Dipping My Toes In The Arabian Waters at Buckeye
My horizons in the equestrian world continue to expand; tomorrow I’m off to Columbus for the day to attend the Buckeye Sweepstakes Arabian Horse Show! And even better, I’m going to get to tag along behind the scenes with the folks from Freedom Farm, including trainer Bill Rodgers, rider Raegan Knotts, and several of their Arabians and National Show Horses (which I know includes at least one national champion).
With several trips to Freedom Farm over the last few months, I’ve started to learn a little bit about the Arabian world. This breed association offers competition of all types, including a plethora of English styles, western pleasure, side saddle, reining, driving, halter, and I’m sure more I’ve yet to discover.
I have plans to profile the various disciplines, particularly the differences between the English styles which include Park, Country, English, and Hunter (hint: each one requires a different type of movement). I’m going to hold off until after tomorrow when I get to see all of it first-hand, though.
Considering the Arabian Horse Association is the largest breed organization in the US behind the AQHA, it’s about time I got a little more up to speed on this gorgeous horse.
Do you have experience riding and showing Arabian horses? If so, what are some of the key things us newbies need to know about your breed? And if you don’t what burning questions do you have that I can try to get answered while I’m at the Buckeye tomorrow?
For today, I leave you with this video of the retirement ceremony for Aequus, who is the all-time winning-est Arabian Park horse. Very cool tradition! (And I’ll let you in on a few secrets: I’ve met Aequus personally since he’s a Freedom Farms horse! And – Aequus and Bill Rodgers will be carrying the American flag for the opening ceremonies at WEG! More on that to come…)
What a great post! I had no idea there was so much diversity within the Arabian world. I can’t wait to learn more from your behind-the-scenes experiences. When I was eventing as a Young Rider in Area II I rode a 15.2 Anglo Arabian who was the bee’s knees. He was a super eventer and a super friend and could run circles around any thoroughbred (and never get out of breath!). A lot of people stereotype Arabians as flighty but he, at least, wasn’t in the slightest. Thanks for expanding my horizons too!
You should have a blast at Buckeye! Some things you might want to know…
Arabians are very people oriented and some would rather be with their ‘people’ than with other horses. Personally, I love the sweet and easy to handle nature of a well trained Arabian. IMHO the best Arabs have a sweet, docile demeanor on the ground and are a little ‘snorty’, but controllable under saddle.
I also think you will enjoy the diversity of events at Arabian shows.
some, like Buckeye are a week long. Many are 3-4 days with classes from 8:00 AM to midnight, often in multiple arenas. One catch phrase is that if you can do it on a horse, you can do it on an Arabian!
There are not as many horses competing in multiple diciplines any more, but you will sometimes see the same horse in hunter and possibly western and also the same horse ridden by the trainer, adult amateur and then a junior rider.
Have a great time!