Scottsdale: Performance — A View from Center Ring

Arabian Horse World See Egyptian classes in the May issue.

See full results online.

Opposite: Champion Western Pleasure Holdin Aces (Arezzo NL x Hollygolitely DDF), owned by Joelle and Robert Wright, East Nassau, New York, and shown by Tommy Garland.

PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS

By Gary Dearth

Left: Champion English Pleasure Heirs Noble Love (Afires Heir x Noble Aphroditie), owned

by T Karlton Jackson, Atlanta, Georgia, and shown by Joel Kiesner.

Scottsdale 2018

February 15-25 West World, Scottsdale, Arizona

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THE VIEW FROM CENTER RING

T

his year’s annual Scottsdale Arabian Show proved once again that it is the “Greatest Horse Show on Earth.” No other show in our breed comes close the spectator attendance that the Scottsdale Show attracts every year. “What’s amazing to me about Scottsdale is the energy and enthusiasm that the show generates,” says judge Mitch Sperte. “The Scottsdale club does a better job than anybody else promoting the Arabian horse to the general public. Everyone in the community knows that there is an event of international significance going on.” First-time Scottsdale judge Elizabeth Shatner added, “It’s like a World’s Fair for Arabian horses.”

The most exciting, and a little controversial, performance class at this year’s show was the finals of the Arabian Western Pleasure Championship held Saturday night in front of a full house. To the delight of thousands of spectators, the winner, after a hotly contested work off, was Holdin Aces (Arezzo NL x Hollygolitely DDF), masterfully shown by Tommy Garland for owner/breeders Joelle and Robert Wright. Reserve Champion honors went to last year’s U.S. 29 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b APRIL 2018

Scottsdale 2018

February 15-25 West World, Scottsdale, Arizona

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THE VIEW FROM CENTER RING

T

his year’s annual Scottsdale Arabian Show proved once again that it is the “Greatest Horse Show on Earth.” No other show in our breed comes close the spectator attendance that the Scottsdale Show attracts every year. “What’s amazing to me about Scottsdale is the energy and enthusiasm that the show generates,” says judge Mitch Sperte. “The Scottsdale club does a better job than anybody else promoting the Arabian horse to the general public. Everyone in the community knows that there is an event of international significance going on.” First-time Scottsdale judge Elizabeth Shatner added, “It’s like a World’s Fair for Arabian horses.”

See Egyptian classes in the May issue.

See full results online.

Opposite: Champion Western Pleasure Holdin Aces (Arezzo NL x Hollygolitely DDF), owned by Joelle and Robert Wright, East Nassau, New York, and shown by Tommy Garland.

PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS

By Gary Dearth

Left: Champion English Pleasure Heirs Noble Love (Afires Heir x Noble Aphroditie), owned

by T Karlton Jackson, Atlanta, Georgia, and shown by Joel Kiesner.

The most exciting, and a little controversial, performance class at this year’s show was the finals of the Arabian Western Pleasure Championship held Saturday night in front of a full house. To the delight of thousands of spectators, the winner, after a hotly contested work off, was Holdin Aces (Arezzo NL x Hollygolitely DDF), masterfully shown by Tommy Garland for owner/breeders Joelle and Robert Wright. Reserve Champion honors went to last year’s U.S. 29 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b APRIL 2018

Right: Champion Park Horse Coltrane SS (IXL Noble Express x Brassmis), owned by Lori Conway, Chatfield, Minnesota, and shown by Joel Kiesner.

Bettom left: Unanimous Champion Country English Pleasure Junior Horse Affliction (Mamage x PSI Love U), owned by Amazing Horse Woman LLC, Montecito, California, and shown by Jim Lowe.

“I caught a little hell from people about how I called the class and the workout. I asked for everything that a horse should be able to do at that level of competition.”

— Judge Leo Hansen

National Champion Western Pleasure winner Monaco Jullyen V (*Jullyen El Jamaal x Misti Morn V) shown by Joe Reser for owner Shamrock Farms, LLC. Call judge Leo Hansen explained his rationale for the work off. “The western division was absolutely stellar. I have never seen that many western horses at one show who 30 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b APRIL 2018

were moving softly and travelling correctly.

It was impressive. Donnie Bullock, John Rannenberg and myself got together prior to the western final and agreed that if the horses were as good as they had been earlier in the week, we would hold a work off. And they were. I wrote down six numbers and handed them to the ringman, because the judges can’t speak to one another. All three of us had the same six horses on our list for the work off.”

Judge John Rannenberg explained, “My card didn’t change, but the work off gave me a chance to appreciate those six horses without

Left: Champion Country English Pleasure Oh Dancing On Heir (Afires Heir x DD My Dance), owned by Lindsay O’Reilly French, Springfield, Missouri, and shown by Lauren Grabski.

having to look at the whole class.”

One of the greatest challenges in the Arabian horse show world is successfully showing a western pleasure horse on Saturday night in the Scottsdale Equidome. The atmosphere is beyond electric. “We did lose a few horses,” says Rannenberg. “But that’s showbiz. But, for the most part, the horses stayed in frame, and it didn’t get out of hand.”

“Some of the trainers criticized how Leo called the class,” said Judge Bullock. “They didn’t like it being like a command class. A couple of the horses got discombobulated when the crowd started cheering, but I thought

Bettom right: Champion Arabian Mounted Native Costume JTR 18 and Under, English Show Hack 18 and Under Champion, and High Point Overall Performance Purebred Arabian Horse Champion SA Kappuccino (Bucharest V x SS Wildflower), owned by Pegasus Arabians, Berlin Heights, Ohio, and shown by Tristen Wikel, High Point Junior Exhibitor 15-18 Champion.

“He always has his tail up, trotting square, and cantering big. For me, he is the standout Arabian horse of the show. He could be an ambassador for the breed anywhere and anytime.”

— Judge David Mikosz

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Right: Scottsdale Signature Stallion Western Pleasure Futurity Champion and Champion Western Pleasure Junior Horse Jazzaa Aljassimya (WH Justice x Toscana PGA), owned by Aljassimya Farm, Santa Ynez, California, and shown by Tommy Garland.

Left: Champion Western Pleasure AAOTR 55 and Over and Champion Western Pleasure AATR 40-59 RD Habanero (Bey Ambition x NW Siena Psyche), owned by Silver Aspen Ranch, Auburn, Washington, and shown by Rod Powell.

“It didn’t matter whether it was outside in the wind or inside, he didn’t care. A phenomenal horse.” — Judge Debbie Reid

the class was beautiful. The trainers did a great job, even though I know some of them are unhappy about it.” Leo says, “I caught a little hell from people about how I called the class and the workout. I asked for everything that a horse should be able to do at that level of competition. They were absolutely stellar. The horsemanship was unbelievable. Any of the six in the workout could have been champion or reserve, and it wouldn’t have bothered me. I thought Tommy just flat outrode them all. I think it gave the western world a big shot in the arm. Within twenty minutes after that class, I had over a hundred people text me saying that it was the greatest western class they had ever seen and thank me for calling it like that. If you are going to show at Scottsdale on Saturday night at that level of competition, you better be ready. You know the energy in that building is going to be high. They put on a 32 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b APRIL 2018

Left: Champion Western Pleasure AATR 60 and Over Fames Gem (*Sir Fames HBV x Country Gem EA), owned by Equine Design LLC, Anaheim, California, and shown by Donald Bundrock.

great show.”

Following the Scottsdale show two years ago, I wrote an article about Heirs Noble Love (Afires Heir x Noble Aphroditie). I asserted that she is the greatest Arabian English Pleasure horse of all time. Since then, she has been named 2016 U.S. National Champion English Pleasure and 2017 U.S. National Champion Pleasure Driving.

Her performances at this year’s Scottsdale Show reconfirmed my belief in her lofty stature. “Once again, she has set the bar for English pleasure,” says Mitch Sperte. “She is thrilling to watch. And she appears as though it is so easy for her.” Brian Ferguson added, “She was even better than when I judged her at U.S. Nationals in 2016 when I made her National Champion. She was so fresh and happy — she looks like she’s having a ball.

She is a true pleasure horse. The way she can rotate her shoulder, and her fluid motion front and behind, along with her ability to maintain her form all the time, is unbelievable. She was spectacular in both the qualifying and the championship classes. Joel is sitting up there with the reins loose, and it looks like she is doing it all on her own.” David Mikosz added, “All the other horses were vying for second place.”

“It was so refreshing to see a legitimate park

Bottom: Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Junior Horse Aur Kinda Party (Kharismatic PGA x Sheza Loded Lady), owned by Sally Leonardini, Salinas, California, and shown by Brett Becker.

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Champion Arabian Western Pleasure Junior Horse and Scottsdale Signature Stallion Western Pleasure Maturity ATR Champion Onnesty (Onyx A x SDA Lady Jabask), owned by Janet Thompson, Park City, Utah, and shown by Lori-Kay Frye.

horse,” says Mitch Sperte of Coltrane SS (IXL Noble Express x Brassmis). “He was trotting off of all four corners and wearing his bridle well and pleasantly. I appreciated the fact that there was no question which division he belonged in. He wasn’t an over-ridden or hustled English pleasure horse. Watching how he goes about his business, I’ll bet by October he will be even better.

He doesn’t look like he is maxed out now.” That sentiment about Coltrane’s potential continued growth and improvement is shared by many. “Coltrane is a real park horse,” says Brian Ferguson. “He moves well off of both ends. He put on a show when he showed outside in Wendell arena. I am looking forward to seeing him in October. I know it is early in his career as a park horse, but we judges agreed among ourselves that by U.S. Nationals he might really be something special.”

Country English Pleasure Junior Horse was won by Affliction (Mamage x PSI Love U) shown by Jim Lowe for Amazing Horse Woman, LLC. “Affliction was outstanding in Country English Pleasure Junior Horse,” says Mitch Sperte. “He has such a commanding presence with great vertical carriage. I loved that he is a true country horse.” Joel Gangi agreed, adding, “He was an easy winner for me.”

“There was one horse who just got me,” says Elizabeth Shatner. “SA Kappuccino (Bucharest V x SS Wildflower).

He came into the ring so many times, and each time was unbelievable. I didn’t judge him all the time, but I always noticed him. Saturday night he carried the flag, and then he came back in and won the open costume championship with his youth rider! So that just thrilled me to no end. That guy, Kappuccino, he captured my heart.” In fact, SA Kappuccino was a one-horse 34 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b APRIL 2018

Right: Champion Scottsdale Signature Stallion Hunter Pleasure Futurity (3- and 4-yearolds) Royal Juell XX (SF Veraz x Beautiful Juell V), owned

by Melissa Becker, Middleton, Wisconsin, and shown by Wendy Potts.

Bottom: High Point Champion Adult Amateur Exhibitor 55 and Over, Katie Russell, on Lightning McQueen CRS (Mariachi WA x Jasperina).

show string. With Tristen Wikel, he was Champion in both open and JTR Costume, Champion in Show Hack JTR 18 and Under, and Reserve Champion in Country English Pleasure JOTR 14-18. With Tristen’s cousin, Bailey, SA Kappuccino was Reserve Champion in Native Costume ATR. The thirteen-year-old stallion was the High Point Arabian Horse for the show and helped Tristen Wikel win the

High Point Youth 14-18 award. He was also judge David Mikosz’s favorite horse of the show. “SA Kappuccino may have more heart than any other horse I have witnessed. He always has his tail up, trotting square, and cantering big. For me, he is the standout Arabian horse of the show. He could be an ambassador for the breed anywhere and anytime.”

The Wikel’s Pegasus Arabians was also the High Point Breeder of the Scottsdale Show. “The last time I judged Scottsdale I saw the Wikels showing in amateur halter, and they excelled,” says Debbie Cain. “This year, I watched them showing in performance. It warmed my heart to see a family so engaged and enjoying their horses. They are not only breeding good halter horses, but also exhibiting great performance horses.”

“I was very impressed with the depth of the Scottsdale Signature Stallion Performance Futurity classes in both the western and hunter pleasure,” says judge Van Jacobsen.

“The quality of the horses was exceptional. The horse that won the Western Pleasure Futurity, Jazzaa Aljassimya (WH Justice x Toscana PGA), is a very perky, nice-moving western horse. He showed a lot of softness in his way of going and was the kind of horse you’d want to ride.” Debbie Cain added, “The Scottsdale Signature Stallion Western Pleasure class was particularly deep. It shows that the program is really working. People are interested in showing in those prize money classes, and they are making sure that their horses are nominated. Those types of classes are sustaining the industry. They encourage breeding, and that is critical.”

The quality of the amateur western division was no less 35 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b APRIL 2018

2018 Scottsdale Signature Stallion Auction Results Top Ten Highest Selling Breedings 1.

QR Marc

2.

Al Ayal AA Hariry Al Shaqab RFI Farid

$8,000

Emerald J

$7,500

Exxalt SM Azraff

3.

$14,000

7.

Conquest

$5,500

$8,000

Kanz Albidayer

$5,500

$8,000

ROL Intencyty

$5,500

El Tino

$5,000

Halyr Meia Lua

$5,000

$7,500

Pershahn El Jamaal

$5,000

$7,500

Royal Asad

$5,000

8.

Vitorio TO

$7,500

9.

Cadence PA

$4,500

4.

KM Bugatti

$6,750

10.

Kahil Al Shaqab

$4,300

5.

Bey Ambition

$6,500

6.

Ever After NA

$6,000

Marajj

$6,000

sensational than the open. “Rod Powell’s horse, RD Habanero (Bey Ambition x NW Siena Psyche), was perfect,” says Debbie Reid. “They should have videoed him for the AHA Judge’s School. I’m telling you, I don’t know where you’re going to find a better amateur horse. For me, that was the stand-out horse of the show. He was just so on-the-money and was the whole package.

It didn’t matter whether it was outside in the wind or inside, he didn’t care. A

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Total Auction Sales:

$356,800

phenomenal horse.” Van Jacobsen was so impressed with one of RD Habanero’s classes that he couldn’t help but say something to his rider. “I don’t know how you could improve on his performances in the amateur classes. I commented to Rod in the lineup of one class, ‘Beautiful ride.’ I generally

Left: Champion Reining Horse and ARHA Maturity My Majec Moment (DA Napitov x Majestic Ancestry), shown by Skylar Powell, left, and Champion Reining Horse JTR 15-18, shown by Trentyn Powell, owned

by Silver Aspen Ranch, Auburn, Washington.

make a point of not doing that, but he knew it, you can’t have a ride like that without knowing it.” Fames Gem (*Sir Fames HBV x Country Gem EA) shown by Don Bundrock and owned by Equine Design, LLC, was a favorite of Debbie Cain.

“The gentleman who won the AATR 60 and Over Western Pleasure Championship had one memorable class after another,” says Debbie.

Who would have thought that the most exciting performance class of the 2018 Scottsdale Show would be in the western pleasure division? “That might go down as a legendary class in any breed,” says Elizabeth Shatner. “The energy of the house that night was unbelievable!” And she comes from the American Saddlebred world. “That Arabian Western Pleasure Championship highlighted why the Arabian horse is a phenomenal western pleasure horse,” says Donnie Bullock.

“I’ve been reading some of what has been posted on social media where we’re being complimented by Quarter Horse exhibitors saying, ‘Now that’s how a horse should hand gallop, and that’s how a horse should lope.’ I was proud of the fact that those horses could go to a hand gallop from a halt and from the hand gallop right back to a lope ... and they just all did it beautifully.”

The Scottsdale Show always kicks off the show year, and this year’s edition was one of the best attended and most exciting ever held. “We were walking around between classes, and the place was buzzing,” says Brian Ferguson. “I thought to myself, that is the way all horse shows should be.” The 63rd Annual Scottsdale Arabian Show lived up to its billing as the “Greatest Horse Show on Earth.”

Bottom: TA Glacier (*Kordelas x *Gloria AHSB), owned and shown by Liz Dagnall, Canyon Creek, Montana, was a busy boy at Scottsdale. He won Champion Reining Horse Limited Non-Pro AAOTR, Champion Working Cow Horse ATR, Champion Reined Cow Horse ATR, Reserve Champion Reining Horse Primetime Non-Pro AAOTR, Reserve Champion Dressage Second Level ATR Test 3, and Reserve Champion Reining Horse AATR 60 and Over.

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