IAHA Arabian Horse

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

If you're not a member of IAHA, worth your time to scare up this months
issue and read the article by Patti Schofler on Bazy Tankersley and
Al-Marah Arabians. (Actually, it's part II)

Bazy says:

"Endurance is the most important discipline because it's the one in
which our breed excels over all breeds.  I'm sorry to see so many
international rides held on flat ground where they become horse races
instead of requiring the more athletic horses that climbing mountains
requires.  The Tevis and Old Dominion have the kind of course that
should be run by endurance horses." 

Hmmmm....Obviously she doesn't know about the Leatherwoood Extreme
Callenge 50....yet!

.."for all the years I've bred, I've wanted it all...I've wanted
competitive and endurance horses that were so pretty...they could win at
halter."

In the article there is a picture of Dreamazon that will put your heart
in your throat...all it needs is a purty little blond girl holding the
lead line!  Check out the EYES!  ....and his get ain't just purty faces.

Sigh!  Wish I could afford one of her horses!

"You want level croups in in Jersey cows because it puts the udders in a
better place.  In the horse, I want hind legs under the horse so it can
stop smoothly and spin easily and drive forward. So I like a kind of
rounded butt..."

Hmmm...sounds like the women I like... <grin>

As an aside....

There was an earlier discussion on Ridecamp regarding the low completion
rate at international rides.  Leatherwood had a low completion
rate....12 out of 21. This was an EXTREMLY tough ride.  However, there
were no horses in trouble and no major problems.  Although trailers were
available at key points, no one used them.  The vets, which included Ken
Marcella and Todd Burdick were excellent.  Most of the riders were
experienced and had done at least one 50. (A poll at the ride meeting
indicated there were no new riders in the 50)  The riders who FINISHED
were very experienced, riding horses that they knew well.  I think this
is a key point and is why I will NOT ride a horse other than my own in a
difficult ride.  For example, I will not borrow a horse just to do
Tevis. If I can't get my horse out there, I will mever do that ride. 
IMHO, many of the problems with "overriding" are because the rider
simply did not KNOW the horse well enough to recognize the very subtle
indications that are all a horse has to tell you he's having a problem.
As one of Teddy's bumper "snickers" says, "In order to finish first, you
first have to finish". 

Know yourself and know your horse.  Move up slowly as you learn how to
pace and how to evaluate your horse.  You can do exceptionally well on
an average horse...or you can crash and burn on a good horse. It's not a
discipline you can "learn" easily...which is what makes it so
challenging! It's mostly "Time in the Saddle". 

Jim and Sun of Dimanche