One More Thing About the Show

7/31/2014

I am pretty hard on myself. I am certain you are sick of hearing that line, but it continues to be true. I have a much easier time giving my horses the credit they deserve. So please, join me in giving Speedy G a round of applause. He was an absolute rock star at the show.

It makes showing so much easier when you can just walk away from your horse and know that he is perfectly content to stand at the trailer for the next twelve hours if needed. I hung his hay bag and a bucket of water and he just stood there, waiting patiently for me to tell him what was next.

Awkward photo!

Not only is he good tied at the trailer, but he is always a favorite of the volunteers and spectators. He loves everybody and is confident that they love him right back. He reaches his muzzle out to anyone who passes by and invariably cons them out of a scratch or a pat on his neck. There is just something about this horse that people are drawn to. He reminds everyone of their own special mounts.

He adores standing around the ring watching other horses do their thing. He greets every pony that walks by with a friendly look and does his best to sidle up next to anyone who will have him. He never sneers or pins his ears at any of the other horses, and he quickly forgives those who might not greet him as warmly.

We always get lots of compliments, those people should see what a stinker he is at home, but lately, we're getting praise of a different sort. Usually people admire his clean and silky coat or his cute expression. But recently, we've received some very nice comments pertaining to his physique and conformation.

Several people stopped to admire his very solid rear end, he's really purebred? (I hear that a lot.) Others approved of his nicely arched neck and muscled shoulders. I heard several comments about his development being very unusual for an Arabian. I was told that most Arabians have very petite necks and backs and butts. Petite being used as a euphemism for ewe-necked and hollow backed.

I don't take this as an affront to the Arabian breed at all. Instead, I take these comments to mean that people can appreciate that his breeder, Feather Arabians, bred for correct build and movement rather than fashion. They also recognize the results of good, correct training (thanks to the many people who are helping me: JL, Chemaine Hurtado, and Dr. Christian Schacht).

This isn't a sales add, Speedy G is definitely not for sale. I just wanted to share how tremendously proud I am of the horse he's matured into.

G Ima Starr FA (aka Speedy G) as a gangly three-year old!

Genny link

7/31/2014 12:12:23 am

He's gorgeous, and I love seeing the recent show photo right by the 3 yr old photo. So much growth and strength!

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/31/2014 02:36:37 am

That's really kind of you to say, Genny. I am amazed at how different he looks too, but Speedy is 10 now so he has certainly outgrown his baby days. :0)

Austen link

7/31/2014 12:24:54 am

My barn owner breeds Shagya Arabs and Shagya/Dutch Warmblood crosses. They are certainly very different from the more weedy Egyptian style Arabs that are around, but instead remind me a lot of the "old style" Arab I remember riding a lot as a kid. The ones that often got mistaken for big Welsh ponies. You know the type ... I loved those guys. :)

In Indiana, we have quite a few purebred Arabs on the dressage circuit. Many of them are substantial and have pretty nice movement, though honestly it's their brains and desire to please that usually impress me more. I often wonder if the dressage work makes every horse look more impressive, with all the muscling and everything.

7/31/2014 12:25:34 am

Also, what a transition for Speedy over the last few years. Wow!!

7/31/2014 02:47:34 am

Equus has been running a very interesting series on the Arabian horse. You've probably seen it. I have never been a fan of the over-exagerated "Arabian." I think the warped dish and overly curved ears are like caricatures of something far more beautiful.

All four of the Arabs that I've owned have been quite pretty, but they've also been more of the old style (plainer) Arab. Speedy is definitely a good example of the type of Arab that I like: intelligent, attractive, athletic, and tractable. If I ever get the chance to choose again, I would be very interested in a warmblood/Arabian cross. I think that might produce a very nice horse.

And yes! How could dressage not improve any horse? Would Speedy look like this if he were still doing endurance? Probably not, but check out the photo of my mare Montoya (http://www.bakersfielddressage.com/montoya-dsa.html) - the one where I have a tie dye t-shirt on. She has the rangy look of most endurance horses, but she knew how to use body correctly. Had I also ridden her dressage, she would have been a real stunner! :0)

7/31/2014 10:11:26 pm

I love your Montoya. She was just a gorgeous horse, no matter what. :) Here's a link to a photo of one of those Shagya/Dutch horses. It's not a great photo, but she's a really nice horse. http://bit.ly/1nRHpmO

8/1/2014 04:23:58 am

Aw … thanks! And what a lovely horse - very elegant, but with some substance to her. What I would hope to get from a warmblood/Arab cross would be brains with attitude combined with more substance and natural ability. The warmbloods just seem to have the right uphill build and strength in the hindquarters. The Arabs contribute elegance, intelligence, hardiness, and certainly stamina. :0)

lytha

7/31/2014 12:41:56 am

I should have said this before, but you did give him a carrot overdose afterwards right?: ) I'm his biggest European fan. If only I could sit you down on my couch and show you the VHS tape of me and Baasha doing our training level class and getting the blue ribbon that day. You would say, "Hey, SPEEDY!" But Baasha didn't have quite the curves, and no pink nose. Personality wise, yes, he expected love from everyone, even vets. Everyone was his new best friend. I'm so glad you can have this much fun with Speedy. Trustworthy, a sweetheart, and that he loves his job is something we all hope for.

7/31/2014 02:50:25 am

There's nothing like the Arabs, is there, Lytha? They are something else. Look how many people have them for a lifetime; they just become part of you. Baasha was certainly an example of that. Those Bedouins knew what they were doing. :0)

8/3/2014 01:14:29 am

In reading this thread again I saw you mentioned Warmblood/Arab cross. There was a time when I shunned mixing, but then I learned to appreciate the Quarab.

And now I have a Warmblood/Arab cross. Isn't that odd. I will let you interpret this madness:

Her mother was Arab, her father half, with this other half:

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/astek

Why would someone do this?

But there are moments when she's specifically not Arabian, and I thank her checkered past.

8/7/2014 04:59:53 am

I am not sure I understand the question, Lytha. Do you mean why would someone breed a purebred to a half Arab? If so, someone must have liked the stallion and thought he would cross well with a purebred.

I definitely see the benefits of crossing an Aran with other breeds. Most people who do this feel that the Arab blood improves what they're breeding to. They might also like the refinement that an Arab cross might yield.

Don't get me wrong, I love my purebreds (I've had four now), but I can definitely see how an Arab cross could produce a lovely, athletic, intelligent, and beautiful baby. :0)

Sarah link

7/31/2014 02:30:46 am

I'm catching up on your posts from being away for a few days. =)
1. Happy anniversary! LOVE that wedding pic, and sounds like an awesome Vegas getaway.
2. Awesome trail ride - sounds like lots of fun and I'm jealous of your river.
3. Great job at the show. The scores, and even more the photos, show such an incredible amount of improvement. Glad you had fun and are able to ride more in the moment during tests. =)

7/31/2014 02:51:32 am

Thanks, Sarah! Glad you had a good time away!

Mia link

7/31/2014 03:16:41 am

Sppedy looks so sleek and powerful!
I love seeing how dressage shapes a horse. It changes the overall look. Makes them move differently (in a good way). I'm always a little in awe of what dressage does for the horse.

7/31/2014 09:30:24 am

Me too, mia! And thanks. I am not sure Speedy qualifies as sleek and powerful though. He thinks he's more of a Rico Suave! :0)

Lauren link

7/31/2014 04:49:15 am

I certainly am a big Speedy fan!

7/31/2014 09:31:07 am

Aw … thanks, Lauren. :0)

Sandra

7/31/2014 04:49:16 am

I love how he has matured! He has really filled out beautifully. This time next year I am hoping to have similar results with Varro! (half Arabian) I love reading your posts, so motivating and full of great advice!

7/31/2014 09:33:31 am

Thanks, Sandra! It has taken us a looooong time to be this low on the totem pole, but that's my fault of course. I have ridden my whole life, but dressage takes a whole different skill set than does riding 100 miles in a single day. Both are very hard to do!

Melissa Feather link

8/1/2014 12:11:33 am

There is nothing in this world that makes a breeder happier than to see the horses we breed go on to have a happy, well care for life. You have done that for Speedy 10 fold. You have partnered with him and made him into a even better individual. You are an amazingly strong woman and I thank you for everything you have done for him.

8/1/2014 03:48:21 am

Thank you so much for your kind words, Melissa. I have had such a good time with this horse (even though he can be a stinker!). I am so grateful that I snapped him up before someone else got to him. The thing that I most enjoy about him is his willingness to do whatever I ask of him.

If I want to do a three-hour trail ride the day before a show, he's game. Fox hunting? Okay. Big dressage show, no problem. We may never be grand prix and famous, but we get to do a lot of different things without worrying about melt downs. I adore the guy! :0)

I also a feel a big responsibility to help him realize his full potential. You took the time to breed him to be special, so I feel obligated to help him get there (wherever that may be). We'll keep you posted!

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage