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 heartfelt read, a rider from Region 8 shares how she found her dancing partner in an orphaned Anglo Arabian foal who grew into a magnificent teammate.
By Karen Obarowski
Siris is a twelve-year-old Anglo Arabian who has been lovingly owned by Kathy Young since he was six months old. Siris came into this world as an orphan foal, and when Kathy adopted him, he needed bottle feedings and a patient introduction to life. Siris has strong opinions and a strong sense of self-preservation. He proved challenging to work with at times, but Kathy patiently went through the process of starting him under saddle and furthering their partnership.
Siris made his introduction to dressage when Kathy brought him into training with Kevin Hadfield. At this time, Siris was still quite fresh, but Kevin’s patient, clear, and effective approach was complemented by his incredible talent for training horses both on the ground and under saddle. Siris was learning how to use his body in a positive way, find balance, and discover joy in this work.
I met Siris in the summer of 2023. I had just retired my horse from his riding career, and had not found my next dance partner just yet. It had been thirteen years since I had ridden down centerline at a rated show, and I – more than anything – yearned to be back in the ring. Kevin and Kathy generously offered me the opportunity to pilot Siris in his first-ever competition season in 2024. Without much thought, I enthusiastically accepted. I couldn’t wait!
Kevin was very transparent about the challenge that lay ahead of me. I remember him saying, “I don’t know what he’s going to do. It could not go well, but I believe in this horse, and I think you can do it.” Challenge accepted.
I spent the rest of 2023 and the winter season doing everything I could to prepare Siris and myself for what would lie ahead. I remember in the beginning feeling like I could barely canter. Some days, just leading him on the ground was a challenge. He was quite spooky, reactive, and hesitant to let me into his world. I worked hard to learn as much as I could from Kevin, and take every opportunity to progress my own riding and horsemanship skills. I learned about body awareness on the ground and became more in tune with what I was telling Siris with my own posturing. I took lunging lessons and focused on my biomechanics in the saddle.
In parallel, I did everything I could to build a bond with Siris. There were ups and downs, but slow progress is still progress. Soon, I felt a shift. He softened to me where he was once standoffish, started answering questions under saddle instead of getting frustrated and shutting down. His eye softened, and his world opened to me. I felt I had made it. The inner circle!
Siris was quite enthusiastic at his first couple of outings but proved to be a true showman. I remember the feeling he gave me when we entered our first show arena (it was actually a dressage seat equitation class, which was the perfect start for a newbie show horse!). I felt him grow a few inches, and if horses could puff out their chest, he was doing it! He was so proud and, most importantly, happy to be there. This trajectory continued, and he ended his first season by competing in the 2024 Great American/USDF Region 8 Championships at Training Level, First Level, First Level Freestyle, and Dressage Seat Equitation. The cherry on top was a third-place finish at Training Level in New England Dressage Association’s 2024 year-end award standings with a median score of 70%.
This year, Siris built on everything we accomplished last year, and entered to compete in the 2025 USDF Region 8 Championships at First Level, First Level Freestyle, and Second Level. At home, he is well-started on his flying changes (which he learned in a matter of weeks this summer!), and has a real talent for collected work. I couldn’t be prouder of him, and I truly believe that this horse can do anything he sets his mind to.
Siris has taught me an impressive amount in our short time together. He’s taught me when to be patient and when to stand my ground. He’s taught me how to be a better listener and a more agile rider. He’s challenging at times, and that has resulted in an array of new tools in my toolbox. I know that every horse I work with from here on forward will benefit from what Siris has taught me. I am incredibly grateful to Kathy, Kevin, and Siris for this opportunity. Siris may have come into the world an orphan, but he has certainly found his forever family now.
