We are celebrating the Adaptable Arabian as our September Breed of the Month on YourDressage!
Did you know that dressage riders who partner with a member of this ancient breed are eligible for special awards through the Adequan®/USDF All-Breeds Awards program, as the Arabian Horse Association is a participating organization?
In this story, a rider from Region 7 tells us about the $500 Arabian horse she brought from a young horse with potential to a decorated Grand Prix competitor.
By Maddy Kent
I started out riding my first rated dressage shows on a lovely Arabian as a little kid, so I have always had a soft spot for the breed. However, back then, I had no idea how much they would shape my riding, career, and life.
My current Arabian, Major Shai (Major Afire x Simeon Shai), is a 2010 Arabian gelding who has been with me for the last eleven years, and is now successfully showing Grand Prix. In 2014, I was fresh out of college, looking for jobs, contemplating going to graduate school, and wondering what to do with my life in general. I had the bright idea that I would buy a project horse to put some good training on, turn around, and sell. My requirements were sane, close by, and inexpensive. After some digging, I came across a cute little Arabian, four years old, and unstarted. I asked for some videos, and was extremely impressed with his movement, passaging around like a Grand Prix horse already! And they were only asking $1000! I had to go look.
When I first met “Amir,” as he’s known around the barn, it was love at first sight. He was so shy and scrawny-looking, but sweet and sensible. His story was a sad one. His owner had sent him to this trainer to get started, but about a month in, her husband died, and she could no longer afford his training or his upkeep. So, he was dumped on the trainer. They cared for him as best they could, but at the end of the day, he was just a horse costing them time and money.
He went to a few Arabian shows, and he was bred to be a halter horse. But the trainer explained to me that he was “not pretty enough” to make it in the Arabian world, so he needed to be sold – fast. I left feeling sad for him, but really wanted to think it over. Not long after, I got an email from the trainer saying that, for $500, he’s yours. So, I said yes, pulled from my rent money, and just like that, he was mine!
I had never started a horse by myself before, but I watched enough, and I knew what I wanted to happen. Thankfully, Amir was a model student, and we were off and running very quickly. The first time I cantered him and I felt that natural balance and rhythm, I thought to myself, “This is my next Grand Prix horse!” So much for my project. I took him to a few clinics very early to make sure I was on the right track and get some guidance on my new adventure. Luckily, I have some great people in my corner who saw the same potential in him as I did, and they encouraged me.
Over the years, though, I have run into a few people who wouldn’t give him the time of day because he was an Arabian. He has become sort of a test for me when I ride with new clinicians. Some are very impressed with his movement and ability, some don’t care and just teach what they see, and a few aren’t impressed with him, no matter what we do. It gives me some insight into their philosophy and whether or not this is someone who really understands the sport, and someone I want to continue working with. At its core, dressage is about correct training to improve any horse, not just fancy warmbloods.
As lovely and talented as he is, it has not always been smooth sailing with Amir. He is an Arabian after all, and he comes with all the quirks and all the opinions, which sometimes come out in the show ring. But I’ve always told myself it’s Grand Prix or bust with him. He’s probably the smartest horse I’ve ever worked with, which is good and bad. He picks up things very quickly, which is great for training, but he also learned quickly in the show ring. I can’t get after him too much. The flying changes took him a while to understand – and I mean years – but now he’s a change machine, knocking out the one-tempis no problem! Unlike most Arabians, he is quite lazy, and is not heat-tolerant at all. He cribs, likely a habit from the long months he spent in a box stall before I got him. Speaking of, he cannot stand being in a stall where he can’t put his head out, he has to be blanketed a certain way, and he absolutely loves torturing new people. He always keeps me on my toes!
Training Amir from a baby to the Grand Prix hasn’t been too much different from any other horse. He has lovely conformation for the upper-level work, and the collected work comes naturally to him. He is so smart and solid-minded; he never gets flustered. Getting him to put out 100% effort is more of a challenge with him, being on the lazy side and quite crafty about getting out of it. After some discussion, he always does it beautifully. He has made me a better rider and trainer, too, being quite a sensitive little guy. Finding the perfect saddle for him took some trial and error, and the footing has to be just right. I’ve also learned so much from him on the everyday management side, too, everything from finding the right diet to minimize his cribbing, to developing a body work program that keeps him feeling his best.
The most fun part with him is taking him out to shows and clinics. He absolutely loves meeting new people and is sure every single person he walks by would like to stop and tell him how handsome he is. He is usually right! Riding an Arabian, especially at the higher levels, has been a big boost for my career because he stands out so much. There are a million fancy warmbloods out there, but only one Amir. People recognize me because of him. I often hear “You ride the Arabian!” or people want to meet “THE Arabian.” It is always an honor to see how many people love to follow us.
A lot of people are impressed to see him out at that level, but to me, he’s just my special guy. People often say I should take him to some Arabian shows and clean up, and maybe someday I will, but to me, it has been much more meaningful to compete him on the open circuit and prove he can hold his own there. It has really allowed me to showcase my training as a dressage trainer, not just an Arabian trainer. He’s won several USDF All-Breed Awards through the levels, most recently in the Intermediate II. This season, we had a high score of 63.8% in the Grand Prix, which I was quite happy with despite some “Arabian mistakes,” as I like to call them, but luckily, this judge thought he was very charming. My favorite comment I have ever gotten with him was, “Cute as a button, has a lot of opinions,” which is 100% accurate. Next season, I want to do a Grand Prix Freestyle with him!
I highly encourage anyone with an Arabian, or any non-traditional breed for that matter, to not be afraid to get out and do dressage with them. Arabians are so smart and athletic; it comes very naturally to them. Of course, they have their quirks to figure out, but if you have patience and listen to them, you will be able to work through them. As with any horse, there will be moments where you get stuck in the training, but I will always say not to give up. What are they trying to tell you, or what adjustments could you make? There have been a few judges over the years who have looked down on him for being an Arabian, and some who I know I will have to give a really perfect test, since there is so little room for error. I appreciate the ones who see his talent, and the others only make me a better trainer.
Overall, it’s been incredibly rewarding to train him up to the Grand Prix, and really show off what my little one in a million, diamond in the rough, can do! I hope his story encourages others to believe in their Arabians, too.
