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For the Horse Lover

The Arabian Horse

 

From the ancient deserts of the Middle East evolved the oldest known breed of riding horse, the Arabian. Now one of the most popular breeds in America , the Arabians' incredible energy, intelligence and gentle disposition allow riders to excel in most equine sports and activities. Today, Arabian horses spend as much time on the trail as they do at horse shows and other competitive events.

Nathan Harrison of Virginia imported the first Arabian stallion in 1725. This horse reportedly sired 300 foals from grade mares. Our first President, George Washington, road an Arabian horse. The first breeder of consequence, however, was A. Keene Richard. He journeyed into the desert in 1853 and 1856, subsequently importing several stallions and two mares. However, his breeding program fell victim to the Civil War and nothing survived.

 

 

In 1877, General Ulysses S. Grant visited Abdul Hamid II, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan of Turkey. There, he was presented with two stallions from the Sultan's stable, Leopard and Lindentree. Leopard was later given to Randolph Huntington who subsequently imported two mares and two stallions in 1888 from England . This program, limited as it was, must be considered as the first purebred Arabian breeding program in the United States .

In 1908, the Arabian Horse Club of America was formed (today known as the Arabian Horse Association) and the first stud book published. Recognition of the Arabian stud book by the U.S. Department of Agriculture established the Registry as a national registry and the only one for the purebred Arabian breed. Seventy-one purebred Arabians were registered at that point.

The high intelligence, trainability, gentle disposition and stamina of the Arabian enable it to excel at a wide variety of activities popular today. Arabians are excellent on the trail as well as in the show ring. Show classes in English and western pleasure, cutting and reining, even jumping and dressage provide opportunities for fun and enjoyment at both all-Arabian events and open breed shows alike. As an endurance horse, the Arabian has no equal. The top prizes at endurance events almost always go to riders of Arabians.

The breed became recognized by United States Equestrian Federation in 1951. Today, the USEF Rule Book contains a full division of rules governing the sport of showing Arabian, Half Arabian, and Anglo Arabian horses. The Arabian Horse Association (AHA), serves as the breed affiliate organization to the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

Some of the larger Arabian events in the United States include the U.S. National Arabian/Half Arabian Championship, AHA Youth National Championship, the Scottsdale Arabian Show, the Arabian and Half-Arabian Sport Horse Nationals, and the AHA Convention.

For more information about the Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horse contact the AHA at:

Arabian Horse Association
10805 E. Bethany Drive
Aurora , CO 80014
(303) 696-4500 phone
www.arabianhorses.org

Information provided by the Arabian Horse Association.

 

 
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