Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I get asked all the time at shows if Speedy is an Arabian. When I first started getting that question, it baffled me. I mean look at him ... doesn't he look like an Arab to you? Way back in the beginning, when I moved from endurance to dressage, no one ever asked if Speedy was an Arabian. It was pretty obvious. There are a lot of different Arabian types. There are the super "dishy" Arabs with over-exaggerated features which stand in sharp contrast to the coarser Arabs who don't have the finer features of the classically bred Arabians. And then there are horses like Speedy. He's my favorite type, and I've had three others just like him. He is stamped with the elegance of the Arabian horse's finer features, but he has the solid bone structure that allows him to be a working horse. Now when people ask me if Speedy is an Arabian, I know why. He doesn't look like the Arabs they're used to seeing - the prancing gazelles of the horse world. He also doesn't act like the Arabs they're used to seeing - flared nostrils, eyes wide, tails flipped over the back ... At home though, Speedy can let his freak flag fly. In his own turnout space, he loves to show off and remind me that he is all Arab ... flared nostrils, eyes wide, and tail flipped over his back. All Arabian ... I knew you'd have to see it to believe it.
Carly
11/20/2015 05:57:42 am
He is such a gorgeous, hunky dude. 11/20/2015 04:29:16 pm
Aw ... thanks, Carly. I don't expect everyone to look through rose colored glasses like I do, but thanks for wearing yours today. :0)
jenj
11/20/2015 06:47:28 am
That lovely face of his just screams Arabian to me. He's such a handsome guy! 11/20/2015 04:30:45 pm
He's more dorky than handsome, but he does have his moments. Don't tell him that though or he'll be an even bigger PITA than he already is. :0)
Karen
11/20/2015 06:48:46 am
Speedy is a beefcake! 11/20/2015 04:36:03 pm
Thanks. :0)
Judy
11/20/2015 07:21:31 am
I love me some Speedy G! 11/20/2015 04:39:12 pm
He IS a goof - thanks for noticing. I adore goofy horses because they're so much fun to be around. :0) Lol! I see a ton of Arabs on our show circuit (they whomp everyone btw, I hate competing against them), and Speedy is looking just like them! I'll be taking Penn to the Pennsylvania Arabian Association's two recognized dressage shows next year (they are open to all breeds, yay!). Out of curiosity, what is a Polish Arabian vs Egyptian Arabian? Is it the fine features vs coarse?
Karen
11/20/2015 11:49:00 am
Polish vs Egyptian refers to where the breeding lines originally came from. Straight Egyptian is considered the most pure breeding lines and the lineage can be traced back to the Bedouins in the desert. Straight Egyptian horses tend to be smaller. They can have a range of head types but most tend to lean toward exotic with a defined dish. Large eyes, small muzzle with large nostrils, small elegant ears. Neck and back should not be too long. Polish Arabians in general are bigger horses for the breed (meaning taller and heavier). They are exceptionally gifted for Park and performance because they can have very high animated action when they move. 11/20/2015 04:51:17 pm
I think Karen answered the question pretty well. :0)
Very interesting about the different Arabian lineages! If I can continue asking questions... What's the /++ (and variations) mean after the names? I see it all the time at the recognized shows. There's usually breed awards at the shows I go to, and the Arab list usually has at least ten names! 11/22/2015 05:52:49 pm
Easy question, Jan! The symbols are part of a performance award offered by AHA. As your horse earns various placing at shows (dressage, hunters, endurance, etc.) they earn "points" towards the //// and +++++. "Legion of Honor," the first one, requires 75 points and earns a "+" after the horse's name.
lytha
11/21/2015 03:09:50 am
The reason they aren't sure of his breed is cuz you banged his tail. I told you not to do that.: )
For those of us that haven't been around Arabians very much, I think sometimes we have the classical look in our mind. And while Speedy certainly has many of those lovely features, he's gained so much muscle (especially in his hind end!) that he's more sporthorse looking than classical, petite Arabian. 11/30/2015 04:38:30 pm
I am never offended when people roll their eyes when I say I have an Arab. When they're dismissive of the breed, I know they haven't had much experience with the better examples of the breed. Not that Speedy is a "perfect" specimen by any means, but he is a good ambassador for his breed. I am honored when people look at him and are pleasantly surprised by his ho hum attitude and hunky good looks. He's not unique to his breed - maybe he'll change someone's mind about the versatility of Arabians. :0) Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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