THE 2019 TOP OF THE RANGE ARABIAN EVENT

On Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the 2019 Top of the Range Arabian Event and I have to say it was  exhilarating. No surprise there because when you’re surrounded by driven, engaged, successful people from the Arabian horse world it’s usually entertaining. These days I have the pleasure to sit back and observe what’s going on around me. I think about times gone by, catch up with old friends, and wonder what’s in store for the new ones.

I know with any club, whether it’s a horse club, a book club, a writing group or even a gardening club there are always highs and lows. The Downs Arabian Club Inc. is no exception. Having been a member of many a committee I know the feeling of helplessness shared by an often overworked, small number of people. It’s generally the responsibility of the few to soldier on regardless.

But what does the Arabian breed do when they run out of these dedicated, generous and hard-working members of the Arabian community?  Here, I send the whole committee huge congratulations on staging one of the most successful shows for the season. Every one of these hard working committee and the volunteers should be very proud, especially in a time when clubs are disbanding and the halter entry numbers are on the low side. However, for me one thing remained impressive and that is the balanced program focused on the saddle classes. The horses themselves were immaculately turned out as were their riders of all ages.

It’s written that a ridden show horse must give the impression of covering the ground easily and fluently. The horse must be well balanced and work without any obvious effort by the rider or any untoward resistance from the horse. The whole picture should be pleasing to the eye and I have to say the large and the small ridden horses were more than pleasing to my eye.

Congratulations to all of the riders and owners who have made such an effort in these terribly difficult times to show your magnificent horses and ponies.

There’s no double this is a show with a heart and soul, born decades ago by people who truly loved Arabian horses and desired only good for the breed. Congratulations to all associated with this show, you should be very proud of your achievements as the heart of this show is still beating with strength, determination and a clear love of the Arabian horse.

Photographs – Carmel Rowley and Don Rowley