The English
Show Horse
The Arabian English horse is … charismatic, bright, powerful, eye-catching, and inspiring. As the focal point of one of the most exciting classes our Arabian has to offer, arenas boom with cheers for encore laps at the end of an already exhausting class. And that’s just from the stands. From their backs, the best riders make an effortless picture, even when a storm is brewing on their fingertips. But isn’t that part of the charm? Turn the pages to learn more about the wind-up toy of our beloved breed—the Arabian English horse.
Julie Daniel
Daniel Training CenTer Who introduced you to the Arabian breed? My mom owned Arabian horses very early on, so my love of the breed was destiny. She patiently taught me to ride when I was six and I vividly remember crying for days because I couldn’t get our gelding to canter. It seems so funny now and makes for a good family story! How has Saddle Seat evolved over the years? When I was young, we showed our horses in several disciplines. They were jacks of all trades, expert at none. My first horse, Mister Heritage, was a park horse that we also showed in western classes! By today’s standards, that is unthinkable and even hard to imagine, thank goodness! Our English horses are now bred and trained to be the best they can be in that individual field. What is one horse that you are not affiliated with that you wish you could have bred, owned, or shown? Revelation JF. He is one of the most cadenced horses I have ever had the pleasure of watching. He looks like a blast to ride and makes it look so effortless. It is obvious that he enjoys it as well -I honestly don’t think I have ever seen him tip an ear! Name one horse that showed 20+ years ago, that you think would still make an impact on the show ring today.
114 | ARABIAn HORSE TIMES
Julie Daniel
Countess Vanessa. Just thinking of her takes my breath away; one of the all-time greats of our industry. What advice would you give a new buyer when purchasing an English horse? Take your time. Consult with a professional who is well-respected and trustworthy. Don’t buy a horse solely based upon its show record, and keep in mind that the rider needs to fit the horse and vise-a-versa.