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A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF ARABIAN HORSE SHOWS A SURPRISING VOICE FROM THE PAST ENVISIONS A NEW ERA OF SHOWING THAT IS FUN FOR EVERYONE b y Ray LaCroix
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he wonderful thing about being a dreamer is that in fantasy, unlike in real life, one is able to try on ideas to see if they are a good fit and to understand how they feel. Are they satisfying? Are they comfortable? If they are, great! If not, simply hit the delete button and “poof,” it all goes away. In fantasy, license is given to explore, without criticism destroying a dream before it can come to fruition. The late, great Walt Disney had a strategy for creativity that he religiously followed and it became famously known as the Disney strategy. He had three separate phases in his process of creating something real: the dreamer, the planner, and the
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THE ARABIAN SHOW HORSE SCENE HAS
BEEN AT A CROSSROADS FOR SOME TIME. REGISTRATIONS, BREEDING, AND PARTICIPATION TRENDING DOWN, FOR YEARS, DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR THE FUTURE. OBVIOUSLY CHANGES MUST BE MADE...
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critic. He used this to create Disneyland, a concept that, at the time, many said couldn’t be done. The Arabian show horse scene has been at a crossroads for some time. Registrations, breeding, and participation trending down, for years, does not bode well for the future. Obviously changes must be made, yet there is no agreement about what needs to be changed. In business, the best way to correct the failure of a product is to examine its value. The product in this instance is not the Arabian horse, it is what we do
with them and the experience we have while doing it. At the end, what did you get for your money? This is my fantasy for the future of Arabian show horses. Get yourself a beverage of choice, have a seat in your best place to relax, and journey with these ideas into the year 2025. Bon voyage!
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THIS IS MY FANTASY FOR THE
FUTURE OF ARABIAN SHOW HORSES.
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I’m on the road, driving to the first U.S. Nationals for the All Arabian Horsemanship Nationals. The year is 2025, and this will be the last Arabian show I will participate in as chairman of the judges’ oversight committee... Five years ago, in 2020, I posed a question on Facebook that garnered an amazing number of posts. I asked my Facebook friends what they loved about the past that was missing in the present show experience. Those who participated formed a group bound by the love of showing the Arabian horse. The concept of value was a common issue among 650 comments in the thread, along with a longing to return to “the good old days” pre-sales and hoopla. Think the late ‘60s. That was a time when shows were more like big get-togethers rather than a competition. Certainly there were winners and ribbons were passed out, but the pace wasn’t so hurried because there weren’t many classes and they were all different. People didn’t have a horse for each class, and if you didn’t win it just meant you had more to learn. People helped one another with their horse problems or talked about tack and training methods, and after the classes you could smell the
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tsdale and all its glory, AHAA says it best: “It’s a team edicated members, and a t it.’ ess! With over 2,600 horses new barns was a major factor
negotiated another ten years with the city of Scottsdale, with an option for ten more. This year the city of Scottsdale expanded WestWorld and spent millions renovating. Had the city not seen this need the AHAA would not have been able // to expand the barns and have such an incredible show. Many people may not realize how much work the public barbecues. Friends and newcomers alike sat with committee reopening people finally getting back to relations invests,had from increased television wine and beer and were just, well, human. something resembling work, kids were in a new type In those days there were some of “school” learning environment, and professional trainers, but most Americans were starting to travel worked for private farms that had again. The economy, though, was in breeding programs, and they shambles and unemployment, brought their own stock to though falling, was at 35%. showcase. A very few trainers had It was at this juncture that AHA their own public stable, and they filed for bankruptcy and Michael Dell brought some clients, but there were rounded up wealthy Arabian no big barns, none were in cliques, members and purchased the and everyone talked to everyone. organization. It became clear to all Horsemanship was still a mystery, Arabian horse fans that the new so it was cool to watch “the pros” organization would cater to those and talk about it. It was a safe place left standing: the wealthy. High for kids to play and be kids; most dollar horses and breeding, and the helped with chores because that’s few large training barns still solvent, the way it was. The experience had were in play. At this time, nearly half value because you weren’t exhausted – physically of the non-wealthy Arabian show horses and morning shows,dropped and a out lot for of lack promotion and financially – at the end of the show.commercials, You had met to live owners immediately of new people and had fun, as well as shown in a few to bringfinances. Management of the Arabian and Halfin general in the people and make Scottsdale such a classes. Arabian Show Horse Association (mainly Michael great show. A unique addition was featured at this year’s event When the fall of 2020 came, the virus spread, Dell) wisely made adjustments to the membership — spectators weredues provided play-by-play overwhelming many states and their healthcare and added a clause forheadsets, show fees allowing which gave systems, and the United States shut down again, Half-Arabians a break at all shows for a period them to hear whatthe was going on in other rings as well (see not from a federal order, but from fear and state of two years. (There was a pretty smart plan for April 2007 issue, page 100). out of the Half-Arabian prize money controls. The disconnected stock market plunged, reimbursement and folks really started to know what a real Flood also attributes much of the success of the show to depression felt like. It became clear to everyone that OVERALL OBJECTIVE: CREATE AN ADAPTIVE the phenomenal volunteer group of over 500 dedicated the world had changed. For real. EQUESTRIAN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON The lockdown lasted through January 2021, and “Some ofHORSEMANSHIP enthusiasts. the amateurs did theAND FORtours EACHbehind DIVISION the nation finally came together to fight a real war SUCH THAT, THROUGH THE show, a kind of ‘meet DISCIPLINE, a horse’ exhibition for people to come for survival. The fed had kicked in, and more money NATURAL COURSE OF EVOLUTION, EACH was handed out, and the nation limpedand into visit a horse, sit on one and have their photo taken. DIVISION COMES CLOSER TO, NOT FARTHER February, when the vaccine came online. Eloisa Statham, president of the Amateur Committee has FROM, THE ORIGINAL ESSENCE OF THE By August, America came out of its slumber and done a great job.” proved to the DIVISION/DISCIPLINE/CLASS. world that it Strand was judging at Scottsdale for the first time. Jody hadn’t winnings.) It seems that high motion and specialized “Scottsdale was a cool show to judge,” he says. “I had a great forgotten how looks were still kings! The net effect? Fifty percent of to time be a world the Arabians most great of the horses.” Half-Arabians and was amazed to see soand many For stayed Jody leader. With a with the new organization. there was one class in particular that stood out, the Halfvaccine on the So what about those that were left behind? That’s Arabian Futurity. “The depth was horizon, a Western Pleasure actually what this story is about. subsequent in this time that the Ten little group incredible. We couldIt was havealso thrown out period the first Top and slow, scienceof horse owners that had responded to my still had a good group of purebred junior horses — justtovery based Facebook thread, were pining for something do
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futurities as the biggest reason. This year the AHAA awarded approximately $420,000 in prize money for the western and English divisions, but the addition of the Reining Futurities (with $100,000 in prize money) was another factor that upped the ante and contributed to the phenomenal growth. And the Signature Stallion Auction (see story on page 254)
nice. Liz Bentley won the western pleasure open and that was fun to see. Second Tsultan (Second Echo x Tschantillee) isn’t a//
newcome Liz had a had a nic Wh terrific,” afraid tha but there And he m “You don topline … house fro “As Fillies an beautiful we’re ma legs. You — then e anybody’ Nee experienc newfoun of it. And
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with their horses. They started talking to one another. They decided to start having demonstrations, clinics, and classes at their farms and at local trainer barns on the weekends. Divisions like western dressage, dressage, jumpers, trail, advanced trail (a timed trail class), working western divisions of ranch sorting, team penning, working cow, and regular reining were the topics of the day. General horsemanship and colt starting were also common topics as many people wanted to get their horses started but had no money to pay a trainer. Before long, a newsletter was started to keep a schedule of what was happening and when and where. The people who had main ring horses that couldn’t play in the “big leagues” wanted something to do as well. They participated mostly in clinics and then started their own get-togethers. A few of each, country English, hunters, and western horses gathered at local trainer facilities and started having small competitions. And then it happened. A real step forward towards a new beginning came to fruition.
It was in early April ‘22 that I received word that here was to be a meeting to which I was invited, to try to put together the structure of a new show organization based around the values roughed out in the old Facebook thread. The name for the organization had already been decided, and a benefactor would fund it. The name? The All Arabian Horsemanship Association of America! The idea? Go back to the inception of the Arabian show horse and rebuild an organization that serves all members and
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OVERALL OBJECTIVE:
lmost to my destination, only 150 miles to go and time for some caffeine. Thinking about the transformation of the American Arabian show horse scene, and how the All Arabian Horsemanship Association of America! (AAHAA!) came to be, is exciting still, some four-plus years later. The timeline went just something like this. It was late August of 2021 when Michael Dell and friends swooped in and purchased the assets of AHA. They swiftly turned things around, quick enough to open the new AAHASHA with a bang, during February for the 2022 Scottsdale All Arabian show. The Make America Run Again Act, putting millions of Americans back to work, started in November of ‘21, and by the start of the second quarter of ‘22, the economy was starting to show signs of life.
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FOR OUR DIVISIONS OF ENGLISH PLEASURE, WESTERN PLEASURE, HUNTER, ETC.,
FRAME AND STYLE ARE SIMILAR, BUT BALANCE IS JUDGED PARAMOUNT WITH CONTACT AND SUPPLENESS.
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start, this time, with the end in mind. Wow! That got my attention, because it was as if I wrote it! Of course I would attend. I started writing notes. Actually, I still have them in a folder in my briefcase: Create an adaptive equestrian organization focused on horsemanship for each division and discipline, such that, through the natural course of evolution, each division comes closer to, not farther from, the original essence of the division/discipline/ class. Focus on balance of the horse, not “frame first.” For our divisions of English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Hunter, etc., frame and style are similar, but balance is judged paramount with contact and suppleness. Way of going and delivery of motion may be natural or more cadenced than normal, TBD. Our Halter divisions are to change back to conformation classes with no hard stance and no balding of eyes.
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GET RID OF: 1. Club structure: too difficult to implement decision making effectively, no continuity of leadership.
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balance. Transitions are equally weighted, and the walk, in all but one division, was double weighted. U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW IS A Contact and suppleness are mandatory, all things DISASTER FOR LOCAL SHOWS AND LOCAL being equal, suppleness, as it assists balance, wins. Of course, the suppleness will directly enhance or PEOPLE. (THE QUESTION TO ALWAYS ASK IS: detract from the way of going and the “style” of the WHO BENEFITS?) ALSO, THE U.S. NATIONALS IS frame. NOT THE PLACE FOR BEGINNERS. THE SHOW IS Revamp the idea of a judges’ school for TO SHOWCASE THE BEST IN THE BREED. performance to reflect the changes in the rules and specifications. Judges, who have a desire to work with us, will have to be taught and tested as to how 2. Regional concept: funneling all participants to to spot balance (horses on forehand vs. carrying the U.S. National Championship show is a disaster for weight on haunch) and determine local shows and local people. (The suppleness. question to always ask is: who Judges do not have to award a benefits?) Also, the U.S. Nationals first place if none of the is not the place for beginners. The competitors fit the specifications. show is to showcase the best in the No horse shown under saddle breed. until four years of age and then 3. Present shoeing rules do not shown only in juvenile classes, benefit the horse. So who TBD. benefits? Present shoeing rules Halter division: Hard stance is also inhibit the notion of versatility gone as well as balding of eyes. for the horse. Go back to weight, No halter whips. Focus is on with 14-oz shoe and 4-oz pads (1 conformation resulting in capacity pad 1 wedge) for 15.1 and under says Joel. “Shawn Rooker, who rode Sin City for me since I the futurity. “Noble Way scored extremely high for motion, both for soundness with consideration and 22-oz for over 15.1, 16-oz shoe was committed to another horse, did a fabulous job of front and back, and had the crowd appeal made it all the more type, the other way around. and 6-oz pads (1 pad 1 wedge). The thinking fun! showing himbehind — I thought it would be to a good matchnot between the two — boy, did they prove me right — they were “The finals of the Scottsdale $100,000 English Futurity was ADD: this weight scheme: Most present Arabians need a one of the most exciting classes ever. There were 14 terrific fabulous! And this was the first class this horse has ever been Mission statement wedge pad to show without pain (correct hoof/ in and he proved himself to be a show horse.” horses into thethe ring allentire showing organization: why English is such wonderful The noiseTheir and energy level was off the charts and the “Needless to say we werealong thrilled the way lines the the ofdiscipline. the USDF. mission statement pastern angle, coffin joint impingement).Joel If says, a wedge futurities went off! And the funds that were raised this year stands were packed full of people, with every person in the place is basically that the future of their organization is pad is necessary, a regular pad is alsowere necessary to cheering for their favorite. over $100,000 — that will be over $125,000 for the four-year-olds If of the “Noble Way backed off a little bit and I think it was due help the wedge stay in place and for comfort. wefuture.” “The Scottsdale show is exciting and fun, but it was the more to being in a ring full of horses versus the noise levels. He had decent hooves, I wouldn’t even go with the pads. THE OUTCOME OFTopCREATING lure of the $100,000 English Futurity, and having a horseOVERALL still looked good and was solidly Ten … and $5,000Ais a These, I believe, are the lightest weights weof can capable being a top contender, that solidified our decision very nice prize! Sin City was spectacular in the final and deserved NEW ENTITY IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY to compete,” says Lori Conway, who with husband Peter to win it. All in all I think the class was an overwhelming success comfortably (with the horse in mind) get by with.
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FUNNELING ALL PARTICIPANTS TO THE
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CHANGE:
entered Noble Way (IXL Noble Express x FOR Chamorita Afire) in and we can’t wait for Scottsdale says. GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE OF2008,” THELori ARABIAN
Rewrite class specifications in a specific and illustrative way to paint an accurate picture of the desired outcome of the class by defining the essence (job description – what the class is really about) of the class and designing gate calls and movements, that, when trained, preserve and enhance the essence through the evolution of the class. Change the criteria for performance judging such that the judges look for balance first, and the way of moving and the resultant frame as the result of that
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dependent upon the quality of their judging. (The USDF was the only equestrian organization that, during the 2020 time frame, was actually adding members to its organization!) Judges oversight team: To control and insure that judging is to specifications set out in the rule book, under penalty of suspension and/or dismissal.
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s dale, with dale . Had the // been able ow. The overall outcome of creating a new entity is to the public provide an opportunity for global acceptance of the n
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▪ ARABIAN
was clear: let’s get this done! And really, that’s what happened. The structure of the organization was laid out, Arabian as both a beautiful horse and a strong and along with a list of things to versatile performer. The All Arabian accomplish before launching the Horsemanship Association of first small show. On that list was to America! will promote both rewrite the specs, simplify, and divisions and accomplish the goal condense a bunch of rules, agree by creating an equestrian model of on dramatically cutting the class excellence through the attention to schedules by eliminating redundant horsemanship best practices and classes. It was also agreed that it horse development, both physically would be necessary to provide and mentally. The additional some clinics to demonstrate what outcome is to witness the growth in actual balance looks like with the public participation in this new contact in all divisions, discuss and entity because of the new goals show the true definition of contact, that are more closely aligned with and how it is created, demonstrate giving the participating public a cadenced trot, where applicable, value for their entertainment and clearly executed transitions dollar. Value is described as having where straightness is evaluated. As more that you CAN do, and ENJOY newcomer, but compared to others he is a relative newcomer. well, the judges’ education system DOING, with your horse: More Liz had a great ride — the horse was locked in and very solid, was discussed and clarified, along horsemanship knowledge, more with the judges’ oversight training had a knowledge, nice gallopmore andhandsgood tone and quality.” committee. on experience preparing the horse What about the mares? “The mares and fillies were Remembering all of that back in from/by the owner with or without terrific,” Jody says. “I’ve never judged so many horses. I was April of 2022, and, to have professional supervision, and more accomplished what we have; the responsibility the owner/ afraid that from the sheer quantity wouldn’t match up in quality, clinics, the demonstrations, the exhibitor toward the successful but there were so many horses that were wickedly beautiful.” practice shows, the judges’ outcome, and the pride of And he means from the feet up — not the other way around. selections, having it all on video accomplishment. and the production of a THE MEETING: “You don’t want to say, ‘Yes, he or she is beautiful with a great horsemanship infomercial Held in Thousand Oaks, just futurities as the biggest reason. This year the AHAA awarded hen it comes to Scottsdale and all its glory, topline … but the legs are on backwards.’ Youof don’t approximately $420,000 in prize money for the western and Bill Flood, president AHAA says build it best: “It’s aateam demonstrating the differences to north of Los Angeles, California, English divisions, but the addition of the Reining Futurities effort with great management, dedicated members, and a house from the toprefreshing! down. (withan $100,000 in prizeand money)appreciative was another factor that eager the meeting was really board of directors who really ‘get it.’ upped the ante and contributed to the phenomenal growth. “The show was a huge success! With over 2,600 horses audience, drooling over thoughts of Structured wellwe organized, And the Signature Stallion Auction (see story on page 254) “As and judges were really proud ofaddition theof Junior Champion entered, the the 20 new barns was a major factor was even more amazing,their with sales of $676,000, an increase of to support the increase of competitors,” Bill continues. schooling own horses and there was spirited debate, yet over $200,000. were over 250,000 with the increase in Fillies and Mares Our top“There lineup was spectators, filledandwith competing on much more objective open mindedness wasclasses. displayed The unanimous Champion of the English Pleasure corporate sponsorships, a sold-out commercial exhibit hall Futurity Classic, Sin basis. City (BaskeWow! Afire x LasA Veghaz), is owned with 80 patrons a sheer numbers standpoint it was and fair lot of work among the carefully selected beautiful, beautiful mares with good legs.— from I think it shows by Joseph Kinnarney and trained by Joel Kiesner. “He really an overwhelming success over last year.” was but thetoball was rolling invitees, as item after item was put on a showdone, and brought the place their feet that night,” Why the surge in growth? Many attribute the new we’re making better choices in breeding horses with correct by the beginning of 2023 and the addressed. It was a three-day, 239 ▪ ARABIAN HORSE WORLD ▪ MAY 2007 legs. You don’t want to 10 have performance horses break down first real show year of the new long weekend meeting with AAHAA! was about to begin! people, three being amateurs, three — then everyone is disappointed and it’s not good for being Arabian judges, two professional trainers that What were the changes to the class structure? anybody’s business.” I remember, a horse owner who was a lawyer by The class list for the show? How would a show like Needless to say,The Jody Strand thoroughly enjoyed profession, and myself. email that was put thisthe be managed and feel? together was both an invitation and an outline experience of judging such a great show. “It gave me Find a out in Arabian Horse World’s next edition of laying out the structure of the three days. The intent “News of the World.”
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newfound faith. It was unique and I was honored to be a part of it. And it was just a ton of fun!”
HORSE WORLD ▪ MAY 2007
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