Competition News! Part 2 - Endurance World

From Jumping Desert Breds, we move on to Racing Desert Breds -

In endurance world, those Desert Breds have been clocking in the miles like a pack of Energizer Bunnies :).  First, MaryAnne Riley let us know that she and her gelding DB Blue Al-Ashab have been continuing their multi-day rides since their awesome success at Death Valley Encounter earlier this year, where they completed 200 miles over 4 days.  Since then, the pair have completed a three day 155 miles ride at Wild West in Grass Valley in March and a two day 100 at Coolie Ranch Ride in June.     That's MaryAnne and Al-Ashab from the DVE ride pictured above.

Back here in the midwest, Paula Kaigh and Sheri Devouassoux have been somehow finding a way to hit some rides in between all the rain (and resulting mud) we've been having.  In April, they went to State Fair Express, a ride on the Katy Trail in Central Missouri.  The weather was the biggest factor and riders were chilled to the bone in the cold wind and rain they endured throughout the day.  Paula rode her gelding, DB Dahman and Sheri rode Paula's younger grey gelding, Ibn Desert Dhellal (Paula and Ibn Dhellal pictured left on a training ride).    While the weather made the day less than stellar, it sure didn't hold these ladies back.  Paula won the 50 in a time of 6 hr, in a field of 19 riders.  Sheri competed in the 25 and finished 4th out of 21 riders, with a time of 3 hr and 26 min.  Woohoo!  Way to go ladies!

Moving on to June and the opposite extremes of the weather, we join Paula and Sheri again for the Double Eagle Dance ride in MIssouri.  Heat and humidity plagued this ride, with the forecast of high 90's for the day.  The temps kept a lot of people at home, but a few braved the temps to try out the inaugural ride of this event.  The ride was held at Double Eagle Ranch, which was beautiful rolling hills and immaculate boarding stables.  Abundant happy energetic volunteers were everywhere, and it was a fabulous place for a ride (in the opinion of this crew member :)). 

Paula rode DB Dahman in the 50 and Sheri was riding DB Zahrah, a mare owned by Desert Bred Arabians,  in the 25.  Both were keeping a great pace, until some trail confusion (some cars were parked in front of flags marking the trail, causing a missed turn) brought both back to the barn too soon.  No rider likes to have to repeat trail, but when you're trying to finish before the heat of the day, it's even more frustrating.  After getting instruction from the Ride Manager where they needed to double back to get back on course (picture above),  the two headed back out.

By the time they finished this loop (2nd for the LD, 3rd for the 50), Paula was back in first (on right side of picture on left) and Sheri was 3rd LD'er (left side of picture). 

Zahrah pulsed down and got her completion for an official 3rd Place finish (Zahrah and Sheri pictured left)!  Fantastic job Sheri at getting Zahrah thru this tough ride!

Throughout the day riders and horses were dropping out - from heat, from lost shoes, from tumbles off of horses - that the pool of riders grew smaller and smaller.  And the day grew hotter as the remaining 50 milers finished the last loop.

Crews and vets and staff began watching the finish line.  Someone HAD to be coming in soon...?  2:00 past.  3:00 past.  Finally, a dot in the distance (picture left)- Paula (a very thirsty, hot and tired Paula) and Dahman  walked across the finish line around 4:00 to earn their First Place Finish and Best Condition Award and showed that these competitions aren't always how fast you can finish, but how well you can ENDURE.  There should be extra points for tough rides, wouldn't it be nice if that were so?  Hats off to Sheri and Paula for truly enduring a very tough day and finishing a ride with a 50% completion rate among the riders!  Hooray!

Competition News! Part 1

It's been a while since I last posted, but my excuse is its been super hard keeping up with all the DB Arabs and their owners!  From show to endurance ride, it's been a busy spring, leading into a busy summer.  So hang on to your hats folks and fasten your seatbelts - we've got a LOT of news to cover!

First off, we have oodles of congratulations to pass around for the many successes of several junior riders at the recent Cornerstone Hunter/Jumper Show. 

First, hats off to 4 yr old Ginny Sanders riding DB Bint Dahmah, (DB Najem Huda X DB Dahmah), owned by DB Arabians.  Ginny has been taking lessons from her Aunt, Sarah Sanders and enjoys 'cantewing' :).  The lead line class was a bit tame for her, and she didn't quite understand why they weren't 'cantewing', but she was all smiles nonetheless.  This was DB Bint Dahmah's first show, and future olympian Ginny had her well underhand.  Ginny and B. Dahmah placed first in lead line, and she was ecstatic about her pretty blue ribbon.    Personally, I am very impressed by her equitation - I wonder if she could give me lessons? :)  I would love to have my heels that perfectly positioned :).  Ginny, B Dahmah and trainer Megan White are pictured left  and below (photos courtesy of proud mom Bobbi Sanders).

Anna Rosenstengel also showed DB B. Dahmah (sorry, no pics of Anna :( but if anyone has some, please share!).  Anna showed B Dahmah in flat classes and cross-rails and came away with two 1st place ribbons, 3 3rd place, 1 4th and 15th.  Certainly a rainbow of ribbons to decorate her room - very successful day to be sure!  A HUGE congratulations to Anna!

And this beaming young rider on the left is Kaity Jasper and her first horse, gelding DB Shetan (Ahmar Shetan X DB Jazzal)  (photos courtesy of Bobby Sanders).

Kaity and Shetan were outstanding in all their classes, and came away with two well earned 4th place ribbons.  They should also have won an award for the being Best Dressed - check out that color coordination!  What a pretty picture!

(Left, Ginny Sanders and B Dahmah show off their Blue ribbon).

Not pictured is Devin Isselhard who showed her TB Mare, Jeanie in the Jumper classes at Cornerstone on June 18.  They did WONDERFULLY and earned two 2nd place and a 4th!

It's a Girl!

Memorial Day brought us a beautiful surprise - a gorgeous filly!  This little girl is the pride and joy of first time mama, DB Grey Legs (Julilah) owned by the Gray family, friends of (and boarders of) Desert Bred Arabians.  Her sire is Aswad Khayal (pictured below).  Her dam has a tail female line of Hamdani (to Sindidah).

At first she was a bit camera shy.....

But then she agreed to pose, with mom close by for comfort.   A pretty black bay with a very sweet face :).  No official name yet, but the unofficial barn name is Roxie, in honor of Roxie, one of our very hard working helpers who was the first to greet her in this world.  Welcome Roxie!

Julilah has proven to be quite a performance athlete and was shown extensively by her junior owner/handler Lindsey Gray in Hunter classes, including a trip to Nationals.  And just for fun, they competed on the endurance trails as well.  We're looking forward to Julilah junior following her mama's hoofprints!

(photo left - Aswad Khayal )

Exuberance

How to live an exuberant life.....

Keep your tail high.......

Show off when you have an audience.....

Frolic in a meadow occasionally......

Make time to play with your friends......


















Dance when the mood strikes.....

Always be ready to flirt..........

Never forget how to make a snow angel....

Don't ever hesitate for a good splash in the mud!

Photos, from top:  Alwal Bahet; Aswad Khayal; GR Desert Aladdinn; DB Ibn Najem Huda and DB Mirath; DB Airs Aidah (previous 4 photos by S. Haege); DB Najem Huda (photo by d. McWhirter); Bao Zahrah (photo by c. Stafford); DB Yuniya (photo by c. Sanders)

Spring is Here!

 Spring is exploding all over the place on our trails at The Riding Center.

The white blossoms of the Dogwoods are shining in the sunshine.

The Redbuds are popping everywhere you look.

 Even the horses have to stop and admire the pretty colors.




















 Is this a wild violet?  Wild geranium?  If you know, let me know!  But they're just precious and carpeting the woods.
















And these blue flowers (below) are Virginia Bluebells I'm pretty sure....they just make everything look like a magical elfin forest.

And buttercups?  Where the woods aren't carpeted with blue or violet, these charming little yellow flowers fill in the gaps.

Don't miss out on the beautiful weather and sights.  Come join us for a ride!  See you soon!  (photo left by Sheri Devouassoux)

Congratulations Paula on 1st Place Win!

Applause all around to Paula Kaigh, and her gelding, DB Dahman, for finishing 1st Place in the AERC Eagle Ranch Endurance ride in Missouri last weekend!  Paula won the 50 mile ride just seconds before her nearest competitor.  The picture left is the race to the finish line  - I like how determined and focused both horse and rider look :).

Paula and Dahman have accrued 1030 endurance miles together, that include 7 first place wins and 6 best condition awards.

Baby Pics!

We got to hear from MaryAnne (below) about her ride at DVE, and now we get BABY PICS!  How lucky are we to hear from our friends with Desert Bred babies (even grown up ones like MaryAnne's!)

Recently our friend Jenny e-mailed us pics of her new filly, Labwah Al-Shaykhah, out of her mare HS Marayah.  Marayah was bred to our stallion DB Khrush.  Khrush's tail female line is Davenport, going back to the rare mare Werdi, along with a sire line that goes back to Furtha Dhellal, A Hamdani bred by Khalid Hamid al-Dawsari, a Dawasir Bedouin living in al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.






Jenny says "Labwah’s a great kid – super friendly, sensible and very trainable. She’ll make a terrific companion, and has lots of athletic potential. She also has Khrush’s beautiful soft eyes…".  And judging from this picture, Labwah is loaded with flexibility!











Labwah was her mare's first foal. "Marayah was a great mom! Protective, but let us do anything with the baby, and not too permissive."

Labwah looks like she can't wait to start jumping just like her dad :).  Thanks Jenny for sharing these pics, we're so glad you're enjoying Marayah's first filly.  Please keep us posted on your adventures to come!