinion and experience, you can see how they have unfolded and come together. We like a long, upright neck and a good hind leg set under the hip and not wobbly hocks. The industry as a whole has focused so much on the front ends of our horses, we have lost sight of some of the finer most important details, eyes and ears. We want a horse with expression and tippy ears and we want an effortless forward moving horse with precise movement and good tail carriage!

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

We personally are not very interested in showing a 3-yearold unless we want to market one. You really need to have a mature, confident individual that can mentally and physically withstand the pressure. We do feel the HalfArabians are more likely to have longevity if shown as a 3-year-old, but it’s just not necessarily our thing. We would be much more likely to show as a 4-year-old.

JILL SHERMAN SHERMAN RANCH PLEASANTON, CA

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I’m old … I like 5- and 6-year-olds.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I think it would add a little pizzazz, but I think the discipline should change every year, so it’s diverse and interesting for everyone.

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LAURA SHAFFER What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I think that it might be nice to have the Maturity classes open to 4-year-olds also. If I have a 4-year-old, I wouldn’t really have any classes that I, as an amateur, can show in until it’s 5. The age division and jackpot classes would be too deep and difficult for a 4-year-old to compete in. This would create a better chance for an amateur to compete on a 4-year-old.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I think that it is a great idea as long as there would still be a championship named for the age division. It is an opportunity to ride in another class if the rider chooses to do so. If it was in lieu of a championship, say the winner of an age division was pinned 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., and then had to show back in the Grand Championship class for a title, I would not be in favor of that scenario.

TRAINERS

CARMELLE & SHAWN ROOKER ROOKER TRAINING STABLES

ROOKERS

FENTON, MI

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

Our breeding program started with the purchase of AA Apollo Bey as a 3-year-old back in 1989. We then bred Apollopalooza, a 6-time National Champion English and Park horse. Despite losing Palooza at the young age of 10, his legacy has lived on through his get and now, grand-get. At Rooker Training Stable, we are focused on continuing our own breeding program, as well as advising our clients to breed pretty and athletic horses that can excel in the saddle seat discipline. Once those horses are old enough to enter our training barn, we ensure that each horse receives a solid foundation, enabling it to succeed in any discipline. Our approach to starting young horses has made Rooker Training Stable a go-to place to find up-andcoming superstars that can be competitive in the open and amateur divisions. As our young horses find new owners, we are able to continue breeding the highest quality of Arabian and Half-Arabian performance horses.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

We look for horses that have good form to function, starting from the ground up. We want to see good feet and straight legs first and foremost. We look for horses that are built square, meaning they have a short back, a strong hind end, and a laid-back shoulder. On their face, we look for big expressive eyes and pretty ears. The highest quality of motion and a long upright neck are essential in English pleasure horses.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

We start all of our young horses in the fall of their 2-year-old year.

The majority of them will stay in training for the duration of their 3-year-old year. Each individual horse is different. They progress at different speeds and at different times. They tell us when they are confident enough and fit enough to go show as a 3-year-old.

The horses that don’t make the 3-year-old futurity classes will be prepared to show as a 4-year-old.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

There are not many horses that are mentally and physically ready to be shown by an amatuer as a 4-year-old. However, it would be nice for the few that are ready, to be able to show against other young horses without having to go through the process of qualifying for a National class.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

The way the schedule is laid out right now, there are plenty of classes for the horses to compete in. We are not opposed to the idea of grand championships as long as they are set up in a way that it is not too many classes for our performance horses to handle.

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Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

My husband and I are small breeders with the goal of producing saddle seat horses that I want to show.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

What everyone is looking for... upright neck, short back, and a lot of slope for shoulder, hip angle and pasterns.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

It really depends on the horse but the majority of ours are “started” at the end of their 2-year-old year. Before we send them to Rookers, they learn to lunge, wear leather and long line. Some of them are backed. Thereafter, they tell us the pace that they can handle.

We don’t show many 3-year-olds, but again, it really depends upon the individual. Some should wait until their 4-year-old year. The first show that GSF Insider ever went to was U.S. Nationals in 2018 as a 4-year-old and she won the AEPA Saddle Seat Futurity class her first time showing. We made a conscious decision in 2017 not to show her as a 3-year-old, and it paid off.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I actually am in favor of this and I believe it’s better for the horses.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I think this works well in other breeds, but don’t support it for ours.

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KIM MUNRO FARM AFFILIATION:

ROOKER TRAINING STABLE FENTON, MI

AN EXCEPTIONAL SHOW HORSE A PROVEN SIRE 100% NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN FIRST FOAL CROP!

WP FASHIONISTA (x IXL SAPHIRE)

2018 Canadian National Champion

WP CORPORATE AMERICA (x BARBARYS ANGEL)

2018 U.S. National Reserve Champion 2016 U.S. National Champion

WP CORPORATE IMAGE (AFIRES HEIR X PLAY GIRL MSC, BY TRADITIO) 2018 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION ENGLISH PLEASURE OPEN

AEPA Enrolled Sire | Breeders Sweepstakes Nominated Sire Stud Fee: $2,500 1317 Botetourt Road, Fincastle, VA 24090 David and Cindy Bandy | 540-798-8461 | dbandy@spectrumpc.com www.Wiloma.com Ar abian Horse Times | 38 | English • 2019

WILOMA

PLANTATION

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

Wiloma Plantation’s breeding program focuses on English performance horses for both purebreds and Half-Arabians.

We were a 2018 APAHA Breeder of the Year finalist for horses we bred sired by WP Corporate Image, the 2018 Canadian National English Pleasure Champion, while his first foal, WP Fashionista, was Canadian National English Pleasure Junior Champion. His second foal, WP Corporate America, was National Champion English Pleasure Futurity and 2018 U.S. Reserve National Champion English Pleasure Jr. Horse. Wiloma is breeding horses using Polish and Crabbet lines that have proven themselves over time. Wiloma also has a unique HalfArabian program blending Saddlebreds, Dutch Harness horses and Hackneys for superior mares to breed back to WP Corporate Image.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

Wiloma is breeding horses with extreme upright necks that are flexible and with great throat latches. This has to be backed up by short backs, straight legs and very strong hocks. The high tail carriage of the Arabian is important as well. The next criteria is trainability; they have to want to do it. This is what we try to achieve when breeding, because this is what it takes to be competitive.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

For a special horse, maybe start them as a late 2-year-old to show as a futurity horse, but Wiloma usually starts them as a late 3-year-olds. We listen closely to our trainers, but we make the final decision on what we think is best for the horse.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I am fine with that. Most people who have a really nice horse are thinking of the AEPA for a 4-year-old. In 2017,

DAVID BANDY WILOMA PLANTATION

FINCASTLE, VA

Wiloma bred two of the top four horses in the AEPA, both sired by WP Corporate Image. The Maturity gives options for owners with their young horses beyond their 4-year-old year.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I assume you are talking about the amateur division. I think that is a terrific idea. It would really point out who is the best in each of these divisions. I also think that the open Grand Championship classes should have no more than 10 horses who are competing for Champion and Reserve Champion, so everyone including the judges are not overwhelmed.

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E N G L I S H E L E G A N C E S I N C E 1997

Kirby Arabians

CP Manifesto ROL Lets Dance

Schatzberg photos

CP Shenanigan

MULTI-NATIONAL CHAMPIONS PRESENTED BY KATHERINE KIRBY OWNED BY KIRBY ARABIANS, LLC. | SIOUX FALLS, SD TRAINED BY STACHOWSKI FARM | 12561 ST. RT. 44 | MANTUA, OH 44255 | 330.274.2494 INFO@STACHOWSKI.COM | WWW.STACHOWSKI.COM Ar abian Horse Times | 40 | English • 2019

Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

My family and I have been involved with the Arabian breed for the last 21 years and started a small breeding program in 2014. Breeding some of our own babies has added a new element to the sport for me and it’s been a true joy to watch them develop and see their potential.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

I feel that each horse is different when it comes to training.

The Stachowski team has done a wonderful job at training our horses and letting the horse set the pace. When it comes to showing, I have had horses in the past that were ready to show as a 4-year-old and others that weren’t ready until they were five. I tend to be more on the cautious side of things and like waiting until they are five, simply for developmental purposes.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I think it would be great if the Maturity was open to 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds.

KATHERINE KIRBY

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

I think that’s an interesting idea. A fun spin on things!

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FARM AFFILIATION :

STACHOWSKI FARMS MANTUA, OH

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www.PerfectProductsEQ.com | 877-324-8002

Perfect Prep | GastroEase | Lactalex | Perfequin | ProEnergy | Joint Impact | Perfect Blok | ProtEQtor Ar abian Horse Times | 43 | English • 2019

Photo ©Howard Schatzberg Photography

When he’s prepared, the possibilities are limitless.

THE ARABIAN ENGLISH PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATION

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$1,755,000 in prize money paid out to date!

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Futurity AR ABI AN ENGLISH PERFOR M ANCE ASSOCI ATION

Date & Location:

FEB. 13-23, 2020 SCOTTSDALE, AZ MAY 23-26, 2019 COLUMBUS, OH OCT. 18-26, 2019 TULSA, OK

SCOTTSDALE SHOW February 13-23, 2020 ~ Scottsdale, AZ BUCKEYE SWEEPSTAKES May 23-26, 2019 ~ Columbus, OH U.S. NATIONALS October 18-26, 2019 ~ Tulsa, OK

Years in existence: 12 Years

2019 Projected Futurity Payout: $190,000+

Nomination Fees & Deadlines: MARE NOMINATIONS (Auction Foals Only): March 31, 2019 STALLION NOMINATIONS: MUST donate a breeding to the annual AEPA stallion Auction in January.

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W W W.AR ABI ANENGLISHPERFOR M ANCEASSOCI ATION.COM Ar abian Horse Times | 45 | English • 2019

AEPA

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In men’s saddle seat attire, what is a current trend you are seeing?

Both trainers and amateur men suits are very conservative with ties, shirts and vests being the only fashion statement. When selecting their suits, durability of the fabric would be the first criteria, especially for trainers.

We also like to suggest two pairs of pants for every coat as they take a beating going from horse to horse at a show.

In ladies’ attire, there seems to be a big push toward solid suits again. What advice would you give when on the fence about a day coat vs. saddle suit?

Everyone should have a suit in their show wardrobe, it is a standard and never goes out of style. The contrasting coats are an additional way to expand the ladies show attire. Everyone loves the option of a coat as it is more fun and can be fashion forward for both the exhibitor and the audience. Showing horses is a wonderful sport and clothing and fashion are something that might help attract new clients to the sport.

When taking your suit out for the first time of a new season and trying it on, what should one consider regarding fit?

Are your clothes in good repair and current to the new fabrics continually available? How is the fit? Youth riders grow, do not wait until the week before the show to try clothing on your child; frequently, things do not fit in length or circumference. Refresh your garments for a new season with a new shirt, vest and tie if your clothing meets your standards of look and fit, otherwise, pass it along to another rider.

When it comes to dry cleaning saddle seat attire, what advice do you have?

Take it only to a reputable dry cleaner and give them some guidelines. Dry clean only, no washing; even your satin or silk shirts must be dry cleaned. Coats in silk, satin or delicate fabrics should be cleaned and pressed on delicate temps and not pressed hard and too hot. Pants should have the dry mud cleaned off before you give them to a cleaner, do this with a towel. Your knee patches are ultrasuede and can be dry cleaned normally, they are NOT leather, make sure they know this, or they may put them in a leather cycle which is not good for wool. Dry clean after every horse show as sweat and grooming products can lift the color out of the fabric and anything sticky on your saddle and pants are deadly to your

SHOW SEASON CUSTOM RIDING APPAREL SCOT TSDALE, AZ

fabric. Your jod pants must have a center crease. Many times we see no crease or pressing, with the bottoms not even and lopsided which looks bad in the stirrup. Remove the pant straps before sending to the cleaners, they will not dry clean well, wipe them with a wet cloth.

Regarding accessories in the show arena, what do you suggest?

Men prefer to make their fashion statements with the shirt, vest, tie and a unique pocket square. Personal preference reigns for the ladies as they are typically more fashion conscious and love the flexibility of choices for shirts, ties and vests. Jewelry is a matter of taste, but simplicity is always the best rule of attire.

If considering selling your saddle suit, where can you do so and how do you know what is the best price?

Social Media is the best form with photos and sizes.

Pricing is up to the individual and should be relevant to the age, condition and alterability.

What do you say to someone who is purchasing a custom suit for the first time?

Start with a suit, everyone needs a suit in their wardrobe, male or female. A color that will go on any horse and all divisions is a timeless piece that will take them through the show season and be a timeless piece from which to build!

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Please share with our readers, some insight into your program.

We work hard, try to buy better horses, old and young, treat our customers fairly, keep an open mind and try to keep improving each year. Last time I checked, I think almost everyone in our industry does that.

When looking at a young prospect, what do you look for regarding conformation?

Tall, soft neck, laid back shoulder, good legs and feet, hind legs that are angular and not camped out, and overall quality motion and appearance.

When do you feel is the best time to start a Saddle Seat prospect and how do you determine if you will show them as a 3- vs. 4-year-old?

We normally start horses when they are coming 3 years of age; I think the horses determine when you will show them. Horses with different pedigrees and attitudes mature and train at different paces. We try to start them all the same, and based on their strength, maturity and the customers goals, try to evaluate how quickly or slowly to bring one along.

What are your thoughts on the Maturity classes being for 5- and 6-year-olds, and not for 4-year-olds?

I’ve always thought you should be able to show 4-, 5- or 6-year-olds, but you can only show them two years. I, however, have no problem at all with the current format.

What are your thoughts on a grand championship for the Country and English divisions, where all age divisions would come back and show against each other?

Don’t we already have a lot of classes?

Ar abian Horse Times | 48 | English • 2019

RYAN STRAND LIBERTY MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER BUCYRUS, KS

2018 National Saddle Seat Leaders Includes U.S., Canadian and Youth National English Champion and Reserve wins. AEPA Saddle Seat Futurity, English Pleasure, Country English, and Park Horse classes. Open and amateur/junior classes only.

OVERALL ARABIAN & HALF-ARABIAN LEADING HORSES by number of wins

Owner

1. Bugzy Malone

3 championships

Peter Marsh

2. Drambuie Louie

1 championship, 2 reserves

Glenn or Kelly Gilbert

SD Graceland

3. Deucez Wild CCF

4. Big And Rich SCA CP Manifesto

Davinci Reflection WA Helluva Storm LR

Manhattan Aflame DCR MR Mayhem Noble Finery

ROL In The Fastlane SF Top Shelf

WP Fashionista

3 championships 3 reserves

2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships

Lindsay O’Reilly French Morgan Curtis Joseph Burich

Kirby Arabians LLC

Kendyl Peters Arabians, Inc. Connor Koch

Rob & Elizabeth Haar Connor Koch

Diane Comeau

Riley-Kate Bancroft Lian Oteiza

Bella Cavallo Stables LLC

ARABIAN LEADING HORSES by number of wins

Owner

1. SD Graceland

3 championships

Lindsay O’Reilly French

CP Manifesto

2 championships

Kirby Arabians LLC

2. Big And Rich SCA MR Mayhem Noble Finery

WP Fashionista

3. Afires Rejoice

Amplifire SAH Corleone

Movin On Heir WA Prosuasion

RGT Heirs Johnny

Supreme Sensation SMP

2 championships 2 championships 2 championships 2 championships

1 championship, 1 reserve

1 championship, 1 reserve 1 championship, 1 reserve 1 championship, 1 reserve 1 championship, 1 reserve 1 championship, 1 reserve

1 championship, 1 reserve

Joseph Burich Connor Koch

Diane Comeau

Bella Cavallo Stables LLC Conway Arabians, Inc. Silver Aspen Ranch Shelby Preston

Joseph Kinnarney/Bradley Marlow Laura & Nora Shaffer Grace Hertz

Alpert Arabians LLC

Ar abian Horse Times | 49 | English • 2019

HALF-ARABIAN LEADING HORSES by number of wins

Owner

1. Bugzy Malone

3 championships

3. Deucez Wild CCF

3 reserves

Morgan Curtis

2 championships

Connor Koch

2. Drambuie Louie

Peter Marsh

1 championship, 2 reserves

4. Davinci Reflection WA

Glenn or Kelly Gilbert

2 championships

Helluva Storm LR

Manhattan Aflame DCR

Kendyl Peters Arabians, Inc.

2 championships

ROL In The Fastlane

Rob & Elizabeth Haar

2 championships

SF Top Shelf

Riley-Kate Bancroft

2 championships

5. Carrie Bradshaw

Lian Oteiza

1 championship, 1 reserve

Vicki Humphrey

Double Or Nuttin

1 championship, 1 reserve

Linda Musso

Miss Central Park

1 championship, 1 reserve

CSP Rock On

1 championship, 1 reserve

GSF Alejandro

Natalie Lindmark

1 championship, 1 reserve

Sal Mineo BF

Bill Castro

Penny or Laura Carrington

1 championship, 1 reserve

Toi Sensation CRF

Boisvert Farms LLC

1 championship, 1 reserve

KGB Texas Marketing/Public Relations, Inc.

OVERALL LEADING ARABIAN SIRES by number of winning get

by number of wins

1. Afire Bey V

18

1. Afire Bey V

22

3. Baske Afire

11

3. Baske Afire

14

2. Afires Heir

17

4. IXL Noble Express

2. Afires Heir

7

SF Aftershoc

4. IXL Noble Express

7

5. Apollopalooza Black Daniels

7. SF Specs Shocwave

5. Apollopalooza

8

5

6. Black Daniels

7

SF Aftershoc

4

1. Afires Heir

16

1. Afires Heir

19

3. IXL Noble Express

6

3. IXL Noble Express

8

5

6. Baske Afire

3

5. Apollopalooza SF Specs Shocwave

Vegaz

4 3

3

2. Afire Bey V

4. Apollopalooza 5. Black Daniels Vegaz

6. SF Specs Shocwave

12 6 5 5

6

2. Jessica Clinton Joel Kiesner

Jonathan Ramsay

3. Jason Krohn

3

John Golladay

5. Dalton Budd

WP Corporate Image 3

6. Gabe DeSoto

VCP Magnifire

2. Afire Bey V

3. SF Aftershoc

1. Matthew Siemon

3

7. Baske Afire

2. Baske Afire

8

by number of winners

4. James Stachowski

by number of Half-Arabian wins

9

Top Ten included

4

by number of Half-Arabian winning get

1. Afire Bey V

5

OVERALL LEADING OPEN TRAINERS

by number of Arabian wins

4. Black Daniels

6

8. SF Specs Shocwave

by number of Arabian winning get 9

8

7. VCP Magnifire

LEADING ARABIAN SIRES

2. Afire Bey V

9

6

4

VCP Magnifire

9

Vegaz

6

6. Vegaz

20

1. Baske Afire

11

3. SF Aftershoc

7

4. Vegaz

10 4

James Lowe

Laura Rodel

Shawn Rooker Joshua Shino

Ar abian Horse Times | 50 | English • 2019

11 10 10 10 9 8 7 7 6 6 6 6 6

OVERALL LEADING OWNERS by number of horses

1. 6D Ranch Ltd.

Amazing Horse Woman LLC Cedar Ridge Arabians Elizabeth Haar

Starline Arabians LLC

4

2. Boisvert Farms LLC

4

Penny and Laura Carrington

4

Lindsay O’Reilly French

3 3

4

Conway Arabians, Inc.

3

4

Vicki Humphrey

3

Kathy & Emily Shippee

ARABIAN LEADING OWNERS

HALF-ARABIAN LEADING OWNERS

by number of horses

by number of horses

3 3

1. Cedar Ridge Arabians

3

1. 6D Ranch Ltd.

4

2. Amazing Horse Woman LLC

2

3. Amazing Horse Woman LLC

2

Lori Foster

2

Penny and Laura Carrington

Elizabeth Haar

2

Conway Arabians, Inc.

Bella Cavallo Stables LLC Lindsay O’Reilly French Kirby Arabians LLC Deborah Pearson

3 2 2 2

2. Starline Arabians LLC Boisvert Farms LLC

Vicki Humphrey

Kathy & Emily Shippee

3 2 2 2 2

2

OVERALL LEADING BREEDERS by number of horses

1. Cedar Ridge Arabians

7

4. Live Oak Arabians, Inc.

4

2. Vicki Humphrey

6

5. 6D Ranch Ltd.

3

5

Laura Gault

Marty Shea

3. Boisvert Farms LLC

Nick and Juliet Carden Prestige Farms LLC Lindsay Rinehart

7

5 5 5

Maroon Fire Arabians, Inc. Burrline LLC Robin Porter

Springwater Farms Arabians LLC

ARABIAN LEADING BREEDERS

HALF-ARABIAN LEADING BREEDERS

by number of horses

by number of horses

1. Nick and Juliet Carden Cedar Ridge Arabians

Maroon Fire Arabians, Inc.

2. Robin Porter

Prestige Farms LLC

Lindsay Rinehart Marty Shea

4 4 4

3

3 3

3

1. Vicki Humphrey

2. Boisvert Farms LLC

Live Oak Arabians, Inc. Marty Shea

3. Burrline LLC

Cedar Ridge Arabians

Springwater Farms Arabians LLC

Ar abian Horse Times | 51 | English • 2019

4 3 3

3

3

6 4 4

4

3

3 3

FOR YOUR NEXT ENGLISH CHAMPION CONTACT The Ames Family | Jordan, MN 952.492.2537 | www.Cedar-Ridge.com

S

RENAISSANCE TIME SMP AND JESSICA CLINTON 2019 SCOTTSDALE CHAMPION

IRED BY

S

IRED BY

Vicki Humphrey Training Center Representing Smoky Mountain Park Arabians Stallions.

MISS CENTRAL PARK AND VICKI HUMPHREY 2018 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION

OFFERING TALENTED YOUNG PROSPECTS • SIBLINGS TO NATIONAL WINNERS Rod & Jacqueline Thompson For Information Call Jacqueline: 865-816-2406

Lenoir City, TN www.SmokyMountainParkArabians.com

Ar abian Horse Times | 105 | Volume 49, No. 10

OranVanCrabbet A Love Letter

*

by STEPHEN KINNEY

Something big happened 50 years ago.

With his pioneering trainer Bob Hart, Sr., *Oran Van Crabbet won the 1969 U.S. Formal Driving and Formal Combination National Championships.

Combined with his 1966 crowning of U.S. National Champion Park Horse, he became the first horse to earn three U.S. national championships.

And things would not be quite the same thereafter.

Ar abian Horse Times | 106 | Volume 49, No. 10

In terms of Arabian park performance, *Oran Van Crabbet (OVC) ushered in change. To generalize, the typical English performance horse of the day trotted with what Gladys Brown Edwards termed “dwelling,” motion– low, straight-legged, with a hesitation at the end of the step. OVC was among the earliest Arabians on the American show scene to bend his knees and he, not so coincidentally, did this with ample flexion of hock. His neck was set on well above his shoulders and he would be considered upright even by the standards of today’s Arabian English performance horses. Keep in mind when examining a photo of this horse trotting, those were the days of 12-ounce keg shoes, no pads, four-inch toes, and performance vets had not yet been invented.

Glady Brown Edwards used the adjective “perfect” to describe his motion.

In the 1970s, *Oran Van Crabbet was so popular with audiences at Arabian events, that there was an unofficial movement to keep him and Mr. Hart before the public. He was invited to carry the American flag at U.S. Nationals, and it was quite a sight to see the Stars and Stripes flying behind a highly animated park horse with a jockey riding one-handed.

And a few years later, he and Mr. Hart, joining Gene LaCroix and the *Bask++ son, The Judge, made nightly appearances to exhibit the ideal Arabian park horse at the first ever Arabian Horse Fair in Louisville, Kentucky.

It was a big moment in U.S. Arabian history that OVC arrived on the show scene; at the same time of the Polish invasion. *Bask++, winning U.S. National Champion Park Horse in 1965, also played an important role in the trotting revolution, introducing his seminal bloodlines to the American Arabian scene. Soon his sons and daughters were setting new performance standards, and the catch-phrase “pure Polish” captured the imagination of Arabian breeders and the pocket books of industry investors. But despite efforts to stand *Oran Van Crabbet in various parts of the country and despite the charisma that attracted fans to his every appearance, his bloodlines, it seemed, lacked the fashionability so important at the time.

“How it all began

I was 12 in 1967 when, with my family, we stepped for the first time across the threshold of a real Arabian breeding farm. The Dow Arabians were housed in a barn connected to Merle and Emma Dow’s service station in the small town of Perham, in northern Maine. Their son, Dr. Ronald “Ron” Dow, was an English professor at the University of Maine Presque Isle. As we would come to know, he was fascinated by genetics, whether that was breeding Arabian horses, Collie dogs or cultivating perennials and vegetables in his gardens. And we would enjoy his storytelling over many years of friendship.

The broodmares we met on that first visit to Dow Arabians were descended from great old Crabbet bloodlines. What inspired awe that day, however, was that the barn also housed one stallion and one mare from Crabbet Park. They were, obviously, imported in the twilight years of that important breeding program.

In the end stall of the barn was the 1961 stallion *Wentworth Silver Shadow, who is a son of Bright Shadow (x Wentworth Golden Shadow, by Indian Gold), the grandsire of Odessa, who is the dam of *Padron. Wentworth Silver Shadow’s head was so exotic as to be unforgettable.

Ar abian Horse Times | 107 | Volume 49, No. 10

*This rarely seen photo shows *Oran Van Crabbet as a weanling at Crabbet Park in England. It was sent to the Dow family by Cecil Covey in 1960 resulting in the colt’s purchase.

Ron Dow recalls the family’s experience importing horses from the legendary stud farm in England. “In 1959 Crabbet had been inherited by Cecil Covey after the death of Lady Wentworth. Covey had an ad showing *Shorana for sale in The Arabian Horse News. My father wanted her, so he bought her in foal to Bright Shadow. She arrived not in foal, so we bred her in 1960 to Naharin (Gulastra x Rimini, by Skowronek).”

Shorana produced the handsome black chestnut stallion Naaharrinn. Had he not lived in the shadow of a famous barnmate, we might be writing his story today.

“We went back to Covey in the fall of 1960 and asked if he had a colt we might buy,” Ron remembers. “He said he only had one and that he would only sell him because it was out of the country. He also said we wouldn’t want him because we had his three-quarter sister [*Shorana]. We bought him anyway.”

They purchased that colt from a weanling photo, rarely seen outside of the household and printed with this article. The price was $1,100, less than the cost of transporting him by ship across the Atlantic to New York. He arrived in Maine unnamed. Ron named him in a way that would honor his origins: *Oran Van Crabbet. His pedigree (Oran x *Serafina, by Indian Gold) was an amalgam of Crabbet breeding dating back primarily to Lady Anne and Sir Wilfred Blunt’s earliest importations from the desert.

In 1968, when *Oran Van Crabbet was between national championships, he bred the mare Naheefe. She was a daughter of Hanraff, the chestnut son of *Raffles who in turn was out of a daughter of *Hanad (known for being a trick horse in the Kellogg Ranch Sunday exhibitions). The cross produced Vanraf, who would most famously sire the astounding multi-national champion Countess Vanessa. She, of course, was the HalfArabian park mare who set the world on fire in the late 80s, early 90s, with Jim Stachowski.

Ron moved his horses to a new farm in nearby Easton, Maine in 1974. Prior to hitting the show scene, OVC had bred the Dow Arabian mares mentioned earlier. Over the years he was also crossed on the daughters of *Wentworth Silver Shadow,

Ar abian Horse Times | 108 | Volume 49, No. 10

Oran Vancandesent, above (with Rich Waller up), and Oran Vanderbask (below), were two winning show geldings from the cross of *Oran Van Crabbet on a *Bask++ Comet mare.

Viva Van Crabbet (Ellen Burgeson, up) was the last foal sired by *Oran Van Crabbet.

the resultant offspring contributing to Arabian herds in the state of Maine and neighboring Canada. Ron also crossed the blood of *Oran Van Crabbet and his paternal three-quarter-brother *Silver Vanity (Oran x Silver Gilt, by Indian Gold).

In the mid-70s *Oran Van Crabbet moved west, reuniting with Bob Hart, Sr. who was at that time resident trainer at Wayne Newton’s Aramus Arabians. This led to Mr. Hart and his heart horse putting on their memorable exhibition at the first ever Arabian Horse Fair in Louisville, Kentucky.

As the Polish invasion played its hand, Ron determined he was going to make a once-in-a-lifetime cross for the stallion. He talked with Dr. Gene LaCroix and stated explicitly he wanted a *Bask++ daughter to breed to OVC, and she had to be pure Polish, “I want to be the first to dilute the blood,” Ron shared in his unfailingly quotable fashion. Of course, he was making an informed wager.

Many of *Bask’s signature performers—Hask, Fame++, The Judge, Zodiac Matador+, Red Tape+//—were out of mares of predominantly Crabbet breeding.

His search led him to Janice Rust’s Halali Arabians in Georgia.

There he procured the mare HalaliEncandesent (*Bask x *Halali Enchanted, by Comet). Like many of *Bask’s fancy offspring, she was bright chestnut. Breeding her, Ron would

state, combined the blood of three big trotting Arabians of that generation, namely Comet, *Bask++ and *Oran Van Crabbet. It turned out to be a favorable cross, producing four offspring between the years of 1973 and 1978. Among them were the multi-champion show geldings, Oran Vanderbask and Oran Vancandesent.

After his show career, *Oran Van Crabbet moved to Dick Dady’s farm in Pennsylvania to stand at stud. There he would spend the remainder of his life, passing in 1982 at the New Bolton clinic of a ruptured colon. There exists a vintage video of the stallion dramatically bursting on the end of a lead out of the barn with Dick Dady, incredibly animated with his tail over his back as it always was, even into old age. It merits viewing and is preserved at wiloma.com/legacy.

Ar abian Horse Times | 109 | Volume 49, No. 10

Above: Oran Van Bandy, 1983 stallion, by *Oran Van Crabbet; and left: Countess Vanessa, who dominated Half-Arabian Park classes in the 1980s, and a paternal granddaughter of *Oran Van Crabbet.

ORAN VAN CRABBET’S LEGACY It is worth mentioning—and those in his inner circle can attest—that OVC himself was hot, hot, hot and that is probably putting it mildly. One thinks of the steady nerves it must have taken when Bob Hart hooked him to a jog cart for the first time to prepare him for his formal driving career; not for the faint of heart. But hot is not the same thing as untrainable and OVC took to harness work like he had been born to it. Those who worked his offspring confirm that these character traits were passed on to his best performing get. They were not easy or simple to train, but once you did things their way, they were fearless, energetic, and had presence in the show ring.

At Dick Dady’s the stallion attracted the attention of Garvin Tankersley, who produced GT Oran+/ (x Harmonyhill Gala) by him. He turned out to be a balanced-moving and hocky English pleasure horse. Mary Trowbridge cut her teeth as a saddle seat trainer on him.

“Cut my teeth,” Mary exclaims today, “I almost lost them. That horse was a breed apart. We had gotten him broke for maybe 60 days when I went to spend a week with Tim Shea to learn some of the nuances he is so good at. Some of my best mentors, along with Bill [Bohl], were the other people who grew up with Bob Hart, including Tim. And I came home and got back on that horse and decided I was going to put my new found learning to use. I decided to enforce respect for my leg. He was running through my leg one day and I gave him a big boot. In

an instant we both took a dive. He literally fell down. He laid there for two or three minutes. He got up and I got back on and he never touched my leg again.

“What a horse. So sensitive. The other horse I would compare him to was Red Tape. That’s how he was wired. Smart. A ton of retention. Hotter than the *Bask++ horses, but highly trainable. You didn’t know what you had at home. You knew what you had when you got to a horse show.”

The gelding Oran Vancandesent took many victory passes in both park and formal driving with Rich Waller, a trainer who has loved his “buggy horses” over the years. He recalls, “Those OVC horses were so gifted, especially gifted behind as far as the drive and the push that they had. They did a lot because of their natural ability. They were bred to do what they did, not trained to do what they did. As I look back, those are the things I appreciated about him. His heart was as big as they come. To sit here and look at his picture, his hocks and that ‘S’ curve neck he had, they are the two things that stick out the most.”

Two noteworthy sons were born the year after OVC’s death.

In 1982, David and Cindy Bandy were a young couple on a budget with an interest in owning English performance horses.

Prominent judge Judith Warner encouraged them to think about OVC. They became acquainted with the stallion through Dick Dady and thought him “breathtaking.” They lucked out when they found a half-Egyptian, half-Crabbet mare, whom they

Ar abian Horse Times | 110 | Volume 49, No. 10

WP Rosanna Orana, a Multi-National Champion HalfArabian by Oran Van Bandy, with Tish Kondas.

GT Oran+/, a 1980 gelding by *Oran Van Crabbet, with Mary Trowbridge.

purchased already in foal to him. The next year Ghataya would give them the glamorous grey colt they named Oran Van Bandy.

Apparently, she had the Crabbet gene for hardiness.

Their program has concentrated on producing Half-Arabians out of both Saddlebred and Hackney Horse mares by him, including the likes of Wham Bam Oran, WP Rosanna Orana and others who have distinguished themselves on the national scene. David’s observation of these athletes echoes comments by fellow believers. “They could be tough, but if you’re a good trainer, you don’t train them all the same way. They have been really gifted, with great impulsion from the rear end and really good hocks. They are upfronted horses. And there is that lofty tail carriage from their grandsire.”

David has also made himself a student of the bloodline. “Oran was held in the same esteem as Skowronek was at Crabbet. You look at Serafina, she was one of the great daughters of Indian Gold. When you look at Indian Gold, his neck was straight up in the air. *Oran Van Crabbet wasn’t a freak, he was a very deliberate breeding exercise that delivered exactly what he should have been.”

Today the Bandys’ Wiloma Plantation is perhaps the lone breeding program where exists a concentration of the blood of *Oran Van Crabbet. They use Oran Van Bandy’s son Orans Continuo to cross on other purebred performance bloodlines.

A FINAL OFFERING In 1982, Dick Dady alerted Ron Dow that an *Electric Storm daughter, Czara, was being offered for sale by Bazy Tankersley of Al-Marah Arabians. Czara was three-quarters Crabbet with an outcross to old Egyptian bloodlines. She was 18 at the time, her age suggesting there might be some risk associated with purchasing her as a broodmare.

“Can she make the trip?” Ron asked.

“She could walk here,” Dick responded.

So, in the summer of 1982, Czara traveled to Dick Dady’s.

She arrived in heat and was bred the same day. *Oran Van Crabbet died the following day. In 1983 Czara delivered a gray colt. With typical aplomb, Ron gave the last foal of his great horse the distinctive name Viva Van Crabbet. He would go on to be a stylish performance horse for Ellen Burgeson’s Brefny Croft Arabians.

As the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20. *Oran Van Crabbet was a maternal half-brother to *Serafix and *Silver Drift, all three being out of the Blue Hen mare Serafina. While he was loved in the show ring, he did not contribute all he might have to the gene pool. To a person, those interviewed in this article mentioned that his blood would have provided a valuable outcross, had there been more, especially mares. And, when you look at the descendants mentioned here, they demonstrate he had the ability to contribute trot, hock, ambition and athleticism.

For those of us who got to see him perform, it is like bragging you saw Wing Commander or Secretariat in the day. He gave us a taste of what the future of the Arabian English performance horse would look like. He had a neck like a periscope. His was an arrogant, tail flagging, snort and blow presence that we looked for in the horses we loved then and continue to hold in highest regard today. ■ Longtime horseman, Stephen Kinney, is today Editorial Director of The Morgan Horse magazine.

Ar abian Horse Times | 111 | Volume 49, No. 10

W I L O M A P L A N TAT I O N A N D O R A N VA N C R A B B E T

Tradition with a Future

W iloma Plantation is dedicated to breeding excellent English horses for the future utilizing the great Crabbet lines of the past.

A dominant factor in Wiloma’s breeding program is the stallion Oran’s Continuo, son of Oran Van Bandy and grandson of Living Legend Oran Van Crabbet.

Wiloma’s Polish mares (no Huckleberry Bey) bred to Oran’s Continuo have produced daughters which are scheduled to be crossed with Wiloma’s 2018 Canadian National Champion English Pleasure Horse, WP Corporate Image.

Multi-U.S. National Champion & Reserve WHAM BAM ORAN+/ (Oran Van Bandy x Castlewood’s Kitty O’Neal)

Multi-U.S. National Champion & Reserve WP ROSANNA ORANA (Oran Van Bandy x Rose)

ORAN’S CONTINUO (Oran Van Bandy x Bold Lyric)

Plantation’s recent successes at Nationals Wareiloma the harbingers of successes yet to come.

WILOMA

PLANTATION

APAHA 2018 BREEDER

DAVID AND CINDY BANDY | 540.798.8461 |

WILOMAPLANTATION@GMAIL.COM

OF THE

YEAR

FINALIST

| 1317 BOTETOURT ROAD, FINCASTLE, VA 24090 |

Ar abian Horse Times | 112 | Volume 49, No. 10

WWW.WILOMA.COM

OranVanCrabbet

*

(Oran x *Serafina by Indian Gold)

1966 Painting From Life by Elizabeth Bell 1966 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION PARK HORSE 1969 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION FORMAL DRIVING 1969 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION FORMAL COMBINATION WINNING THE “TRIPLE CROWN” OF HIGH ACTION HORSES 50

YEARS AGO

Remembering*OranVanCrabbet In 1960 your weanling photo came from Crabbet Park. Even better, you crossed the ocean and came home to us. At first you were a wild child, but you met Bob Hart, Sr. He channeled your spirit into one of the breed’s all-time great English performance horses and you made history.

You were the horse of a lifetime and we knew it.

BRED BY CRABBET PARK | OWNED BY DOW ARABIANS | TRAINED BY BOB HART, SR. DR. RON DOW | DRRONDOW@GMAIL.COM Ar abian Horse Times | 113 | Volume 49, No. 10

32 nd A N N UA L D ARLEY A WARDS R ETURNS T O I TS R OOTS

by Evie Tubbs Sweeney, photos by Pamela Burton

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 32nd Annual Darley Awards ...

There is something so raw, so primal, in how we see ourselves mirrored in the flight of a racehorse. In their struggle, we see our struggle. In their fight, we see our fight. In their courage, we see our courage. In their victory, we feel our own victory.

The horse, and in particular the Arabian horse, has walked alongside mankind throughout history, an embodiment of courage that humanity has leaned on for fortitude and strength for centuries. It is no wonder the racetrack serves as a grand stage exhibiting their heart and soul, courage and fire, honesty and inner imperatives that glow with a daring ferocity of determination.

It is a humbling experience for us. Seeing them summons us to stand in the presence of our own mystery. Perhaps you thought we were here tonight to praise the paramount statistics of 2018. I’m here to tell you that we are here because of a convergence of MOMENTS. Moments that began long before us. Moments that were put in motion by a group of visionaries who answered a high calling borne from the horses that inspired them to be better, do more, dream bigger. And tonight, by our very existence in this room, we are here to honor them and channel their vision once more, as they would have hoped we would do.

We are here to celebrate the present, to hail the moments of 2018 that gave us wings, moments that stood still, that transitioned from being a sport into becoming a still snapshot of inspiration and joy... a ‘tonic for the soul.’. And we are here to embrace the future… embrace it in a way that recognizes our responsibilities as the caretakers of the Arabian horse RIGHT NOW at this time in history, just as our predecessors did before us, and others will long after we are gone. We sit here in full and humble recognition that this is OUR chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time.

Michelle Morgan with Horse of the Year winner, owners Joe & Betty Gillis.

When we go through life, the battle is won from within. It is a journey of fight, of insistence, of believing in yourself, of rising above adversity, of overcoming the odds when others say it can’t be done, of striving valiantly even when your face is marred by dust and sweat.

THIS is why this sport livens our soul. THIS is why tonight we celebrate the moments more than the statistics. And THIS is why the heart and soul of our beloved Arabian horse – who unifies us in our passion – is on full display when it is in full flight.

So, it is my hope that tonight, you don’t simply witness the accolades. Or hear another speech. Or see another race. Rather, I hope you feel the largeness of these moments we are experiencing as a community together; you feel the pride of our founders who envisioned this evening long ago; you feel the divinity of the shared moments these beloved horses gave us; and you feel the inspiration of tomorrow for all we can accomplish together.

Michael & Vicki Economopoulos accept for KA Czubuthan.

Ar abian Horse Times | 114 | Volume 49, No. 10

individuals joined the prestigious ranks of Darley Award winners for their achievements in 2018:

After five over-the-top years of the Darley Awards being hosted at the prestigious Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) in Hollywood, its move this year to Houston left the Arabian horseracing world watching in curiosity as to how it would respond. After all, Hollywood is understandably difficult to top.

Its response? The Arabian horse stands on its own. And it not only stood on its own beautifully and capably… it turned its audience inside out and left all brimming with unparalleled inspiration and unification as a community enraptured with the heart and soul of the Arabian racehorse.

The elegant weekend kicked off at nearby Sam Houston Race Track on Friday evening, March 22nd for the $20,000 Darley Distaff and the $20,000 Darley Sprint, both sponsored by new race sponsor Lufthansa Cargo, who presented trophies and coolers to each of the winners sporting the familiar Lufthansa Cargo brand. Guests enjoyed excellent views of the finish line from a private suite situated on the upper track level, complemented by the exciting back-to-back Arabian sprint races that contained several Darley nominees. Both races delivered dramatic, breathtaking finishes that had everyone lost for words and full of smiles, excited chatter and clinking glasses. The veteran Easter Man and superstar Quick Sand AA dueled in a mighty homestretch battle in the seven-furlong Darley Sprint resulting in a photo finish that ultimately saw Easter Man prevail. As if his courageous finish could be more extraordinary, Easter Man achieved this feat after setting the track record just two weeks earlier in the $50,000 Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup (G1) at the same distance.

BURN EM JOEY: Darley 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding of the Year DANCE WITH ME BW: Darley 3-Year-Old Filly of the Year

COLORS IN MOTION: Darley 4-Year-Old Colt/Gelding of the Year Dianne Waldron, owner of Dance With Me BW.

UPTOWN SANDY GIRL: Darley 4-Year-Old Filly of the Year QUICK SAND AA: Darley Older Horse of the Year DREAM PEARL: Darley Older Mare of the Year JOE & BETTY GILLIS: Darley Breeder of the Year JOE & BETTY GILLIS: Darley Owner of the Year

JERENESTO TORREZ: Darley Trainer of the Year Denise Gault and husband Randy, accept Tent of Honor induction.

CAROL CEDENO: Darley Jockey of the Year QUICK SAND AA: Darley Horse of the Year

Arabian Racing Hall of Fame inductee: KA Czubuthan, owned by Michael and Vicki Economopoulos Arabian Racing Tent of Honor inductee: Denise Gault, for significant lifetime achievements and substantial contributions to Arabian racing.

Jerenesto Torrez, Trainer of the Year.

The seven-furlong, all-female Darley Distaff followed and dispensed equivalent exhilaration as uber-talented Uptown Sandy Girl, owned and bred by Jon & Krista Henningsgard of Uptown Arabians, battled with upand-coming star Dance With Me BW, but once again proved her extreme talent, winning by one length.

The celebration kicked into high gear the next evening for the 32nd Annual Darley Awards. Over 100 guests from the United States and Europe ascended onto the St. Regis Houston where they were greeted with champagne upon arrival before snapping their official photograph and enjoying pre-dinner cocktails. Doors opened to the Astor Ballroom for a superlative multi-course dinner that preceded the Darley Awards program.

With the fall of the lights, the Awards commenced. Along with a powerful short film highlighting each Horse of the Year since 1987, the following

AJC LIVE streamed the Darley Awards, reaching more than 3,000 viewers from around the world; made possible by Dianne Waldron of Rosebrook Farms, owner of Dance With Me BW.

“There is not a grander celebration of the Arabian racehorse and its people than the Darley Awards, and this year was no exception,” said Ms. Michelle Morgan, Chief Steward of the Darley Awards’ Arabian Racing Cup. “It was a weekend full of inspiration, elegance, fun and a celebration of all the things that unify us in our passion as a community dedicated to the Arabian racehorse.”

In the end, whether your preference is racing, halter, dressage, reining, English pleasure, western, endurance or the myriad of activities available, one inalienable truth will always remain … the Arabian horse is always enough.

The 33rd Annual Darley Awards returns to Houston in 2020.

Watch the official broadcast here: bit.ly/Darleys19Video

Ar abian Horse Times | 115 | Volume 49, No. 10

Our Town

Monthly Column by Riyan

car·pe di·em noun: the enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future “Don’t ever forget that moment when you first heard your own voice.”

The

Latin phrase, carpe diem literally means, “pluck the day.” It was used by the Roman poet Horace to teach readers to enjoy life while they can. The full phrase, “carpe diem quam minimum credula postero,” is more accurately translated as “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one,” but carpe diem alone has come to be the popular shorthand for this entire phrase, which is more commonly known as “seize the day.”

On my flight home from the whimsical wedding of Stuart and Rebecca Vesty, I was moved to watch the movie, Dead Poets Society with Robin Williams. It took less than five minutes into the movie to realize that the next Our Town column was coming my way through a message I had missed the first time I watched the movie.

In this 50s period drama, the words, “Carpe diem. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary,” were whispered by Robin Williams’ character into the ears of young men feeling the pressure to conform to society’s expectations of them. It was a chilling scene that instantly reminded me of my favorite YouTube video featuring Robin Williams after his untimely death. The video is an exceptionally moving montage of movies featuring Robin Williams’ spectacular life while he recites a speech on living life to its fullest.

Today, the movement of nonconformity, in my view, does not radically differ from the youth of the 50s. Mental illness, depression and suicide were not topics of conversation in every day life as they are now, but the pressure to conform to others expectations were just as deadly and the desire to “seize the day” was as coveted and confusing.

The question that is now haunting me, is the pressure to be strikingly different causing as much pain as the pressure of conforming to what is expected? Are we trapped in the expectations of others, our parents or peers, or are we trapped in our own expectations of who we think we should be? Either way, the trap is the same.

Be heard Be seen Be yourself Be different Be who they say you should be Or maybe, just Be Today, make a decision to seize the day. Just be you and release yourself from the trap. You alone hold the key. Remain true to yourself while balancing the tight wire of certainty that being who you are does not cause unjust suffering or pain to others.

-Riyan

Ar abian Horse Times | 116 | Volume 49, No. 10

Youth Nationals 2019 Preview & Yearbook

2019 T H E M E :

Knights of the Show Ring IN PRINT

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ONLINE

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IN TOUCH

C ON TAC T YOU R A H T SA LE S R E PR E S E N TAT I V E T O R E S E RV E YO U R PA G E S T O DA Y !

W W W. A H T I M E S . C O M 1 - 8 0 0 -2 4 8 - 4 6 37 o r 9 52 - 4 9 2 -321 3 – s a l e s @ a h t i m e s . c o m Ar abian Horse Times | 117 | Volume 49, No. 10

Arabian Horse

FRIENDSHIPS

CHRISTENA FERRAN ROELL AND B E T H H A RR I S O N R U N YA N Ar abian Horse Times | 118 | Volume 49, No. 10

ARABIAN HORSE FRIENDSHIPS

Christena …

______________________ “She became the best kind of friend imaginable and is like a true sister to me. I know I’m speaking for both of us when I say that we have been, and will always be, there for each other no matter what.” ~Christena

______________________

How were you introduced to the Arabian horse? When my daughter, Ashleigh, was just learning to ride jumpers at 8 years old, she had a very scary accident where she was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. When my wonderful friend, Derinda, told me about Arabians and how beautiful and elegant they were, and she said that they didn’t jump, that part had me sold, along with the fact that she said ‘horse moms’ sat around and drank Chardonnay in the afternoon sunshine while watching the kids take their lessons. We bought our first Arabians and, shortly thereafter added Sterlin Tribute and Express Yourself to our string, and the rest is history.

What makes the Arabian horse so special for you? So many things, but most of all, I would say that it is the incredible bond and relationship created between my daughter and I, coupled with the amazing friendships that I have gained.

The years spent sharing this passion with Ashleigh was the time of our lives and irreplaceable. We shared some of the greatest joys and the greatest disappointments together, side by side. The adults and kids were all an intricate part of each other’s journeys. This time was absolutely priceless, and the friendships gained immeasurable.

How did your friendship with Beth develop? I met Beth at a sweltering hot, 100-degree, Region 11 horse show, just after we had moved our horses to Chrishan Park. Shan Wilson pointed out two blondes on the other side of the ring (Beth and her sister Jennifer), both with large, funny scrunchie things on the top of their heads, and said that I was really going to like them. I remember thinking ‘what in the world are those things in their hair?’ not having ever seen such a thing in San Diego, CA. Well as fate goes, homemade hair scrunchies and all, I’m pretty sure

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we’ve been attached at the hip ever since. She became the best kind of friend imaginable and is like a true sister to me. I know I’m speaking for both of us when I say that we have been, and will always be, there for each other no matter what.

How would you describe Beth? I’d say that she is absolutely one of the kindest, most beautiful-hearted people imaginable. She’s always thinking of others, and if there is anyone that needs a compassionate ear or a shoulder to cry on, Beth is always first in line. She can always find the good in people and, if she is your friend, you have no doubt that she will always have your back.

She is genuine to the bone and the most unpretentious person I’ve ever known. She never ever doubts that my intentions are only good, which makes our friendship so very easy. My life would be so much less without her. And one more thing … she will be the one crying before the pin is even dropped.

Outside of horses, what do you enjoy doing together? Absolutely anything! We always laugh at how much money we’ve spent over the years traveling to the craziest little towns to show our horses.

One undeniable truth: it doesn’t seem to matter where we end up, whether it’s the small town of Sedalia, MO, or a beautiful island in the Caribbean, we have just as many laughs, just as many

chats, and just as many good times and adventures that we end up ref lecting upon for years. And depending on where we are, you won’t find either of us without our pups, Indie and Bertie.

What makes horses and horse shows so special to do together?

There is a phrase we started using a long time ago where we called the horse show experience ‘the bubble.’ I think that term is now widely used by almost everyone at the Arabian shows.

It basically means when we get to a show, all the other stresses, responsibilities and concerns of life seem to magically disappear.

When we leave, we say the ‘bubble pops,’ and surely it does.

Funny how that works, but it’s so true.

We all know horse shows have their highs and lows, ups and downs, wins and losses. For Beth and I, no matter which side of the spectrum we are on, we are always first in line to celebrate the other or to help pick the other up from the disappointment, be it with a huge hug, a joke which gets us both laughing, or an extra cold, extra dirty, extra olives martini. Or most likely, all of the above. There is never, and I mean never, any competition between us. If one of gets the gate, we’re both still praying as hard as we can for the other to win the roses.

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ARABIAN HORSE FRIENDSHIPS

What is one thing that most would find surprising about Beth?

She rescues every hurt animal she possibly can! Be it a tiny bird that she sets up an entire bird sanctuary for, or a baby calf that she literally lets live inside her house so that they can ‘bond better,’ she does it with all her might. She also spends her days at home driving around thousands of acres of cattle ranch on a Polaris (yes, it was an anniversary present) and, the best part is, she absolutely loves it!

Is there a trip together that stands above the rest? We have done so many trips together, but I would say China stands out because we went for two weeks, just the two of us, when Ashleigh was studying in Shanghai. We made our way around Shanghai and Beijing certainly, but I won’t say without a hitch. From Beth getting lost for hours one day, to the best dessert we’ve ever had which we still have vivid dreams about, to the purses we bought at the ‘top secret’ spot where only our new Chinese friend could take us, to the history we experienced, and the throngs of people daily who wanted to take photos with us (I think our face is plastered all over China now), we had the time of our lives and I don’t think either of us could laugh even one more second once we got home.

When together, how do you begin your day and end it?

We begin with laughter, coffee, more laughter and more coffee.

We end with laughter, cocktails, more laughter, wine and sleep (me first).

_______________________ “We have done so many trips together, but I would say China stands out because we went for two weeks, just the two of us ...”

How would you describe Beth’s sense of style? I would say that Beth has come a long way since the hair scrunchie days. She has an affinity for ‘all things sparkly,’ a great love of really cute shoes (which ultimately benefits me since we wear the same size), and throw in a sprinkling of animal print, and you’ve got Beth. Being from San Diego, CA and Beth from Purcell, OK, we often joke about how she struts around in her Lucky Jeans and Ariats, while I consider it an odd day if I even see a pair of Lucky Jeans or Ariats.

In five words or less, what does this friendship mean to you?

Everything. I am blessed beyond any words by her friendship.

~Christena

_______________________

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Beth Harrison Runyan …

How were you introduced to the Arabian horse? In 1971 our family moved to Plano, TX, from Richardson. My parents bought a small piece of land that backed up to an Arabian barn named Delaranbia Horse Farms. My sister, Jennifer, and I began taking riding lessons from Diane, and spent much of our time at their barn. My favorite horse was Que Bey, Nikki became my best friend, and Diane was an amazing instructor.

What makes the Arabian horse so special to you? I think that the moment I saw just how beautiful these majestic animals were, I fell in love. I remember our first Arabian, My Ben Indy, who we purchased through Francine Steiner Dismukes. My mother and father were just so supportive of this new adventure, going to open, as well as Class A shows. My first western outfit was red— nothing like seeing a beginner rider in red! Many years later, those times of showing Arabians and spending that quality time with my entire family is priceless!

How did your friendship with Christena develop? We met in Springfield, IL at Region 11 in 2000. Shan Wilson and I were showing my mare “Honey” at the show, and Jennifer and I had also brought a mare named Cynosure for Taylor and Lindsey to ride. As we were getting Cynosure ready to show, Shan walks up to introduce us to his new clients Christena and Ashleigh Ferran and their horse, Express Yourself. I do remember thinking to myself that they both looked fresh as a daisy and Jennifer and I were a HOT MESS; it was a funny initial introduction. Youth Nationals was in OKC only a few weeks later and that’s where we were able to really get to know each other. I would never have thought that I would meet one of my most cherished friends on that hot day in Illinois.

How would you describe Christena? She is a woman with a beautiful soul in an extra small body. She is loyal and loves to her core, someone who, day or night, rain or shine, good or bad, has your back and will be by your side in every situation. There are very few women like Christena Ferran Roell.

Outside of horses what do you enjoy doing together?

EVERYTHING! Our friendship has gone all over the world.

We have spent time together on the beaches in Jamaica, St. Kitts, Florida, Maine and La Jolla, and have also skied in Utah and Colorado. We have traveled to China together, and toured Shanghai and Beijing, and we even love riding around on my Ranger at the Bar R Ranch in Purcell, OK, looking at cattle with my dogs. It does not matter where we are, only that we are experiencing it together.

What makes horses and horse shows so special to do together?

The time spent at horse shows is exhausting, but I cannot imagine a better place to be. Christena and I call it the “horse show bubble,” and it is real. The friendships that I have made through the Arabian horse industry have been very unique, but to find those very few people that you can travel with, laugh with and certainly cry with, is even more unique. Through the years our lives have changed drastically; our kids have grown up and out, she has lost her father, I have lost my mother, we have each gotten married, but our friendship has only gotten stronger. We understand just how precious all those moments are, and we try to take advantage of all of them. We love and respect each other for who we were back then and what we have gone through together, all of the full belly laughs and, of course, the many tears. It has and continues to be a true gift.

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ARABIAN HORSE FRIENDSHIPS

What is one thing that most would find surprising about Christena? Honestly, it is her heart and compassion for her family and friends (including her furry ones). I know that there is no obstacle too big for my extra small friend.

Is there a trip together that stands above the rest? Most definitely, our trip to China for 14 days was unbelievable— every day was absolutely magical. In Beijing, the tour of the The Great Wall of China was truly an experience of a lifetime—it is something I will never forget—and I am so grateful that I could share that with Christena and feel the vastness of that place. On our very last day in Shanghai, we had lunch with Ashleigh and I decided I would give them a few hours of time alone. As I headed out into the streets of Shanghai alone with my many gift bags in hand, I searched for a taxi. Three wrong taxis later, lost on the streets of Shanghai, and I cannot reach Christena, so what is a girl to do? After a moment (or 3 or 4) of panic, I began looking at Shanghai’s incredible sky line, and who would have thought, I found my way home. Christena and I giggle about this often.

When together, how do you begin your day and end it? When Christena and I get together we laugh all the time. When we are at the horse shows we always stay together and usually we wake up laughing. It could be about a dream one of us had, or something that happened the day before or the fact that there is a tiny bit of light shining through some tiny, tiny hole and Christena was up all night trying to cover it up. We order coffee every morning (a must), get ready for the day, and then stop for another coffee and a morning bun that we share.

Usually at the end of the day after arriving back at the hotel, we have a glass of wine and open a bag of Gardettos, sit, talk, laugh and/or cry together until she finally falls asleep during one of my stories.

How would you describe Christena’s sense of style? Always better than mine and always on point. However, I always bring the more comfortable shoes, so when her feet get tired and achy, she breaks into “my style.”

In five words or less, what does this friendship mean to you?

Really, there are only two words … true sisterhood … and a best friend forever. ■

_______________________ “She is loyal and loves to her core, someone who, day or night, rain or shine, good or bad, has your back and will be by your side in every situation.” ~Beth

_______________________

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T

he 2nd Annual Carousel Arabian Gelding Spectacular was held on March 16, 2019, during the Carousel Charity Horse Show in Scottsdale, AZ. A total of $10,500 in prize money was awarded.

MB Sentinel, shown by Glenn Shearer, earned Gold Champion and was awarded $5,000. Silver Champion was awarded to Bodacious PA, shown by Tristen Wikel with earnings of $2,500. Dean Wikel and Believer PA was Bronze Champion and won $1,500.

The remaining Top Six: Maverick GN and Rodolfo Guzzo, Elix Sir and Sandy Vaseleou and Aaryx PMA and Sarah Esqueda, took home $500 each.

We thank our three wonderful judges; Greg Knowles, Leslie Connor and Andrew Sellman, and also thank Howard Schatzberg for his photography services.

Organized by Paul Glans, Kelley Charpentier and Pat McGinnis, plans for next year are to be bigger and better than the first two! We send a big “Thank You!” to our generous sponsors for this great class: Katie Russell, Sahara Scottsdale, Rae-Dawn Arabians, Cedar Ridge Arabians, Stella Bella Arabians, Rob Langolis, Doug Leadley, Christine Lawson, Kimmi Hamilton, Johnny Hagel and Dee Perez.

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Gold Champion MB Sentinel, shown by Glenn Shearer

Silver Champion Bodacious PA, shown by Tristen Wikel

Bronze Champion Believer PA, shown by Dean Wikel Ar abian Horse Times | 125 | Volume 49, No. 10

CALENDAR OF E VENTS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SHOWS

May 29-June 1, 2019, Region 9 Championships, Fort Worth, Texas. www.region9aha.org June 5-9, 2019, Region 8 Championships, Denver, Colorado. www.aharegion8.org June 11-16, 2019, Region 10 Championships, St. Paul, Minnesota. www.region10arabians.com June 18-22, 2019, Region 4 Championships, Nampa, Idaho. www.aharegioniv.com June 18-23, 2019, Region 2 Championships, Santa Barbara, California. www.ahareg2.org June 19-23, 2019, Region 13 Championships, Wilmington, Ohio. www.aharegion13.com June 25-27, 2019, Region 18 Championship, London, Ontario, Canada. www.region18.on.ca June 26-30, 2019, Region 14 Championships, Lexington, Kentucky. www.aha14.com June 27-29, 2019, Region 6 Championships, Douglas, Wyoming. www.region6aha.com July 3-7, 2019, Region 11 Championships, Springfield, Illinois. www.aha11.com July 4-7, 2019, Region 15 Championships, Lexington, Virginia. www.region15aha.com July 8-13, 2019, Region 3 Championships, Reno, Nevada. www.arabianhorses3.org July 9-13, 2019, Region 5 Championships, Monroe, Washington. www.regionv.com July 11-14, 2019, Region 16 Championships, Syracuse, New York. www.region16.org

May 23-26, 2019, Ohio Buckeye Sweepstakes, Columbus, Ohio. www.buckeyesweepstakes.com August 28-31 2019, Egyptian Event, Lexington, Kentucky. www.pyramidsociety.org September 12-14, 2019, NSH Finals, Springfield, Illinois. www.nshregistry.org September 25-28, 2019, Arabian National Breeder Finals, Scottsdale, Arizona. www.scottsdaleshow.com September 27-29, 2019, Minnesota Fall Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota. www.medallionstallion.com

NATIONALS EVENTS www.arabianhorses.org July 20-27, 2019, Youth Nationals, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

August 11-17, 2019, Canadian Nationals, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.

September 2-7, 2019, Sport Horse Nationals, Crete, Illinois.

October 18-26, 2019, U.S. Nationals, Tulsa, Oklahoma. *Go to www.arabianessence.com or www.ecaho.org for additional international shows and information.

Visit www.ahtimes.com for a calendar view of these dates and more.

Calendar listings are subject to change; please confirm dates and locale before making your plans or reservations. E-mail show dates to: charlened@ahtimes.com. *Due to the intrinsic nature of these shows, Arabian Horse Times cannot be held accountable for their validity.

Ar abian Horse Times | 126 | Volume 49, No. 10

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Ar abian Horse Times | 127 | Volume 49, No. 10

Index Of Advertisers A

M

AHT Subscriptions......................................................................................................................... 7 AKS Farms.......................................................................................................................20, 21, 105 Ames, Hadley................................................................................................92-93CRA (222-223) Ames, John & Sharon.................................................................................................91CRA (221) Appointments USA.....................................................................................................59CRA (189) Arabian English Performance Association .............................................................44English (94) Arabian Horse Association.........................................................................................69CRA (199) Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund........................................................................... 50CRA (180) Arabians International................................................................................................................. 159 Astoria, Ltd. Equestrian Center....................................................................................................14

Maroon Fire Arabians........................................................................................................... 49, 159

B Beloveds Farm......................................................................................................................... IFC, 1 Boggs Family, Bob & Janene..................................................................................... 74CRA (204)

C Carson, Ted & Brandi.................................................................................................65CRA (195) Cedar Ridge Arabians................................................FC, 36, 37, 52English (102), 103, IBC, BC Chur, Barbara.............................................................................................................. 78CRA (208) Colonial Downs Training Center.................................................................28-29English (78, 79) Conway Arabians...................................................................10-11English (60, 61), 63CRA (193) CRA Staff....................................................................................................................89CRA (219)

McNutt, Crystal..........................................................................................................57CRA (187) Midwest Station II......................................................................................... 44-47CRA (174-177)

Minnesota Breeders Horse Assoc...............................................................................52CRA (182)

Montello Family, Melissa........................................................................................... 85CRA (215) Moore, Tom, Liz & Emme............................................................................40-41CRA (170-171)

Morse, Janey....................................................................................................48-49CRA (178-179)

Morton, Janice & Laura............................................................................................. 76CRA (206)

Munro, Kimberley.....................................................................................................35English (85)

P Pate, Simon, Jane, Emily & Lauren........................................................................... 61CRA (191) Perfect Products.........................................................................................................43English (93)

Price, Dr. Ken & Gretchen........................................................................................ 73CRA (203) Price, Kevin & Gretchen............................................................................................ 73CRA (203)

Q Quarry Hill Farm......................................................................................................24English (74)

R R.O. Lervick Arabians....................................................................................... 159, 54CRA (184)

D Delsan Arabians....................................................................26-27English (76, 77), 81CRA (211) DePaolo Equine Concepts.......................................................................................................... 2, 3 Dolby, Toni & Michael ............................................................................................. 77CRA (207) Dow Arabians.............................................................................................................................. 113 Dreamco Arabians....................................................................................................................... 159

E Elizabeth Seward, LLC................................................................................................................ 24 Equine Athlete Veterinary Services................................................21English (71), 58CRA (188)

F Frierson Atkinson........................................................................................................................ 159

G

Redmond, Tom........................................................................................................... 82CRA (212) Reilich, Bill & Shirley...................................................................................14-15English (64, 65)

Rooker Training Stable.................................................................................34-35English (84, 85)

Royal Arabians................................................................................................................................. 5

S Schimmel Family, Irwin..............................................................................................71CRA (201)

Select Show Horses...................................................................................................42English (92)

Sellman, Andy............................................................................................................ 60CRA (190) Shada, Inc.................................................................................................................... 75CRA (205)

Shaffer, Laura & Nora...............................................................................................34English (84)

Gibson, Ted................................................................................................................. 70CRA (200) Glans, Paul & Sabrina................................................................................................ 84CRA (214) Glomski, Todd, Jen & Annie..................................................................................... 85CRA (215) Golladay, John & Leah Beth........................................................................ 66-67CRA (196-197) Gordon, Bob & Val.....................................................................................................87CRA (217)

Shamrock Farms............................................................................................................................ 30

H

Signature Oaks Stables.................................................................................................................. 40

HA Toskcan Sun LLC..............................................................................................22English (72) Hamilton, Eleanor...................................................................................................... 80CRA (210) Harris Arabians.........................................................................................................22English (72) Hart, Kathie & Audrey............................................................................................... 51CRA (181) Harvey, Katie........................................................................................................................83 (213) Hegg, Mrs. Mickey..................................................................................................................... 159 Hennessey Arabians.................................................................................................................... 159 Holly Hill Farm.............................................................................................28-29English (78, 79) Humphrey, Vicki & Jessica........................................................................................ 72CRA (202)

Shea Stables...................................................................................................49, 159, 90CRA (220)

Sherman Ranch..............................................................................................32-33English (82, 83)

Shino Training Center......................................................................................... 16, 88CRA (218)

Show Season Custom Riding Apparel.....................................................................46English (96)

Smoky Mountain Park Arabians................................................................................................ 104 Southern California Equestrian Center....................................................................... 50, 1SS (51)

Southern Oaks Farm..................................................................................... 18-19English (68, 69) Stachowski Farm, Inc........22English (72), 26-27English (76, 77), 40English (90), 79CRA (209)

Strand Family, Jody & Janice......................................................................................62CRA (192)

T Tamar Arabians Ltd...................................................................................................................... 34

J

The Hat Lady.............................................................................................................................. 159

Jarvis, Kim....................................................................................................................56CRA (186) Jerome, Larry & Shelley.................................................................................42-43CRA (172-173)

V

K Kiesner Training..............................................................49, 14-19English (64-69), 68CRA (198) Kirby Arabians LLC.................................................................................................40English (90)

L Lembke, Roberta & Dean...........................................................................................53CRA (183) Liberty Meadows Training Center............................................................................................... 22 Long Meadow Arabians................................................................................................................ 26 Luxe Arabians................................................................................................................................ 28

Tobeck Performance Horses......................................................................................................... 32 Van Handel Family, Mike & Indira...........................................................................55CRA (185) Vecsey, Russ & Cathy..................................................................................................86CRA (216) Voss, William & Janell..............................................................................................42English (92)

W Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc.................................................................................................. 159

Wiloma Plantation.............................................................................................38English (88), 112 Wilson, Chris...............................................................................................................64CRA (194)

Ar abian Horse Times | 128 | Volume 49, No. 10

Keepers of the Arabian Horse...

Ar abian Horse Times | 2 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

Cedar Ridge Arabians ‌ 50 Years Of Building The Future Story by Christy Egan | Design by Jaime Johnson

Writers and historians poetically describe a community, a nation or occasionally even a single, great life as being an elegant tapestry, threads of timeline and lives woven together. Lives, one after another, intertwined to make a great and colorful picture. It is this analogy which personifies the Ames family of Cedar Ridge Arabians (CRA), keepers of the Arabian horse.

A family with a long history of horse breeding that began well before the 20th century with high quality Percheron Draft horses, the Ames’ were heavily influenced by the times, thoughts and ideals of five decades through which they lived and thrived. Their Arabian breeding program was most certainly originally inspired by the Percheron farm horses that Dick Ames worked with and loved as a boy. For the rest of his life, he was particularly fond of dappled grey Percherons. How ironic that their grey color originally came about as an influence (among other attributes) of two Arabian stallions imported into France almost two hundred years ago. The Ames farm in Minnesota, and the Ames family (with eight children) in which Dick was the oldest, all fit in with the times, the area and the farming community. Between 1913 and the 1940s, Arabian horses developed something of a foothold in the Midwest, with much credit going first to Norman Harris in Chicago and Wisconsin, and then to Daniel C. Gainey in Minnesota. By the time the Ames family was established in the construction business in the 1960s, the Arabian horse was also established in the Midwest.

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In The Beginning ...

Sometime in the late 1960s, Dick, who had always enjoyed the “cowboy” idea, bought a HalfArabian Palomino gelding named Sheracca which he promptly put into training with Bob Powers. Showing Sheracca in western in local Class A competition was the beginning of what would eventually become Cedar Ridge Farm and later, Cedar Ridge Arabians. Dick’s eventual selling of Sheracca to his brother John, began another lifetime tradition … one of involving friends and family in Arabian horses.

“Our families have shown horses together now for 48 years and continue to do so,” says John Ames. “The shows have taken us all over North America, making many horse enthusiasts spanning several generations. We’re there for all of our family and friends, ready to share a drink in celebration, or to give pep talks when things don’t go as planned!”

“People don’t realize it,” Lara Ames says, “but in the beginning, the entire family worked on the farm. Dad (Dick) worked hard and Mom (Lollie) and my older siblings did almost everything with the help of two farm hands. Every day before school, everybody trooped down to the barn and pitched in to clean stalls and feed horses. When they got home from school, it was barn chores again.” Lara’s brothers Al, Dave and Rich, worked with the horses until they graduated high school. Dave and Rich showed horses in their teens. Later, Dave did some driving and his son, Ryan, showed too, eventually earning national championships in halter and in performance. Now Ryan’s daughter, Evelyn, is working and showing. Lara’s sister Toni also helped on the farm and showed some horses as a youngster. Lollie worked alongside

Left, clockwise: Dick with his parents & brother at the Scottsdale Show; Toni; Lollie; and Rich, Dave and Al working in the barn

everyone in the barn, assisted with the breeding and handled the young stock personally. “It was all a little before my time, honestly,” admits Lara. “When I arrived, I was lucky; we had more help! It means a great deal to Mom and me to have our family around us sharing the horses.

All have come to Scottsdale in the last few years to see the horses and the show. Dad’s great granddaughter, Hadley, is very active and attends several shows annually. Family is so important and getting together to share the horses means so much. Many were at Scottdale and the U.S. Nationals last year. In fact, Dad showed Hadley’s horse, Goblet of Fire CCF, to a National Championship. It was a special moment and none of us could have known it would be his final victory pass.”

Dick and Lollie began their breeding program in the 70s, the heyday of Arabian horse breeding, showing and popularity in the United States, and attended their first national and Scottsdale shows in those early years. It was 1970, when they bought their first Arabian breeding stallion, Feramigo++/ (Taga++ x Lazona). The handsome, Gainey-bred grey was an iconic example of the Arabian show horse of the late 60s and the upper Midwest in that era. Sired by a G-Amigo son and out of a Ferzon daughter with a Garaff and Image tail-female line, he was a classic Arabian horse that won consistently in English pleasure and native costume. He also sired 60+ offspring between 1973 and 1993. A chestnut

The Ames’ first breeding stallion, Feramigo++/ (Taga++ x Lazona)

gelding from Feramigo’s first foal crop in 1973, Ames Pride+ (x Rabatah, by Rafgar), brought home the first national award for an Ames-bred Arabian in 1982, winning a Canadian National Top Ten in Western Pleasure AOTR 17 & Under.

“I was training Arabians and Saddlebreds at Malkerson Stables about 45 years ago when I first met Dick Ames,” says Dick Kiesner, father of respected Arabian horse trainer, Joel Kiesner. “I guess Joel would have been nine or ten at the time. The Ames’ farm was right down the road from Malkerson’s and I judged a horse show at the Fairgrounds in Jordan, Minnesota one day. Dick was showing a nice stallion he had in halter … Feramigo. I pinned him first and that’s how we met! Dick personally took some riding lessons at Malkerson’s, as did John Rannenberg, Josh Quintus and a host of other familiar Arabian folk. We worked for the Ames family and trained some good horses. One time, Dick asked us to entertain at a picnic he was having,” Kiesner shares. “My son, Philip and I did some trick riding for the party. Dick loved it and one day shortly after that, showed up at our house and entertained my wife Ruth and I with an old film clip of him trick riding on a horse as a kid. He was a man of many, many talents and lots of surprises!”

“Our family has always been part of the farm, but it goes beyond our relatives.

We’ve had amazing trainers, staff and friends over the years; they are all part of the ‘CRA Family’ ... and we treasure those relationships.” ~ Lara Ames

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A Decade of Growth

The 1980s were an important era of growth for the Ames family. Lollie had moved into managing the burgeoning Cedar Ridge Arabian breeding program and, while Dick was interested primarily in performance horses at the shows, she was also nurturing a growing passion … for Arabian halter horses. Like most Arabian breeders of this period, the Ames’ believed in a well-rounded, versatile Arabian horse that could be shown successfully in halter and performance; open and amateur. In 1981, Feramigo was joined in the breeding barn by the bay, U.S. National Top Ten Halter Stallion, *Hal Gazal (Eleuzis x *Bufa, by Negatiw). This was not a *Raseyn or *Raffles-style Arabian at all. This was a great representative of the Polish Arabian invasion of America, begun in the early 60s by great importations like the LaCroix family’s extraordinary *Bask++.

The *Hal Gazal Syndicate found a home at Cedar Ridge and *Hal Gazal himself was the sire of the second Ames-bred horse to claim a national credential, Hal Enchantress+/ (x Raffanee, by Amir Faronek). Close on the heels of *Hal Gazal’s arrival were new CRA staff, like trainer Ted Gibson, who showed *Hal Gazal to his national wins later in the 70s.

“I arrived at Cedar Ridge in the 80s and things were really ready to happen there,” says Ted. “I feel very good about the things I helped Cedar Ridge and the Ames family accomplish during my time in Minnesota. We got the *Hal Gazal Syndicate rolling and worked hard to cull and refine the Cedar Ridge herd. Both Taask (*Bask++ x Tsannar, by Tsatyr) and his full brother, Brass, arrived in 1985 and a whole new generation of CRA show horses began to be imagined and come into being.” Also, in the mid-80s, Ted started working on Royal Taga, a full brother to Feramigo, as a first-time driving horse for Dick. Harness had always been a forte for Ted so this was something he particularly wanted to orchestrate for Dick. “Dick was already able to drive some of the Percheron hitches but driving a single Arabian horse in harness is quite a bit different,” laughs Ted. “I tried explaining that the Percherons were like driving a piece of heavy equipment, like a Mack truck, and Arabians—compared to the draft horses—are like driving a Ferrari. There’s a definite difference in finesse.

I would tell him ‘Dick, set the horse up; don’t pick at him and don’t smack him on the butt!’ Sometimes Dick listened. Sometimes.” The training eventually worked, and much to Ted’s satisfaction, in 1988, Dick and Royal Taga took home U.S. National Champion Pleasure Driving AOTD, and a reserve the same year at Canadian Nationals. Also having started Brass in harness, Ted remembers, “In the breeding barn we discovered that Brass looked to be a good cross for Saddlebred mares, so we started accumulating some of those as well. I learned a great deal from Dick Ames. We had a lot of fun at Cedar Ridge and I give him enormous credit for everything that went well at that farm.”

Top to bottom: U.S. National Top Ten Halter Stallion, *Hal Gazal (Eleuzis x *Bufa, by Negatiw); CRA Trainer Ted Gibson pictured with 1984 U.S. Reserve National Champion Futurity Filly PS Endeavor; Dick and Royal Taga, 1988 U.S. National Champion Pleasure Driving AOTD

Ted and Dick working together, hired Bob Gordon in 1989, who remained with CRA for almost seven years. “The Ames family gave us an incredible place to work and grow at Cedar Ridge,” says Bob, a fond memory being when they took Brass to Scottsdale, where he rode him in English, and both he and Dick showed

Often Dick’s travel and “shopping” companions: Bob Gordon (top) with Skywitch, John Powers with Ames Ragtime (left) and Tom Moore with GV Bey Phantom (above)

the horse in harness at WestWorld. “I got to work with Tom Moore, Ted Gibson and John Powers. The team is what you remember; it was the epitome of a great team. The environment that the Ames family and that great group of professionals created, is what we still strive for in what we do with our customers and staff now, over 20 years later. Sometimes Tom, Dick and I would go ‘shopping’ on Dick’s plane,” Bob shakes his head smiling. “The three of us would go to the East Coast, to Rohara, to Springwater and Joel Kiesner’s. We would buy four or five horses maybe. It was great. Oh … and the parties they had at Cedar Ridge, for the Super Bowl or for Halloween or Christmas! It was just an amazing time.” Today, Bob is still training horses and has judged Arabian horse shows worldwide.

In 1989, 18-year-old Ted Carson arrived to work with the Cedar Ridge halter horses, after working for Jay Allen and Josh Quintus. “I was there for about seven years,” shares Ted. “I showed in halter for the Ames family, but I also rode 2- coming 3-year-olds, about 10 of them, and got them started. That was one of the influences I took away from my experience at Cedar Ridge. I have always ridden my horses, not simply handled and haltered them. We had a number of Brass offspring in those first days and they were very good horses. Brass had that beautiful *Bask eye-set and eye-socket and a great arch and set to his neck. They were talented and pretty.” And like Ted, were good at both halter and performance. In 1995, several made their national debuts, including the dynamic SG Brass Prince (x Rose of USA, by *Hal Gazal), 8-time National Champion and Reserve in Halter, open and amateur, and the exceptional Ames Symbolic (x Deserey, by Saud Ibn

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Sire of Significance, Brass

Ted Carson with SG Brass Prince (above) and Ames Lucky Affair (top right); Ames Symbolic (right), 3-time National Champion and Reserve Amateur English Pleasure and Halter, with Lara Ames

Azefa), 3-time National Champion and Reserve in English Pleasure and Halter, amateur. “Many Brass get, including Ames Lucky Affair (x Lady Gambler), 2-time National Champion Half-Arabian Saddle/Pleasure Mare, were great horses to work with at CRA,” says Ted. He takes care to mention the life lessons he took away from his time at Cedar Ridge. “I started working for the Ames just before I graduated from high school,” Ted recalls. “Dick gave us a gas allowance based on expense slips and mileage I had to turn in to him. It was a 50-minute drive for me each way and he understood the effort and expense. He was like “a coach” kind of a guy. He loved people enough to put in the time to help and to understand. I remember him telling me about taking good care of his truck and trailer. He said, ‘If I can’t sell the horse, then I want to be able to sell the equipment!’ It was an excellent time for Cedar Ridge Arabians. There were good horses, auctions, and drive from the team. And it was an exceptional time for me in my life. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!”

At The End Of The Century

Another Arabian halter trainer who began working for the Ames family at a tender age was Andy Sellman. He showed his first horse for them at the age of 13 at the Minnesota Fall Fest in 1992. The horse, Ames Musguy (Musguy x Ariston Fera) took Champion Yearling Auction Colt honors. “My first U.S. National Top Ten was in 1998 with a Cedar Ridge horse, Berri Queena V (Huckleberry Bey x Balquena),” says Andy. “I learned so much from my time there. The Ames family helped me establish my values, both personally and professionally. They made a huge impact on my life. I have great memories of my time there and I love them like they are my own family. I still talk to Lara at least once a week. What is really important to them is family and their staff … it’s the people! In mid-December of last year, Dick and I met at WestWorld to discuss a “dirt” project for the upcoming Marquise Auction. I had no idea that it would be mere weeks before his passing. His entire life, anything Dick could do to contribute to the Arabian horse industry, he did it. All are so much better for having had them in our lives.”

In January of 1998, Chris Wilson arrived at Cedar Ridge fresh from hard won success in the Arabian show ring. “I had some notoriety at that point but coming to work for the Ames family was still a step up the ladder for me. Matoi (Zodiac Matador+ x Toi Ellenai, by Toi Soldier) was a famous, winning Park horse already when I started riding him. It should have been a lot of pressure for me, but it wasn’t. I had a super team at CRA behind me and I had a great time with him. I was young and strong; Matoi had already made his name. I just got on him and rode. He had this crazy, great ‘gear.’ He would drop his butt, raise his front and just take off. I would tuck his head a bit, stay out of his way and he would push off and go. And, did he love to work! What a great time we had.

“But the greatest moment was when we brought the flag into the arena at Nationals just weeks after 9/11. People stood and cheered and cried. Emotion filled the building. There will never be another moment like that.” Chris learned about business and hard work at Cedar Ridge, and made lifelong friendships. “I became great friends with Lara,” he muses. “I coached her with Toi Jabaska, All Fired Up, Bey Impresario and Matoi. I also coached Dick to several national championships in driving.

I will be forever grateful for my time at Cedar Ridge. It was a golden opportunity for any young trainer to work there when trying to make it in this industry.”

“I learned so much from my time there. The Ames family helped me establish my values, both personally and professionally. They made a huge impact on my life.� ~Andrew Sellman

Top to bottom: Andrew Sellman with his first U.S. National Top Ten Mare, Berri Queena V, and in his 20s with Ames Mirage; Chris Wilson with Matoi, MHR Marteen, Bey Impresario & JM Bodacious Bey; and Lara with Toi Jabaska

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“But the greatest moment was when we brought the flag into the arena at Nationals just weeks after 9/11. People stood and cheered and cried. Emotion filled the building. There will never be another moment like that.� ~ Chris Wilson with Matoi

BRASS The 1979 bay stallion Brass (*Bask x Tsanar, by Tsatyr), became an outstanding breeding sire for the Ames family with almost 50 national winners bred by Cedar Ridge Arabians to his credit.

Among his top national winners are: Ames Symbolic (x Deserey, by Saud Ibn Azefa), 3-time national champion and reserve; SG Brass Prince (x Rose Of USA, by *Hal Gazal), 8-time national champion and reserve; Ames Cassanova (x Silver And Sable, by The Chief Justice), 3-time national champion and reserve; Brass Star (x CB Shining Star, by Providence), 9-time national champion and reserve; Ames Queen (x Harlem Queen), 6-time national champion and reserve; CR Brass Chief (x Chieftress), 4-time national champion and reserve; Brass Glamor Shot (x Glamorize), 8-time national champion and reserve; and many, many more.

Equally impressive as a producer of both purebred and Half-Arabian champions, Brass sired over 300 registered offspring.

In 1996, Lollie sold a lovely young mare sired by Brass (x EE Msindependence, by MHR Nobility) to Marty Shea. It was to become one of those moments that haunt owners and breeders of when to sell or not to sell. Within a few years, Brassmis became a foundation of the Shea Stables breeding program. The superb granddaughter of *Bask and MHR Nobility produced eight national winners by Afire Bey V and IXL Noble Express, among them the national champion and/or reserve Afire Storm, Afires Heir, Fire and Brass, Noblemis, Too Brassi and Coltrane SS. Of her 16-total offspring to date, six have become national winning producers as well.

“I would do almost anything to have a stallion like Brass again,” Lollie says wistfully. “He produced beautifully. A great sire of broodmares too. When it was time for him to breed, we’d put the polo wraps on him and he knew just where he was going. We would walk down to the breeding shed, he’d get his work done, and pick up his peppermint candy on the way back to his stall. He was such a great horse and a perfect gentleman.”

A NOBLE CAUSE In 2006 Cedar Ridge acquired A Noble Cause (IXL Noble Express+ x Sweet Summer Fire, by Afire Bey V), a 2003 chestnut stallion.

A consummate show horse, A Noble Cause was 11-time national champion or reserve in English pleasure and pleasure driving, open and amateur. A stallion with a modest number of registered foals, A Noble Cause has excellent percentages of get that have national show records … 25% to date. The sire of 18 national winners, his offspring have accumulated 38 national championships and reserves and an exceptional 127 national top ten awards.

MATOI Perhaps no stallion has had as large an impact on Cedar Ridge Arabians as Matoi (Zodiac Matador+ x Toi Ellenai, by Toi Soldier), a 1986 bay stallion. His show record includes eight national championships and reserves in park, open and amateur and in formal driving. The sire of 284 purebred and Half-Arabian registered offspring, Matoi brought not only show ring notoriety and multiple champion show horses to Cedar Ridge, but a certain box office charisma unequalled by any of his in-barn contemporaries. It was an extremely astute purchase on the part of the Ames family, a purchase that almost never happened. “My mom and dad were out of the country when Julie Wrigley told me she wanted to sell Matoi,” Lara confides. “I took a few days to think about it and then I made her a rather low offer I thought she would refuse. “Well needless to say, Julie took the offer. I had never spoken with my mom and dad about the situation and immediately panicked. I tried to get ahold of them and could not reach them. I called their financial advisor and told him. ‘You did what?’ he said. My mom called a few days later and I told her it was very important that I speak to dad.

What a relief, my parents were both as excited as I was, and the rest is history! That same year, Chris Wilson rode Matoi to National Champion in Park and the following year I showed him and won at Scottsdale, Canada and the U.S. In October, Matoi and Chris presented the flag at Nationals, which just may be my favorite horse moment of all time.”

Some of Matoi’s best known get bred by CRA include Toi Riston+/ (x Ariston Fera, by Ariston), 3-time national and reserve national champion; Ames Captivator+ (x MC Jakita, by GG Jabask), 6-time national and reserve national champion; Ames Celebration (x Ames Mirage, by Brass), 7-time national champion and reserve; KW Hero+/ (x Berry Elegance, by Bayberrychask V), 7-time national champion and reserve; Toi Store CRF+// (x Fantasy Watch), 5-time national champion and reserve; Toi Supreme CRF (x Alpha Phi), 6-time national champion and reserve; Toi Slamtastic CRF (x Fantasy Watch), 16-time national champion and reserve; and Toi Sensation CRF (x Alpha Phi), 9-time national champion and reserve.

Among Matoi’s numerous nationally famous offspring, is one of the all-time greatest Arabian show and broodmares, Toi Jabaska+// (x MC Jabaskolee, by GG Jabask+/). A 10-time national champion in English and pleasure driving, open and amateur, as well as park amateur, Toi Jabaska is the dam of 11 national winners and three national producers, among them six national champions and/or reserves.

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Brass

A Noble Cause

Matoi

THE FOUNDATION FOR GREATNESS

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Top to bottom, l-r: Kevin Price with National Champion Toi Jabaska; and establishing the lesson program at Cedar Ridge; Lara, Tom Moore, Kevin Price, Lollie & Dick, and Keith Krichke with CRA’s 2006 Canadian National Winners; Kevin Price, Brass Star, John Stromer and John McCarty; Ames Lora and John McCarty

The Millennium

Arriving at the farm right after Chris, trainer Kevin Price, agrees. He also worked with Matoi, Brass and Toi Jabaska, as well as SG Brass Star, Brass Glamor Shot, Toi Supreme and Toi Slamtastic. “I was the one who took Toi Jabaska out in harness,” Kevin smiles. “It was a way for me to do something different with her. In 2003, at 6 years old, she needed a bit of time to get ready for open English pleasure; a way to get stronger. Driving was a good solution. She took right to it and was a magnificent harness horse—so feminine, and with great elegance. I was in open competition against Brian Murch and A Temptation and those were incredible classes.” With Cedar Ridge during the inception of the CRA Scottsdale Sales, Kevin was also involved when Baske Afire sold during one of those sales. “It wasn’t all lights and excitement,” Kevin remembers. “There were business issues, tough times and difficulties there, too. Dick taught me about making the best of things when they go wrong and about moving on. ‘That’s the only way to survive,’ he would say. ‘Be positive and move forward!’ And that’s just what we did.”

Assistant trainer to both Chris Wilson and Kevin Price between 2002 and 2006 was John McCarty.

For John, it was an opportunity to work with some great horses and to start some good ones in long lines and under saddle. “I had been working with Stan Morey, Gene LaCroix, and Gordon Potts,” John says, “and I was learning a great deal, but I wasn’t really making much money. When the opportunity came to work at Cedar Ridge and Dick offered me a living wage, I decided to go with them.” Like most everyone working for CRA, John remembers Dick vividly. “Dick was an iconic man with an extraordinary personality. He was always around. I saw him every day and he was always positive with a way of balancing everything. Cedar Ridge at the time was a superior facility with superior horses. It was a place that could help you refine your abilities and figure out what you wanted to do next. There were times and solutions I don’t forget. I remember having a tough time with Brass Star; he was behind the bridle. I finally solved the problem by putting a heavily wrapped bit in his mouth. I also got my CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) at Cedar Ridge and learned a great deal about trucks, horse trailers and semi’s. Today I have a successful horse hauling business as well as training.”

Top to bottom, l-r: National Champion Starr Llight and the Cedar Ridge Family; Hadley Ames and Leah Beth with Rohara Americanlegend; Brass Star & Starr Llight with John and Leah Beth; and John and son, JB, at CRA John and Leah Beth Golladay moved to Cedar Ridge in November of 2010 and stayed until 2017. They built up a youth and amateur program that had been up and down for 30 years at CRA, and made it not only the best it had ever been, but one of the best overall in the Arabian industry. Leah hired both Stephanie Davisson, who ran the program, and Laura Rodel, who took over training duties at CRA, and are still there. “We have so many wonderful memories from Cedar Ridge,” Leah says. “It was a great time and a great team. We got Hadley Ames started and she earned Youth National Champion English Pleasure JTR and JOTR the last year we were there! Dick was always there, every day, and always making sure everybody was happy and working in a good environment. He was very clear that he expected us to work hard, and we would always have great horses and the best equipment.”

“The Ames perspective was great,” John adds. “You always felt like you were part of the family. Our kids were born while we were there. Even when things were not perfect and mistakes were made, Dick was very clear, ‘fix the problem, not the blame.’ He lived every day to the fullest and was a great example for us. You always knew you were capable of getting things accomplished and you always felt like you could do it better each time. It’s what happens when people believe in you.”

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The most recent link in this long, multi-colored 50-year thread of trainers and staff at Cedar Ridge Arabians is Laura Rodel; and yes, her job at CRA is her first, big job on a horse farm. A 4-H alumni, Laura had her first Arabian horse before she was a teenager and was an assistant to the Golladays for several years before taking over as trainer at CRA. Now she is on her own and took the Cedar Ridge show strings on the road in 2017 and 2018. “Yes, yes, it’s a dream come true for me,” she laughs. “I have coaching from people like Gene LaCroix and Josh Shino; I work in a spectacular facility with world class horses, and I have endless opportunities.” Laura notes that there are a number of top 3-year-olds in training right now and she had a great time in 2018 showing the 5-year-old, Ames Imperator (Afires Heir x Aria Endless Summer, by IXL Noble Express).

The pair took home 2018 Canadian National Reserve Champion Country English Pleasure Jr. Horse honors and Reserve in the same class at Scottsdale in 2019. Laura currently has 42 horses in training for English, country and driving. Tom Moore has been working with the driving horses and coaching Laura in harness work. “I love working with the amateur and youth riders in particular,” Laura says. Stephanie Davisson handles the CRA lesson program and Erin Belton assists with training the horses.

Top to bottom, l-r: Laura Rodel and Ames Imperator; Stephanie Davisson with son, Jace Hanson; Laura Rodel, Kendell Rickert, Josh Shino, Emily Pate and Stephanie Davisson at Youth Nationals; and assistant trainer, Erin Belton

Staying The Course

Some people came to Cedar Ridge Arabians and never really left. Shawn Dahl arrived during the 80s, starting out as a groom for Dick’s personal horses. “I was a groom for him at home and at the shows,” says Shawn. “I took care of a horse named Mecca Hal-Gay (*Hal Gazal x Gay-Fara). I remember that horse was a challenge to drive and Dick drove him through the clothes lines now and then, and sometimes through the garage. It was a war, but that was Dick. If one of his horses had a great cruise control and another one was difficult and exciting, he wanted the tough one.”

Shawn was just a kid when he started at Cedar Ridge Arabians, one that couldn’t wait to get to the next horse show and see his friends. He has now been with Cedar Ridge and Ames Construction for well over 30 years. “I started as a boy and I learned a lot about work and discipline from the Ames’. Dick would get mad at me, but he never held a grudge. Yeah, he chewed me out, but I usually had it coming and every time it happened it taught me something. He used to say, ‘Never ask anybody to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself.’ Tom Moore and I are still the best of friends from those days. Dick, Tom and I, had a special relationship. We would take trips to the Florida Keys together, or go to football or basketball games, or on fishing trips. I think that Dick was probably the oldest living University of Minnesota booster when he died!”

Trainer Tom Moore and the Cedar Ridge Arabian’s breeding manager Mike Brennan are also Cedar Ridge alumni that came to dinner and never left. Tom began his time in 1990, and although he officially left as a trainer in 1995, he has been (and still is) an ongoing influence at Cedar Ridge as a trainer, a coach, and mentor/advisor. “When I got to Cedar Ridge Arabians, Lara was showing a good grey gelding named Fire Watch+// (Tu Fire x Amalisa, by *Elimar), a 5-time National Champion and Reserve English pleasure horse for the Ames”, says Tom. “Then we bought GV Bey Phantom+// (Huckleberry Bey++ x PHP Micha Rappora, by Rappor Tee) as a 3-year-old, and he won six national championship and reserve titles in the next three years. We had some great horses and great years of success. I remember the last year I was training for them … 1995; we won a total of 95 national championships, reserves and top ten awards. I started coaching Lara when she was only 16 or 17, and I’ve been helping her ever since. I love the Ames family and their horses. I still personally keep horses at Cedar Ridge for training and breeding.

I also consult with the family annually on breeding matches; go through the herd with them and make training recommendations. I often work with the CRA trainers, coach them and help them as well. There have been three great influences in my life: my father, Gene LaCroix and Dick Ames. The Ames family is very important to me and I expect to be very involved with Cedar Ridge Arabians in its next transitions.”

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“There have been three great influences in my life: my father, Gene LaCroix and Dick Ames.

The Ames family is very important to me and I expect to be very involved with Cedar Ridge Arabians in its next transitions.” ~Tom Moore

Dick, Tom Moore, and Gene LaCroix (above), and longtime breeding manager, Mike Brennan (top right) and with Ames Mirage (right)

This past January, Mike Brennan, Cedar Ridge’s breeding manager, started his 18th year at the farm. “I’m an Ames nephew,” admits Mike. “I had horses of my own before I came to work here. Though I was operating a sheet metal company, I was moonlighting as a horse breeding service; handling stallions, collecting and shipping semen. One day I worked here at Cedar Ridge and that was it. I handle 40 to 50 mares and approximately 25 foal births annually; that’s including OPH [other people’s horses]. I don’t miss the sheet metal business; horses are so much easier to understand. I’m 65 now and healthy and happy here. I’ve been around for so long that I could actually correct Dick’s stories because I’m a bonafide part of the family and I was actually there. And, oh, that infuriated him! Ha! Years ago, when I started handling the breeding at the farm, I became very aware of the effects of stress on the bloodstock. I remember when Marliera (*Gondolier x Mark IV Evergreen, by *Bask) was competing in reining and realized how stressed she was from the showing and hauling. We made the decision to retire her and just breed and she became a different horse.” A U.S. National Reining Futurity Champion and multi-top Ten in open, Marliera is the dam of four national winners and three national champions. “I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed handling the stallions Brass, Matoi and TA Mozart,” Mike adds, “though I have to admit that Brass was my best buddy. I used to take him out for walks when the work was done and he really loved that. We’d enjoy the grass and check out the mares together. I really do love my job.”

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Mike Brennan with Brass on one of their favorite afternoon walks

Above, clockwise: David Boggs and Gai Fawn; and *Perfinka, 2019 Las Vegas World Cup Gold Supreme Champion Senior Mare

Here For Tomorrow

The Ames family bought their beautiful Gai Parada daughter, Gai Fawn (x Gai-Gay-Ferzona, by Ferzon) in the summer of 1973 from Minnesota’s legendary Arabian horse breeder, Daniel C. Gainey. In 1979, the Ames asked a very young Minnesota neighbor named David Boggs to show their good mare at the U.S. National Championships in Albuquerque. “That’s right,” David says.

“Gai Fawn was my very first U.S. National Top Ten Halter Mare.” She went on to the Canadian Nationals in 1980 and was pinned top ten halter mare there as well. Exactly 40 years (and countless national winners) later, David will show the Ames’ beautiful, recently imported Polish mare and Esparto daughter, *Perfinka (x Perfirka, by Gazal Al Shaqab) at the 2019 U.S. National Championships in Mare Halter. On lease from her breeders, Bialka State Stud Farm, *Perfinka was the Las Vegas World Cup Gold Supreme Champion Senior Mare in April, Gold Champion Senior Mare at the Radom Show, and Bronze Champion Senior Mare at the 2017 Pride of Poland Show.

“The bar has continued to rise in Arabian horse competition,” David says. “And, though I’ve led over a dozen U.S. National Champion mares, *Perfinka might be the best I’ve ever shown. She was the crowd favorite, the judges’ favorite and the trainers’ favorite at Las Vegas. Such a personality, this mare loves every day; her tail never goes down.” Says Lollie, “I’m really not used to bragging about horses,” but *Perfinka is so feminine and quiet, until you tap the lead line and she shows to beat the band! She loves people and is much friendlier than her dam,” whom CRA owns. “Dick really wanted that mare,” says David. “He pushed all of us to keep going with the lease. There were some huge stumbling blocks trying to get her here. Six or eight months would go by without any word, but he never gave up and he was right.”

“How important have the Ames family been to this breed?” says David Boggs. “Really, at the high level of what Dick and his family have done for this industry, there is, honestly, only one other person, Tom Chauncey. Dick underwrote the Youth Nationals for years, the Scottsdale Reining Futurity, the *Bask sculpture by Bogucki that’s in the Horse Park in Lexington, the Minnesota Breeders and the Medallion Stallion program the AEPA Futurity; and it just goes on and on. The Ames family gave openly and anonymously, freely and generously. Dick was truly one-of-a-kind. We were incredibly fortunate to have him as a benefactor in the breed.”

*Perfinka

Jody Strand with CRA’s 2018 U.S. Reserve National Champion AWPA Equine Athlete $50,000 H/A Western Pleasure Futurity Horse, Jay Z (left), and forever friends at the Bask Party: Mike Villasenor, Lara, Jo West, Erin & Gene LaCroix, Dick and Walter Mishek

“I miss Dick,” says trainer Jody Strand. “I was just a kid when my dad was showing G-Amigo. The Ames’ were always at the shows and have been, for my whole life. Dick and I always talked at the shows; I used to give him grief. I loved to get him all fired up and he returned the favor, believe me. At the Scottsdale show, Dick would arrive and the first thing he would do is drive around and talk to everybody who was setting up. And I mean, EVERYBODY. He always did that. When Dick fell in love with Zefyr and decided he wanted a western pleasure horse, he would say to me every time I saw him, ‘Did you find me a western horse?’ I finally got him Jay Z (Zefyr x Venessa EQ, by Versace) last summer. He was coming along really well and at the 2018 U.S. Nationals, was Reserve Champion in the AWPA Equine Athlete $50,000 H/A Western Pleasure Futurity. It was the newest national winner Dick owned before he died. At Scottsdale the youngster won the H/A Western Pleasure Jr. Horse championship too. Dick would have liked that a lot, I think. Lara came down and took a lesson on the horse and enjoyed it. I am sure her dad and my dad were both watching.”

“The Ames’ were old school Arabian horse breeders,” says Walter Mishek, “they showed what they bred. That’s how it was done then.

For some folks, family is determined by blood relationship. For the Ames’, it was all about family, love and friendship. The same people Dick met and cared about in the 60s were still his friends in 2019. He was the definition of loyalty—always there for you, good times and bad. You could depend on him. He was very involved in the Scott County Fair in Jordan and made certain that it was a whopping, big Percheron show. In 2018 there were 19 6-horse hitches in the ring at the same time. He bought a Ferris Wheel and had it completely restored and set up for the Fair. He painted buildings, moved rings, set up fences. He loved sports, playing cards (Gin), and eating Fair food. He loved church, community, the University of Minnesota, football and basketball teams … and all of them were put to work by him at one time or other.”

Ar abian Horse Times | 31 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

Dick Ames’ longtime affection for western Arabian horses includes all western working horses in general. He particularly liked the way judges judged the reining and said so in this 2015 interview for the Arabian and Half-Arabian Reining Futurities booklet put out

by Arabian Horse Times, “I believe that reining is the best class in Arabian competition today. Unlike a lot of horse showing, reining is easy to understand, easy to explain to newcomers, and it’s a class where the judges are visibly and readily accountable. There are fewer politics and it’s a point per category event with subtraction for faults.” Dick was a producer and founder for both the Scottsdale Reining Futurities (created in 2005 with Tom Redmond and Joe Betten) and the ARBC (Arabian Reining Breeders Classic), created in 2014.

Dick started showing reiners in the early 90s. Mark Bucher worked with them at Cedar Ridge Arabians from 1992 to 1995 and from 2002 to 2004. “I met Dick for the first time when I was working for Jerry McCrea,” Mark says. “I used to catch up with Dick at the shows and I would tell him that I had a ‘diamond in the rough’ for him. I thought he would really enjoy riding a reiner, or at least a western horse. Dick was fun to coach, but he had a hard time staying on pattern. He was so determined to do it; to get it right.

We had a great relationship. By the time I went back the second time, I had my own place. My son, Zane, rode Dick’s horse Black N Style+// to 2003 Youth National Champion Reining JTR 13 & Under. Since meeting him, I used to call Dick every Christmas Eve. He taught me more about life than anybody else. He was a great man; an amazing man.”

In the mid-90s, Keith Tracy joined Tom Moore, Andy Sellman and Bob Gordon at Cedar Ridge. He and Dick both showed Echos Promise at U.S. and Canadian Nationals, bringing home two Reserve National Championships and several top tens in reining, open and amateur. Between 1995 and 1998, they teamed up with the famous reiner Jaborrs Impack and took a national championship and a reserve, as well as several top tens. “Dick’s a straight shooter, that’s for sure,” says Keith. “It’s a lot of hard work, but the man just did it because he loved it. I was at Cedar Ridge at the start of the western classes at Youth Nationals. In the beginning, they did stock seat equitation, reining and western pleasure. I was the coach at Youth for the kids. What I remember best about Dick is how honest he was. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He would drive all over the showgrounds and talk to everyone. He loved people and he loved life.”

Noted Arabian reining trainer Crystal McNutt was 19 in 1996 when Dick Ames approached her in Canada about reining horses. “I got him the *Gondolier daughter, Marliera (x Mark IV Evergreen, by *Bask),” says Crystal proudly. “I am grateful to have been a part of Dick’s journey with reining horses. We worked hard on most of Dick’s Amateur horses together, including his stallion, TA Mozart.

Dick was larger than life. He won Scottsdale and was Reserve National Champion at U.S. with Mozart. He always tried to do better, and we had a great time at the shows with him. TA Mozart was Dick’s ‘heart’ horse. They were like peas and carrots. Toward the end he really upped his game. He became his own vision. It was a great close to his career.”

Ames Reining Stand-outs: MINDING PS AND QS 2007 Scottsdale Champion Arabian Reining Futurity TR TEXAS T 2008 Scottsdale Champion H/A Reining Futurity

FYRE IN THE SKYE 2008 & 2009 Scottsdale Champion Arabian Reining Futurity (the only other horse to do that was TA Mozart in 2011/2012, before Dick bought him in 2015) BRED BY CRA: GONE N DUNIT RA 2013 Scottsdale Champion H/A Reining Futurity ALL MAXED OUT RA 2014 Scottsdale Champion Arabian Reining Futurity DUNIT MY WAY RA 2015 Scottsdale Champion H/A Reining Futurity NSPIRED BY MOZART RA 2017 Scottsdale Champion Arabian Reining Futurity Since the inception of the Scottsdale Reining Futurities, in addition to the above wins, Ames horses have earned two Reserve Scottsdale Reining Futurity titles and 13 Top Ten awards

Ar abian Horse Times | 32 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

TA MOZART (Kordelas x Marieta, by Arbil), 2007 chestnut stallion 2011 U.S. Reserve National Champion Reining Futurity 2012 U.S. National Champion Reining Jr. Horse 2016 U.S. Reserve National Champion Reining Primetime Non-Pro AAOTR (with Dick Ames) 10-time Reining Top Ten 2011 and 2012 Scottsdale Champion Reining Futurity

TA Mozart’s first offspring were born in 2012 and to date, is the sire of five National winners: Express My Checks+/, Mozarts Cromemercedes, Nspired by Mozart RA, Facethemuzic RA and Mozeyondown RA

Ar abian Horse Times | 33 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

Here For The Arabian …

“We have been asked if we are changing everything and selling horses,” Lara says. “We plan to continue with the horses as we have always done. We will be showing halter, English and reining horses every year. We have family members who want to drive, and I am working on my western riding. We will be going to the same number of horse shows, but we are taking fewer horses. Going to the barn and working with the horses is a huge relief for me, personally. It makes everything better. Mom and I make the breeding decisions at Cedar Ridge and we have mentors in each field who advise us as well. We’ve bred to a variety of stallions over the last few years and we’re keeping TA Mozart. We’re also hoping to get two foals from *Perfinka before her lease is up. Our marketing plan is to have three online sales this year. The first one was in April and we’ll have others this summer and fall. We only have a few horses over the age of three. There are 23 or 24 foals expected and some will be sold as two-in-one packages. A number of foals have already been born and we’ve sold several. We sold almost all of the horses we took to Scottsdale in February to sell.”

“We’ve really done pretty well so far this year,” Lollie adds. “We will continue on. We have a beautiful facility and maybe we’ll simply sell a few more horses. We want to keep on doing what we are doing. It’s been successful. We are so very fortunate. We have a great staff here … a great team!”

“Sometimes people don’t realize that we have so much more than just the horses in our lives,” says Lara. “Whatever Dad was doing, with the horses, in business, at the University, in our community and with family … it was always at 150%. Dad would absolutely want us to go on. We like things the way he had it. When I pull into the farm, I am always reminded of him. Mom is going to get more involved with her volunteer work, both dad’s and her own. Like Dad, she’s always been hands-on.

She will go to the shows and always be supportive, at the stalls and in the industry.”

“People come and go in this business,” says Joel Kiesner, “but nobody has put back into the breed like the Ames family. Every direction you look, from the reining and the AEPA, to the Youth Nationals and Arabian Horse Times, they have been contributors. They have a true passion for leaving it better. They have had the time, the energy and the wherewithal to do it and they’ve done it without hesitation.”

Ar abian Horse Times | 34 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

National Champions & Reserves …

BRED BY CEDAR RIDGE ARABIANS

The first National winner recorded as produce of the Cedar Ridge Arabians breeding program was aptly named Ames Pride+ (Feramigo++/ x Rabatah, by Rafgar), 1982 Canadian National Top Ten Western Pleasure AOTR 17 & Under.

The first Half-Arabian National winner recorded as bred by Cedar Ridge Arabians was Going For Gold (Taask x Laras Theme+, by Hasin), 1991 Canadian National Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Gelding Futurity and 1991 U.S. National Top Ten Half-Arabian Gelding Futurity.

From 1982 through 2018, Cedar Ridge Arabians recorded 269 champions and 160 national winners bred by them, 84 of those named National Champions and/or Reserve National Champions. Of these, 57% were purebreds and 44% were Half-Arabians.

AMES SYMBOLIC

AMES IMAGE++

NSPIRED BY MOZART RA

TOI SLAMTASTIC CRF

SG BRASS PRINCE+/

NYTE OF TEMPTATION+/

AMES DIVINE

TOI GIGOLO CRF+/

CR HAVANA CABANA+

TOI STEALER

GOING FOR GOLD

SMARTY AMES++++//

AMES FIRE DEVIL

SLIDE N STYLE+/

SHADES OF TAASK

TOI DIVA CRF

AMES ARISTOCRAT+//

TOI MONEY

AMES LUCKY AFFAIR

PARTY DOLL CRF

CR WINDSOR

AMES CELEBRATION+//

AMES BRASS DOOR+//

MESMERIZE CRF

AMES CASSANOVA+++//

LOTS OF FIRE CRF

AMES RAGTIME++/

ALL CHARISMA

CRF ROSES

RJ AMES

AMES QUEEN

CRF INTOXICATING

AMES KNIGHT+/

JUSTATOI PR

CR SIMPLY MARVELOUS

MISS MAXIMUS

MATALORA+/

KW HERO+/

CR BRASS CHIEF+//

TOI SENSATION CRF

TOI RISTON+/

REVVOLUTION

IT’S A BRASS

TOI FABULOUS CRF

AMES ARROGENT++/

NOBLE SUPREME CRF

CRF BARENAKED LADY++++// GONE N DUNIT RA

AMES JASMINE

TAKE A SPIN+

KEVIN COSTNER CRF

AL PATINO CRF

BRASS STAR

STLA HEYS DANCE CLASS

CRF HOTT PANTS+/

DUN WITH STYLE RA

AMES LORA+/

NOBLE BEY CRF

BRASS GLAMOR SHOT

BEN THERE DUNTHAT RA

AMES ADMIRAL

SIR MARWAN CRF

TOI TALENT+++/

I MEAN TOSHOW CRF+

AMES CHARISMA

AMES TACOMA

TOI STAR CRF+

DUNIT ON FYRE RA

AMES CONTENDER

AMES INSPIRATION

AMES CITY SLICKER+

DUNIT MY WAY RA

AMES TOI LOVE

ALL MAXED OUT RA

TOI STORE CRF+//

DUNMINDING PS AND QS

AMES CAPTIVATOR+

CRF SHINNING ENCORE

TOI SUPREME CRF

WHERES WANDA RA

PRINCE OF AMES

AMES IMPERATOR

TOIRATION CRF

HIS OWNMAN CRF

As of April, 2019

Ar abian Horse Times | 36 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

AMES SYMBOLIC

SG BRASS PRINCE+/

BRASS STAR

AMES CELEBRATION+//

KW HERO+/

CR BRASS CHIEF+//

CRF BARENAKED LADY++++//

TOI STORE CRF+//

TOI SLAMTASTIC CRF

SMARTY AMES++++//

MISS MAXIMUS

TOI SENSATION CRF

Ar abian Horse Times | 37 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

Purebreds

Disciplines

83 WINNERS

STALLION HALTER – 10

SIDE SADDLE – 12

MARE HALTER – 16

SHOW HACK – 24

153 U.S.

GELDING HALTER – 30

NATIVE COSTUME – 24

154 CANADA

ENGLISH PLEASURE – 91

REINING – 22

106 YOUTH

COUNTRY PLEASURE – 125

REINED COW HORSE – 3

11 SPORT HORSE

PARK – 8

TRAIL – 4

56 CHAMPIONSHIPS

WESTERN PLEASURE – 6

COMPETITIVE TRAIL – 3

63 RESERVES

HUNTER PLEASURE – 8

305 TOP TENS

DRIVING – 22

OTHER – 17 (Equitation, UPHA, Working Hunter, Hunter Hack)

424 NATIONAL WINS

Half-Arabians Disciplines 77 WINNERS

MARE HALTER – 20

NATIVE COSTUME – 20

460 NATIONAL WINS

GELDING HALTER – 39

REINING – 84

175 U.S.

ENGLISH PLEASURE – 92

REINED COW HORSE – 8

119 CANADA

COUNTRY PLEASURE – 125

COMPETITIVE TRAIL – 2

164 YOUTH

PARK – 2

RANCH RIDING – 4

2 SPORT HORSE

HUNTER PLEASURE – 3

72 CHAMPIONSHIPS

DRIVING – 11

63 RESERVES

SIDE SADDLE – 3

OTHER – 17 (Equitation, UPHA, Working Hunter, Hunter Hack)

325 TOP TENS

SHOW HACK – 6

U.S., Canadian, Youth & Sport Horse Nationals Open • Amateur • Youth 1982-2018

Ar abian Horse Times | 38 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

CONGR ATULATIONS ON THIS MILESTONE! Over the last 50 years, CRA and the Ames family have been a staunch advocate and supporter of the Arabian horse, always giving of their time, energy and financial support. They have been our family for the last 29 years, and it has been a wonderful ride. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

We love you!

Tom, Liz & Emme Moore

Ar abian Horse Times | 40 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

MY MENTOR

Dick ...

Dick and Tom with Goblet Of Fire CCF 2018 U.S. National Unanimous Champion Pleasure Driving AAOTD

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

My mentor My role model My inspiration My beloved friend You are greatly missed.

Tom

IT’S ALL ABOUT J-AMES

Top left and above: CRF Shinning Encore and Zach Stransky, Youth National Champion Top right: Brass Star and John Golladay, U.S. National Reserve Champion Left: Brass Star and Moriah Fischer, Canadian National Champion

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

Below: Brass Star and Moriah Fischer, Canadian National Champion

Throughout your life there are individuals and experiences that help mold and shape your life. As my passion for the Arabian horse grew, so did my relationships with great individuals whose success I wanted to emulate. Cedar Ridge and the Ames family were individuals that I aspired to.

Because of my agricultural background, it was easy to relate to Dick’s passion and understanding of the ag-based farm and its true use of livestock in our lives. I would describe the Ames family as architects. Those who design and build. Cedar Ridge is not just one builder, but a composite of many ideas that led to unparalleled success.

The Ames family always thinks of the Arabian horse as useful and versatile. Few farms compete in so many divisions. This is where the talents of each architect prevailed. Lollie, with her eye for a complete horse, Dick with his passion for working and reining, as well as driving; and Lara, with her passion for promotion and English horses. Together, their combined talents have built a highly recognized dynasty. And they also have the ability to surround themselves with incredible and talented individuals who support their daily care and development.

Perhaps, Cedar Ridge’s greatest success, is their reputation of sincerely caring for their horses, their employees, and their clients. Cedar Ridge is not just a farm, it is family. I have used Danny Thomas’ s quote many times, but it is truly applicable to the Ames family, “Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It is what you do for others.”

Cedar Ridge and the Ames family truly live this meaning of success. Congratulations on 50 years.

Larry and Shelley Jerome Ar abian Horse Times | 43 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

STRONG FOUNDATIONS BUILD GREAT LEGACIES

“Great God, Great Faith.

Great Faith, Great Spirit.

Great Spirit, Great Soul.

Top: Gai Fawn and David Boggs, David’s first United States National Top Ten Inset: David and Paul Emerson

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

Great Soul, Great Life.

Great Life, Great Deeds.

Great Deeds, Great Blessings.”

Lailah Gifty Akita

My earliest memories of Dick Ames’ lessons on life began as a lad in the late 70s. He was on our farm nearly every day when we were building the original barns and arenas of Midwest Training Centre, so I got to know him pretty well. In fact, Dick himself did the excavating work. I also remember sitting on a bar stool in the basement of Paul Emerson’s home listening and learning as my father, Dick, and a few other innovative men first discussed and then created what would become the famed Minnesota Arabian Breeders Association and its futurity program. It was that original platform—created over the course of many such meetings—which became the template for other Arabian horse organizations when they formed their own futurity programs on local, state, and Regional levels.

Organizers began to emulate that group of Minnesota men with programs such as Scottsdale Signature Stallion Futurity, Iowa Gold Star Futurity, Spotlight Futurity, and Silver Sire Futurity.

The Boggs and Ames families were very close friends and it was very clear to Dick and his wife Lollie how crazy I was about training and showing halter horses. One of my greatest moments was when they asked me to present their prize mare, Gai Fawn, at the U.S. National Championships. They had purchased her from Dan Gainey, Sr. himself. Throughout my career, I have been continually blessed with leading the finest horses in the industry throughout my career. I have personally handled and presented more National Champion halter horses than any other trainer. But no matter how many splendid horses I led and will lead in the future, this is one I’ll always remember. I won’t forget those goosebumps and that moment with Gai Fawn. She was my first.

Ar abian Horse Times | 45 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

Below: *Wieza Mocy, Arabian National Breeder Finals Gold Champion Senior Mare

Throughout the years, the two families accomplished much together, and we enjoyed many outings and fun times. And now, we are looking forward to the excitement of our next adventure together. With Dick’s presence continuing to guide us, Lollie

A true leader is one who leaves memorable footprints of nobility.

and Lara are joining with me on a new journey—this one on angel’s wings—as we present to the world the Polish beauty, *Perfinka. I am deeply honored and humbled to continue to contribute to the Ames’ legacy.

Congratulations to the Ames family on 50 years of excellence!

We love you all, David, Courtney, Lyndsey, Emma & Jake

Ar abian Horse Times | 46 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

THE FUTURE HOLDS UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

*Perfinka (Esparto x Perfirka) Arabian Breeders World Cup Supreme Gold Champion Senior Mare Presented by David Boggs Owned by Bialka State Stud Farm Leased by Cedar Ridge Arabians Midwest Station II www.midwestarabian.com

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

BREEDING EXCELLENCE Vitorio TO (DA Valentino x Sol Natique) Sire of CRA-bred: Tina Ames 2017 MN Fall Fest Champion Auction Yearling Filly ATH Black Pearl CRF 2019 MN Fall Fest Champion Yearling Medallion and Auction Filly ATH

We’ve experienced many thrilling moments through our partnerships and shared vision. It is with extreme honor that I call you friends. Here’s to future successful pairings and endless, treasured memories.

Congratulations on 50 years!

Janey Morse Oak Ridge Arabians

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

*Wieza Mocy Arabian National Breeder Finals Gold Champion Senior Mare Highest Scoring Horse of the Show!

Triple Crown Champion Mare Las Vegas Supreme Gold Champion Senior Mare Scottsdale Gold Champion Senior Mare United States National Champion Senior Mare

Team Midwest, together with Janey Morse of Oak Ridge Arabians, were honored to be entrusted with the priceless mare, *Wieza Mocy. All were deeply committed to providing every opportunity to this “Princess of Poland,� during her temporary stay in America, to achieve her greatest potential in the show ring and as a vessel of life.

Her debut in the American show ring at the Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas was a resounding success and a promise of her stellar future.

It was with great honor, that Cedar Ridge purchased the

EXPERT SKILL AND ARTISTRY

first embryo right to *Wieza Mocy, resulting in her first daughter, Wieza Bella, by *Pogrom.

Ar abian Horse Times | 49 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

LEADERSHIP DEFINED

The Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund salutes the family that defines the term Leadership. Thank you for walking the altruistic walk for 5 decades and supporting this community in so very many ways.

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

Ar abian Horse Times | 50 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

5x National Champion Dunit My Way RA (Hollywood Dun It x Minding Ps And Qs) 3x National Champion Dunit On Fyre RA (Brennas Golden Dunit x Fyre In The Skye)

Congratulations to the Ames Family on Cedar Ridge Farm’s Golden Anniversary.

It is with sincere gratitude, that we watched your commitment to the Arabian horse and its community.

With your immense quality of horses and horsemanship, you have lead by example for over 5 decades, and have created a true standard to follow for decades to come.

Thank you, Audrey & Kathie Hart Vallejo III Ranch, LLC

LEADING BY EXAMPLE Ar abian Horse Times | 51 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

FOUNDERS & FRIENDS Dick & Lollie at Christmas.

The Minnesota Arabian Horse Breeders, Inc. was founded in 1979 by a group of dedicated people who came together for the purpose of promoting the beauty, intelligence and versatility of the Arabian breed. This group created the Medallion Stallion Futurity program which is still showcased today in the Minnesota Breeders Fall Festival show. Dick and Lollie Ames were among the founding members. How much they care about our program has been demonstrated every year by their assistance with and participation in our show. Both Dick and Lollie have always been there for us with advice, assistance and support.

Our Christmas Party was the club’s final event for 2018.

At that party, we presented a “walk down memory lane” video with Dick Ames, that at times, was a “mini roast.” No one laughed harder than Dick at those videos. He stayed until we closed the doors. It was the last time many of us saw him.

Thank you, Dick and Lollie, from all of us, for your friendship and your support of this program and the Arabian breed.

Donna Hentges | President, MAHB

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

Toi Daniels+ 2018 Unanimous Canadian National Champion Country English Pleasure Select Rider Roberta & Lollie celebrate Roberta’s first Regional Championship

Fifty years is an amazing accomplishment!

We could congratulate you on developing a breeding program known for producing talented (and beautiful) horses, or on the hundreds of nationals wins you and your horses have won, or your most successful training program.

Instead, we want to Thank You for your 50 years of passion and dedication to the Arabian horse! You have had a profound impact on the breed and on us. Thank you for always being there for us!

Roberta and Dean Lembke

PROUD CLIENTS & FRIENDS FOR 30 YEARS...

Ar abian Horse Times | 53 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

DEVOTED & PASSIONATE

Congratulations, Ames Family, on celebrating Cedar Ridge Arabians’ 50th Anniversary! We respect your passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the Arabian horse.

It has been a pleasure to watch Cedar Ridge grow into an industry leader. We share in the same goals of breeding beautiful and athletic horses.

We are proud to be part of the Arabian horse community that you support in so many ways.

We wish you the best as you carry on the Cedar Ridge tradition of breeding and showing quality Arabians and Half-Arabians.

Roger and Linda Lervick Dennis Wigren R.O. Lervick Arabians Stanwood, Washington Rolervickarabians.com

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

THE VAN HANDEL FAMILY from left to right: Alexis, Easton, Indira, Tristan, Mike and Natalie

Congratulations on Cedar Ridge’s first 50 years of success in building a legacy within the Arabian horse community. Your family has honorably inspired people from all walks of life, setting the standard in yourselves, your horses and the way that you give back.

Thank you for that. We wish you continued success and are proud to call you some of our closest friends.

Best Wishes, Mike & Indira Van Handel family

PROUD TO CALL YOU SOME OF OUR CLOSEST FRIENDS...

Ar abian Horse Times | 55 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

DEDICATED & LOYAL

Congratulations, Ames Family, on celebrating Cedar Ridge Arabians’ 50th Anniversary!

Loyal to family, friends and country, your passion and support for the Arabian horse and industry has helped strengthen the breed. Dick, Lollie and Lara, have always been quick to step up with their support for important issues that impact the Arabian horse and community.

I am proud to be associated with you and celebrate your anniversary.

Lollie and Lara, we wish you both the best as you share with all, your passion for the Arabian horse.

Kim Jarvis C. Jarvis Insurance Agency, Inc.

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

TA Mozart with Crystal McNutt.

Congratulations on all of your success throughout the Arabian industry and all you have accomplished in the last 50 years as breeders, exhibitors and horsemen. I am thankful to have been a part of it for more than two decades, and to have had your horses as a staple in my barn.

Crystal McNutt McNutt Performance Horses

THANKFUL & PROUD...

Ar abian Horse Times | 57 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations, Cedar Ridge Arabians, on 50 years of passion and commitment to the Arabian horse! The care and dedication to your horses is surpassed by none. It has been an honor for all of us at Equine Athlete Veterinary Services to be part of the team at Cedar Ridge Arabians.

Thank you to Lollie, Lara, and the late Dick Ames, for being such great ambassadors and making a difference in this breed.

You have set an example we will always strive to follow in supporting the Arabian industry.

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

May we all continue to celebrate and share our love for the Arabian horse!

Brad Hill, DVM, Ty Wallis, DVM, MS, DACVS, and the entire Equine Athlete team

APPOINTMENTS USA World’s Premier Manufacturer of Custom Show Horse Apparel, Stall Draperies Tack Containers & Accessories

At Appointments USA, our staff boasts over 150 years of combined experience working together in the show horse industry. Teamwork and tenure ensure the highest level of quality in product and design. We specialize in custom products from Show Sheets and Winter Blankets to Stall Draperies, Tack Trunks, and Related Containers and Accessories.

We help you shine.

Appointments USA salutes The Ames Family & Cedar Ridge Arabians on 50 years of excellence in and out of the show ring.

Ar abian Horse Times | 59 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

FOREVER GRATEFUL...

Words cannot describe the depth of my gratitude for the Ames family. They embraced my love for horses as a youngster and nurtured me personally and professionally as though I were their son and brother. They taught me values that I cherish as I raise my children and participate in the Arabian horse industry.

Dick, Lollie and Lara had an enormous impact on my life.

I hope to honor that by returning the goodness they shared

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

with me to my wife, children and the rest of the Arabian community.

Andy Sellman

Bottom, clockwise: Emily with Brass Star, 2X Canadian National Champions; Honoroll TRGR, Youth National Reserve Champions; Brass Star, Fall Fest Champions; and Lauren and Hott Pants, Region X Reserve Champions.

THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES...

Our first visit to Cedar Ridge Arabians was inspired by Emily’s passion for horses at the age of 6.

One month of birthday lessons led to 12 good years with them, riding, showing and owning horses.

Our favorite memory of Dick was during our visit to Scottsdale in 2016, where he was riding Mozart, and both Emily and Lauren planned to ride with Jen at the farm. Having brought out Brass Star for Emily to ride, Dick was so thrilled to see them together, he envisioned them competing. Dick gave us this opportunity, and with a smile on his face, said, “I believe in you Emily,” and the rest was history!

Thank you so much, Ames family, for your generosity, and thank you for the memories that will last a lifetime! You truly are an amazing family.

Simon, Jane, Emily and Lauren Pate

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FAMILY TRADITION Jay Z, 2019 U.S. National Reserve Champion AWPA H/A Western Pleasure with Jody Strand for Cedar Ridge Farm.

Congratulations to Cedar Ridge and the Ames family on their 50th Anniversary. Having just celebrated our own 60th milestone, I reflect on how far back the Ames and Strand families go. My earliest memory of Cedar Ridge was when I was just a kid, and would watch my father and my Uncle Milton show G-Amigo.

We took great pride in all of our stallions’ accomplishments back in those days. Dick and his brother would go round and round with my dad, trying to fire each other up about something negative someone said about Ed’s beloved stallion! My outspoken father, of course, would never hold back words in the matter, so Dick thoroughly enjoyed it! They did business together, back in those days, and remained close over the years.

It was my honor to represent Cedar Ridge and the Ames family at the U.S. Nationals last year, and look forward to the times ahead.

From our family to yours, we send our best.

Jody, Janice, Megan, Aminah, Shea & Justin Strand

ForLove LoveofofthetheArabian ArabianHorse...

Horse...

For FiftyYears Yearsand andCounting...

Counting...

Fifty

Conway Arabians’ 400-acre full-service, four-season home in Chatfield, MN. Bbeam Me Up, a favorite CRF lesson horse bred by Lori and Peter Conway.

“If some part of you doesn’t cry a little every time you sell a horse and see it leave, then you shouldn’t be a breeder.”

Hard to believe it’s been a quarter century since Dick told me that.

I had just joined the Minnesota Breeders and he wanted to know if I was motivated to breed for money or love of the horse. That was the beginning.

Our chats became part of every horse show from then on. Mostly we talked about the most important things, “were we getting the rain we needed?” “was everyone in good health?” “was the country headed in the right direction?” “was business good?” ... Of course, we talked horses and the industry, but not like most did. He never was trying to sell anything, it was always about how to make things better.

No one will or can ever replace Dick Ames and what he meant to our community. So each of us has to step up a little, and maybe together, if we all do a little more, we can do what he would expect from us.

We salute Cedar Ridge Arabians for their incredible 50-year program and for always providing leadership for us all.

ALWAYS ABOUT MAKING THINGS BETTER

Lori & Peter Conway Ar abian Horse Times | 63 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

TRUE AMBASSADORS

Multi-National Champion Toi Jabaska (Matoi x MC Jabaskolee) with Chris and Lara following the 2002 U.S. National Championships.

The Ames Family with Multi-National Champion Matoi following his 1999 U.S. National Park Championship with Chris Wilson.

Chris with Dick, Lollie and Lara celebrating the Scottsdale Championship for Matoi.

My years at Cedar Ridge were some of the best days of my life— great memories were made. I truly appreciate the relationships I developed, horses I got to work with, and lessons I learned.

Cedar Ridge has a love of the Arabian horse and a desire for success. I wish you all the best in your next chapter, as you are true ambassadors of the Arabian horse and I know, will continue to be.

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

Chris Wilson

Ames Lucky Affair (Brass x Lady Gambler) Multi-National Champion H/A Mare Up Your Brass (Brass x Gem of a Doll) Multi-National Champion H/A Gelding SG Brass Prince (Brass x Rose of USA) Multi-National Champion Gelding

IRREPLACEABLE LESSONS Some people had Lasma. I had Cedar Ridge. It was college for me. The school of life! And I am so thankful for my time there. I still talk about it, and I tell my kids about it! The Ames family set out to be the most innovative and complete force in the horse industry, and they were. Everything I learned from Dick and the team at CRF, I still practice today. Some 20 years later, my family now too, has a new, raw piece of property ready to be molded into our own dream. I’m grateful to have a model like theirs to follow.

Congratulations and thank you, for your 50 years of raising the bar!

Ted & Brandi Carson Ar abian Horse Times | 65 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

7 years, 70 National Championships & Reserve National Championships at U.S., Youth, and Canadian Nationals, and COUNTLESS cherished memories!!

It was almost impossible to choose which photos to include in this tribute! We would need about 50 pages to do justice to our time at Cedar Ridge. There was the quantifiable–the ribbons won, and the unquantifiable– the birth of our two children, the memories made, the lessons learned, moments that turned friends into family, celebrations of victories large and small, and the fun times we will cherish forever.

Toi Slamtastic CRF & John Golladay 2012 Reserve National Champion H/A English Pleasure Open

Dick, Lollie & Lara love hard and support their team hard. That unwavering support was certainly appreciated then, and is still felt now. We were so lucky to be a part of

Toi Supreme CRF & Lara Ames 2014 U.S. National Champion H/A Country English Pleasure AAOTR 36-54 Noble Supreme CRF with Leah Beth Golladay 2014 U.S. National Reserve Champion Country English Pleasure

Cedar Ridge and its history!

John & Leah Beth Golladay

MOMENTS THAT TURN FRIENDS INTO FAMILY

Starr Llight & Brass Star with John & Leah Golladay 2011 National Champion & Reserve Arabian English Pleasure

A Noble Cause and Dick Ames 2011 U.S. National Champion Arabian Pleasure Driving AAOTD

Toi Slamtastic CRF & John Golladay 2013 U.S. National Unanimous Champion H/A English Pleasure

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THE VALUES WE SHARE, ARE THE BONDS THAT ENDURE

The Kiesner and Ames families have had a friendship that spans decades and generations. The love of the Arabian horse and the values we share, are the bonds that will endure and continue that friendship.

We congratulate the Ames family on 50 years of excellence and integrity.

Most of all, we thank them for making the Arabian horse world and the world in general, a better place.

Joel, Ashton, Alexis and Ellawynn Dick, Ruth, Phillip, Gini and Jeff

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

Ar abian Horse Times | 68 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

Below, clockwise: Lollie at one of the many Youth Nationals she attended; Dick and Lollie; Developing young riders, a focus at Cedar Ridge Arabians; Lollie with Cynthia Richardson at the 2016 AHA Convention receiving the President’s Award, on behalf of the Ames family.

50 YEARS...

Influence is defined as the power to affect, directly or indirectly, a person or course of events. Cedar Ridge Arabians in Jordan, Minn., did not intend on becoming one of the most influential breeders of Arabian horses in the country, but through their perseverance and hard work, they accomplished exactly that.

As the Ames family became more involved with Arabian horses, they joined together with other breeders to establish Minnesota Arabian Horse Breeders, an organization that created the Medallion Stallion Futurity program. Further, the Arabian Horse Association is particularly grateful for Lollie Ames’s years on the Youth National Show Commission and service as Region 7 Director for AHA. The show ring successes of the Ames family are well-documented, but their greatest accomplishment has been achieved through their breeding program. The resulting influence of the Cedar Ridge family and horses is so vast that it will surely be felt within the Arabian industry for generations to come.

Nancy Harvey, President & Glenn Petty, Executive Vice President Arabian Horse Association Ar abian Horse Times | 69 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

DICK AMES ... .

A MAN THAT OTHER MEN ASPIRE TO BE. ~Ted Gibson

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

Below, clockwise: Nutcracker Sweet PF (Undulata’s Nutcracker x Ames Déjà Vu,

by Brass); Noble Vision PF (MHR Nobility x Neveah W, by Matoi); Get Crackin PF (Undulata’s Nutcracker x Red Hott Mama, an Ames Déjà Vu daughter)

PRESTIGIOUS Congratulations to the Ames Family on your 50-year milestone of breeding and enjoying Arabian horses!

Thank you for sharing the great Brass and Matoi with the Arabian horse community.

Wishing you continued happiness as Cedar Ridge’s journey continues.

Prestige Farms, LLC Irwin Schimmel & Family Hillsboro, Oregon PrestigeFarmsLLC.com

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BLESSED

We have been blessed to work with Cedar Ridge Arabians for the past few years. It is well known that the Ames family has given much to this breed and has been generous in sharing their love of Arabians with the public by breeding, training and showing great horses.

What may not be as well-known, due to the humble and understated “modus operandi” of CRA, is that they and their staff are the most fun, genuine, caring, sharing and accommodating farm and family you could ever hope to do business with. What they do “under the radar” for our breed exceeds all expectations. Congratulations, and here’s to the next 50!

Vicki Humphrey & Jessica Clinton Vicki Humphrey Training Center

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

Below, clockwise: Kevin with CRA’s 2003 Canadian National winners; with a young CRA rider; with Toi Jabaska, 2003 multi-National Champion Arabian Pleasure Driving Open and Amateur horse; and with 2008 National Champion H/A English Pleasure Jr. Horse, Toi Slamtastic CRF

CHEERS TO MANY YEARS Congratulations to the Ames family and Cedar Ridge Arabians on being one of the elite farms in the Arabian industry for the last 50 years! Our time with Cedar Ridge was filled with lots of fun and excitement, along with lots of success! We wish them many more years of breeding, training and showing this great breed!

Price Performance Horses Kevin and Gretchen Price Dr. Ken and Becky Price

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FAMILIES BOUND BY LOVE Poise And Ivy (Brass x Shimmering Star B) 1998 Canadian National Champion Futurity Filly.

Bred by Bob & Janene Boggs and Dee & Jane Ehrlich.

The Boggs and Ames family share a strong connection that has endured the past 50 years.

It began with our parents, Don and Shorty Boggs, and their friendship with Dick and Lollie Ames. Bound by their mutual love of Arabian horses, they created history as founding members of MAHA and the Minnesota Medallion Stallion Futurity, the first futurity of its kind in the country and the example other breeder futurities emulate to this day.

From breeding and showing National Champions to sharing life’s ups and downs, the Boggs and Ames families have always supported each other.

This commitment continues today and will endure for generations to come.

The Bob & Janene Boggs Family

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

TWO FAMILIES UNITED BY A PASSION FOR THE ARABIAN HORSE The Schall family is grateful for “ALL” the memories and moments that Cedar Ridge Farms has created over the years. The magnitude in which the Ames family has impacted our breed and those of us committed to it, including Shada, is extraordinary!

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14 YEARS AND COUNTING...

We have been with the Cedar Ridge Family for 14 years now, and could not be happier with the success and memories we have shared along the way!

Above, clockwise: Laura at first horse show, with All Fired Up; with Intoxicating, at the inaugural Arabian Celebration in Lexington, Kentucky; showing Toi Slamtastic CRF; and with Good Vibrations.

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

It is such a blessing to be part of a team that not only supports you when you’re on the back of an Arabian horse, but also during the trials and tribulations that we all face in our personal lives.

The Ames family means so much to the both of us, and when Mr. Ames passed on, it left a hole in our hearts. We will forever honor his memory by being advocates for our wonderful Arabians and supporters of our CRA family and friends, in and out of the competition arena.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Cedar Ridge!

Cheers, Janice and Laura Morton

Below, clockwise: Toni with Ames Admiral; Noble Bey CRF, 2014 Canadian National Champion; Brass Kiss CRF; and Noble Supreme CRF, 2016 U.S. National Champion.

TREASURED BEYOND WORDS From the day I joined CRA 15 years ago, the Ames family has treated us like family.

The friendships, the laughs, and even the tears, are treasured beyond words!

Thank you for all you do for the Arabian horse and its community!

I truly feel blessed to have been part of the Cedar Ridge family.

Congratulations on 50 years!

Love, Toni and Michael

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SHARING A PASSION...

Strawberry Banks Farm is proud to congratulate the Ames family and Cedar Ridge Arabians on their milestone 50th Anniversary! Fifty years of love, promotion, breeding and fierce competition in the show ring ‌ we salute you and all you have done for our magnificent Arabian horse.

We wish you continued success in all your endeavors and endless passion for the breed we both love so much!

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

Barbara Chur Strawberry Banks Farm

DEDICATED...

Baske Afire pictured at the 2008 Cedar Ridge Sale

Congratulations to the Ames Family and Cedar Ridge Arabians on celebrating your 50th Anniversary.

Dedicated to promoting and sharing the Arabian horse, your family’s influence is far reaching. We are proud to share your passion and enthusiasm for breeding and showing.

Thank you for being a diligent supporter of both the Arabian horse and Stachowski Farm. We look forward to many years of friendship.

Jim, Peter and the entire Stachowski Farm staff

IT AIN’T OVER YET...

OKAY, DICK . . .

You got in front of me on this one, but you better be really well mounted when I see you again in Heaven!

It ain’t over yet, my good friend!

Eleanor

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

LIFE IS A JOURNEY...

Our journey took us to Cedar Ridge with a young colt named ROL Divine Style. “Duke� found a home, and we found the warmth of the Ames family at their paradise in Jordan, Minn. With welcoming arms, they invited us to their farm and in many ways, their lives.

We are honored to have had the privilege of being part of the Cedar Ridge family, and send our warmest wishes for the continued success of this special place on earth.

Thank you for all that you have shared with us.

DELSAN Arabians, LLC

Ar abian Horse Times | 81 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

For Love of the Arabian Horse...Fifty Years and Counting...

Dick, I did not know you were sick; if I had and knew how serious it was, I would have come to see you. I never had a chance to say goodbye, or how much I admire you as a man and a friend.

I always thought that when you pass away and go up to the pearly gates, and the Lord asks you, “What did you do with your life, and did you make a difference while you were alive?”, that it would be a resounding, yes.

You did make a difference ... in many lives, and all the people that you touched. I always admired you; I thought you were larger than life and the last person I thought would be gone. You treated everybody you met with respect, regardless of their income or position. You were a humble man, you were a good friend, you were successful in your work, and that is not an easy thing to attain. You were a talented person who everybody loved and admired, and that, Dick, is quite a statement to make about any man’s life.

You will be missed but never forgotten. Your many, many friends will remember you for years to come. I will miss you, Dick, a lot ... the horse shows will not be the same without you.

Goodbye my friend, rest in peace.

Tom Redmond Ar abian Horse Times | 82 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

National Champion Toi Sensation CRF (left) and Amadeus RA, both bred by the Ames Family and owned by Katie Harvey, KGB Texas.

Thank you, Dick Ames and the Ames family, for your 50 years of inspiration, dreams and dedication. You have truly been tireless leaders, and we are all so appreciative.

Katie Harvey

“IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER.” ~President John Quincy Adams

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DEVOTED TO THE ARABIAN HORSE...

Congratulations to the Ames family on celebrating Cedar Ridge Arabians’ 50th Anniversary. We are proud to share the passion and love you have for the Arabian horse and its community. You have set a high standard for all of us to strive for as we promote the Arabian horse.

For all that you do ‌ thank you.

We wish you continued success and look forward to many more years of Cedar Ridge influence.

Paul and Sabrina Glans

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

Congratulations, Cedar Ridge Arabians, on 50 fabulous years! We have always admired you and felt privileged to be part of the CRA team.

Thank you for your friendship and support.

Todd, Jen and Annie Glomski Pictured with CRA-bred Supreme Glamor CRF

CONGRATULATIONS OUR FRIENDS...

Cedar Ridge is home to many of my sweetest friendships and memories. I have learned so much here; I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had, both in and out of the saddle—I cherish them all! Thank you and congratulations, Ames family, for creating this beautiful and special place! ~ Melissa Montello (and Aaron, Caleb & Maddie)

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LASTING IMPACT

Trying to capsulize the memories of our time at Cedar Ridge and as friends for the past 20 plus years has really brought home to me the importance of being aware of the impact that we have on others as we go through our own lives. We have no way of knowing how the simplest kind action or word can have a lasting impact on someone or how we may be the one person who can change a life just by living our lives in the right way.

Such is the case with our relationship to Cedar Ridge and the Ames family. The times that Russ and I spent there are, without a doubt, some of the fondest memories of our lives with Arabian horses. To this day, the people that we’ve met while clients at Cedar Ridge have become our best and lifelong friends. I guess, like attracts like, and we were all drawn together by the fun, professionalism, and family that made up Cedar Ridge. And for sure, those traits flowed from the top down; there was no better example anywhere of that truth than Dick, Lollie and Lara Ames.

To say that Cedar Ridge had a lasting impact on Russ and me would be the most understated comment ever made! We met at the Cedar Ridge stalls in Scottsdale 1996 and then again at the Select Top left & right: Movie Actress, Multi-National Champion.

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

Sale at CRA in Jordan, MN in March of 1997. Nothing can bring two people together like a world famous Minnesota blizzard and four hours in a car together trying to drive 20 miles! Good times!

We had many fun rides, amazing horse shows, hysterical, practical jokes and lifelong memories for which we will be forever grateful.

We would just like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Ames family for so many things, and to say, Congratulations, on your 50th Anniversary. We love you!

Russ and Cathy Vecsey

Bob with Skywitch (right), and High Roller (below), 1995.

CONGR ATULATIONS ‌ to the Ames Family and Cedar Ridge Arabians for being a pillar in the Arabian horse community for 50 years. We are very blessed that you have been a part of our lives for 30 of them!

Wishing you all the best in your continued success!

Bob and Val Gordon

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BEYOND FORTUNATE

Dear Lara and Lollie, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend the last two years being around you so closely. I have always admired you both and the program you have built, and it is truly an honor to be a small part of it now. Getting to work with you has been some of the most incredible times, and it has really showed me what kind and passionate people you are. From the outside, it is amazing

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

to see how much you do for the industry, but from seeing within really shows how genuine and how much you truly care for each and every person that crosses your path. I am beyond lucky to consider you friends.

Love, Josh Shino

ALL OUR LOVE Dear Lollie and Lara, We are filled with the utmost gratitude and appreciation for all of the opportunities afforded us over our years working at Cedar Ridge.

Working for the Ames family has been fun and rewarding, and we are eternally grateful. As the saying, “Team Work Makes The Dream Work” goes, we have the absolute best team!

Congratulations on the past 50 years ... it’s been a great ride; and we are looking forward to sticking beside you for the next 50!

All our love, The Staff of Cedar Ridge Arabians

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TRULY BLESSED Brassmis (Brass Ă— EE Msindependence)

Thank you, Dick, Lollie and Lara, for allowing us the opportunity to purchase Brassmis at the CRA auction; all while attending Sunday Church service!

The Lord really blessed us that day!

Forever grateful, Tim & Marty Shea

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

BRINGING FAMILY TOGETHER

It all began back in 1971 with a palomino gelding named Sheracca.

That horse was Dick’s pride and joy and he knew how much I liked that horse, too.

Fortunately, Sharon and I had the opportunity to purchase Sheracca from Dick and Lollie. He became my pride and joy also, not only for his beauty, but for his ability to bring our families together; showing horses for 48 years and continuing to do so.

Lara, Liz, Laurie and Ellen share a close relationship that we all feel very proud of.

They are there to support one another through life’s ups and downs. For me, Dick was that person. He will always be the most unforgettable person that was part of my life. I feel very fortunate to be able to say he was my brother.

As Cedar Ridge celebrates 50 years, we will continue to make special memories, knowing that somewhere from above, Dick will be watching and cheering us on.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Cedar Ridge.

Whispering Pines Arabians John and Sharon Ames | Scottsdale, Arizona

Clockwise: John & Dick Ames; Lollie & Lara Ames, Ellen Handel, Jessica Clinton, Laurie Ames Husband and Liz Moore; Sharon & John Ames; and Lara & Laurie celebrating at Nationals.

WITH LOVE...

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

“We lose ourselves in the things we love.

We find ourselves there too.�

So grateful for the opportunity.

So honored to carry on the tradition. ~Hadley Ames

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TOGETHER WE MAKE A FAMILY

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty years and counting

A FAMILY IS LIKE A CIRCLE A family is like a circle.

A family is like a book.

But don’t be weary if it’s broken

The connection never ends,

The ending’s never clear,

or if through time it’s been so worn.

and even if at times it breaks,

but through the pages of the book,

Families are like that -

in time it always mends.

their love is always near.

they’re split up and always torn.

A family is like the stars.

A family is many things.

But even if this happens,

Somehow they’re always there.

With endless words that show

your family will always be.

Families are those who help,

who they are and what they do

They help define just who you are

who support and always care.

and how they teach you so you know.

and will be a part of you eternally.

by Nicole M. O’Neil

Ar abian Horse Times | 95 | Cedar R idge Ar abians

DEAR MOM

For Love of the Arabian Horse...

Fifty Years and Counting...

HORSEFLY FILMS

YOU ARE ONE OF THE STRONGEST PEOPLE I KNOW Dear Mom, Thank you for introducing me to something that I love so dearly. There was nothing better than growing up with you in the barn and watching Cedar Ridge grow over the last 48 years of my life.

You are one of the strongest people I know. Over the last 10 years, you have gone through some very difficult times health-wise and then with the passing of Dad, were there every step of the way for all of us. And I do not think there is anyone who has volunteered and given back to the industry like you have done, and in such a silent way.

I can hardly wait to see where the future takes us, but I know for sure, I am very honored to be traveling this road with you and super proud to call you Mom. All the best and love you lots, Lara

Golden.

Our love for the Arabian horse has always and will forever be