| |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Spotlight On The Breed: Arabian Sport Horse |
|
| |
by M. Y. Mim |
|
| |
"The horse is an archetypal symbol which will always find ways to stir up deep and moving ancestral memories in every human being," from the Foreword to The Horse in Art, by John Baskett, Little, Brown 1980.
|
| |
This seems especially true of the Arabian breed. Arabs bring to mind classic beauty, romantic desert rides, endurance, grace and athleticism. In many cultures, the Arabian horse suggests a mythical connection. The Bedouins say, "And God took a handful of Southerly wind, blew his breath over it, and created the horse". |
| |
The only difference between an Arabian horse and an Arabian Sport Horse is how the Arabian horse is used. |
| |
Dawn Jones-Low of Faerie Court Farms in Vermont, explains: |
| |
 |
Photo by Dawn Jones-Low©, Faerie Court Farm, Magical Arabian Sport Horses |
| |
 |
Photo courtesy of
Cerridyn Arabian Sporthorses. |
|
|
Well, an Arabian Sport Horse IS still an Arabian Horse! A sport horse is a horse of any breed that shows aptitude for - or better yet is trained in - any of the sport horse disciplines, particularly beyond the basic levels. An Arabian Sport Horse is therefore an Arabian or part-Arabian that has the structure, movement, athletic ability, and temperament to be trained as a dressage horse, a show jumper, an eventer, for combined driving, or as a show hunter." |
| |
"While the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals is only a few years old, Arabians and part-Arabians have been used at all levels of open sport horse competition since their inception. Natural talent is only the start of what makes a sport horse." |
| |
"The characteristics of a sport horse actually are within the official breed standard. The well-sprung ribs, the laid back shoulder, the structure of the legs, the long hip, the short back, the well-set neck; all are |
|
characteristics of both the definition of a sport horse and of the Arabian breed standard. Some people actually argue that the sport type Arabians are closer to the written breed standard than many of the highly refined, very exotic contemporary halter horses.
|
| |
"In my opinion, what separates Arabian sport horses from other sport horses is their wonderful dispositions. They are quick to learn, and want to please their rider. Their responsiveness and willingness make them a pleasure to train and ride. Their smaller size also makes them 'handier' to ride than the 17H horses." |
| |
Arabian horse owners are fanatic about their favorite breed. Diane Jones of Windt im Wald Farm, located in Geauga County, Northeast Ohio, said she couldn't get through life without them.
|
| |
 |
Erica Morgan and Anthem of Mt. Pleasant Stallion Station
Photo by Rob Hess, courtesy of Mt. Pleasant Stallion Station |
|
| |
"Arabians, as we know them and have bred them, demonstrate heart, willingness, loyalty and endurance. They demand human respect, and when they get it, they'll give 100% of their own. Arabians just go on and on [for you]." |
| |
While Arabians are considered a purebred breed, different types of Arabians exist, including Egyptian Arabs, the Russian and Polish types, Anglo-Arabs and others.
|
| |
Pecos Valley Arabians, owned by the Deane family, breed and live in a very natural environment on 150 acres overlooking the peaceful Pecos Valley, New Mexico. These horses have pedigrees of some of the most precious breeding of Poland and Tersk of Russia. |
| |
"We linebreed to the Triple Crown Winner Topol in combination with Pietuzok and are producing beautiful athletes with the structure and movement to be very successful in racing, endurance riding, dressage and English and Western disciplines," say the Deanes.
|
| |
 |
Ghazni of Pecos Valley Arabians
Photo by Gary Derth, courtesy of Pecos Valley Arabians |
|
| |
Further West near San Diego, California, Cerridwyn Arabian Sporthorses started their breeding program with an Arabian of the old Original Warhorse type that would cross well with warmbloods. |
| |
In Sporthorses, the breed takes second place to the qualities necessary to perform well in each sport. Arabians tend to possess these traits naturally. And, just as naturally, Arabs tend to be highly popular, with one out of ten horse owners owning an Arab. |
| |
Elizabeth Salmon, a highly respected equine consultant, equine journalist, and frequent judge, explains well how Arabian Sort Horses are used in the sporting competitions. |
| |
 |
Stanley Ranch Arabians at the Santa Ynez Race Meet
Photo Courtesy of Stanley Ranch Spanish Arabians |
|
| |
"The Arabian Sport Horse performance classes are held just like a normal under saddle class, entering the ring counterclockwise," writes Elizabeth. "They are to be shown at the walk, trot, canter and hand gallop both ways of the ring and to stand quietly and back readily. The judging criteria is on performance, manners, conformation, quality and suitability as a working Sport Horse. Each gait being considered and judged equally. Riders wear dressage or hunt attire. They have now added Sport Horse Show Hack. I doubt that the Sport Horse in Hand classes will ever reach the same status as the regular Halter Classes, but the enjoyment and satisfaction to the owners will more than make up for that. It would be really wonderful to see these classes take off, filling a much needed gap for those who want a fair and unbiased opinion of their horses."
|
| |
Whatever sport interests you, consider an Arabian to fulfill your competition dreams. |
| |
 |
Photo by Dawn Jones-Low©
Faerie Court Farm, Magical Arabian Sport Horses
|
|
| |
| |
Sources: Baskett, John, The Horse in Art , Little, Brown 1980. Cerridyn Arabian Sport Horses, http://www.arabsporthorses.com; Faerie Court Farm, www.faeriecourtfarm.com; Pecos Valley Arabians, www.arabhorse.com/pecosvalley; Mt. Pleasant Stallion Station, www.mtpleasantstallionstation.com; Stanley Ranch Spanish Arabians, www.stanleyranch.com; Salmon, Elizabeth, Equine Consultant, www.lizsalmon.com; Wikipedia; Windt im Wald Farm, Geauga County, Northeast Ohio, http://www.wiwfarm.com.
|
| |
| |
About the Author: M. Y. Mim is a free-lance journalist based in Santa Barbara, Ca. She may be reached at mymim3@cox.net, or through her agent R. Almqvist, 805-705-5349. The Author wishes to thank Mr. R. Almqvist for his invaluable assistance in making this article possible. |
| |
| |
Read comments or post your own comments to this article at the bottom of this page. |
| |
| |
Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved. The above article is the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in any way without permission. |
| |
| |
 |
| |
Reader comments for this article |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
