“horse-crazy” child and avidly read every horse book I could find. Although I loved all horses, it was the Arabian that captured my heart and I vowed that if I could ever afford a horse it would have to be an Arabian. Since then, it has been my privilege to have bred many national champions out of the great Half-Arabian mare Miz American Pie, who I owned with my friend Roxann Hart of Rohara Arabians. Currently, I am in partnership with Rohara on the U.S. National Reserve Champion Half-Arabian Gelding Rohara Marcs The Spot, a talented pinto QR Marc son. Last year, I purchased the multi-national champion Half-Arabian Gelding Maghnus Z. Both of the boys live at Rohara. I also still have my 33-year-old Half-Arabian pinto mare Karma Gypsy, a Breyer® model horse, living at home with us in North Carolina. Although 33, Gypsy is as feisty as ever and always a challenge to ride! In terms of my favorite memories with Arabians, there are actually two exciting things. One was winning halter this year at Scottsdale. I had never shown at Scottsdale before, and Maghnus Z and I were unanimous champions in HalfArabian Classic Geldings 3 and Older AAOTH, which included the stock/hunter and saddle/pleasure divisions. The other exciting moment was singing the Canadian and U.S. National Anthems astride Karma Gypsy at the 1994 U.S. Nationals. That was really a thrill—singing under the spotlights at Louisville’s Freedom Hall—amidst the cheers of a packed house, while Gypsy behaved like she did this every day! I would say I am most serious about preserving the integrity of our breeding programs, as well as being an ambassador of the breed. By that, I mean presenting the Arabian to the equine community as the most versatile, talented and beautiful of all breeds of horses. I had the opportunity to meet thousands of horse enthusiasts when I performed on Karma Gypsy during Breyerfest at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park. We dispelled many untrue rumors about the “flighty” Arabian that weekend as I sang on Gypsy, who had a 2-month-old filly at her side. It was unbelievable how calm and willing she was to do her job, while the filly ran around the arena at breakneck speed. After the performance, we were required to sign autographs for two hours. Again, there were throngs of people lined up for us to sign their Breyer® Karma Gypsy models. Gypsy calmly stood at my side as adults and children alike hugged her and her filly. This went on for three days, with three sessions each day,
Maddy Winer and Maghnus Z. and at each session Gypsy and her filly, SS Morning Tstar, were troupers, letting everyone hug and pet them without the slightest hesitation. They certainly exemplified the good sense we know our Arabians possess, and everyone was simply amazed! In fact, the president of the Breyer® company was so impressed that he decided to make SS Morning Tstar a Breyer® model as well, and she is the first pinto Arabian Breyer® foal model. The most fun is all the great people we meet at horse shows and different functions involving the Arabian horse. We have acquired an entirely new circle of friends and look forward to catching up with them at each and every show we attend. We have so much fun, and that’s a terrific bonus! n
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