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Please Reply to: Mary Golden dargonflyfarms@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or 
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Hey all!  My computer refuses to send out email, so here I am under "guest".

I've been reading the thread on the "changing of the Arab" quite earnestly, 
because, I, too, have the same sentiments of you all.  Even thought I have 1 
distance Arab and several more who are either destined to show (working hunter) 
or just for pleasure, I how much AHA would listen to all of us.

I guess I am just a tad discouraged because, at the prompting of several people 
who regularly show AHA, I was urged to pitch an article (or even a blurb) to 
the AHA member magazine about the  Purebred Arab pony we have here that we 
rescued and has subsequently become a breed ambassador to school for kids to 1) 
meet what a "real Arabian horse" looks and acts like and also to 2) tell kids 
why it is important to take care of their animals.  My daughter (who is now 4 
as of Tuesday) thinks the world of her not-so-pretty, abused Arabian and the 
horse is ever so kind and gentle and patient.  When I wrote the gal in charge 
of the features section, I mentioned all these wonderful qualities and how it 
would behoove the Arabian community to not focus so much on the glitz, money 
and glamor of the showring and, perhaps, to see that the Arabian is so much 
more.  Now, note, I have been paid in the past to write things such as books, 
articles and the like, so it wasn't an unprofessional letter.

Well, in a nutshell, I was basically told that the AHA magazine devotes sooo 
much to non-showing endeavors as it was (which I didn't think they did), and, 
that while they were sure our little Arab was quite nice, they had their fill 
of "non-showing articles and blurbs."

So how much fuss is needed to make a change?  I absolutely hate what the breed 
has become and how is is portrayed in the Arab magazines and perceived by 
people.  I own 5 Arabians and all of them are stunning examples of what they 
*really are*.  Some are Straight Egyptian, some are strictly halter lineage, 
some are performance horse and, well, the Arab pony is just an all-around love. 
My little breed ambassadors go out and meet and greet everywhere they go and 
are slowly changing the perception of the Arab (at least in my area).

And speaking of being a breed ambassador farm -- I signed up, too.  We have no 
interest in breeding or selling.  We just want to share our love for Arabians 
and help people find good appropriate ones, should they choose to do so.  We 
have never been matched up, either.  It seems that the farms they also showcase 
in the AHA member mag. are also the ones that "sold me my first horse" (as the 
"interviewed person" just happens to say).

Enough babbling ---
mary



===========================================================In my experience (22 
year worth) most endurance riders are great people who
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~  Laura Hayes

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