My New Horse Venture

Shatar and his owner at the Arab Sport Horse Nationals

As most of you know, I've been in an struggle trying to decide what direction to go with my riding, if any. My dressage partner of 13 years has been retired, and I've been riding lesson horses.

As often happens when you quit looking for a solution to a problem, a solution falls in your lap. A few weeks ago, one fell into mine.

I was offered the chance to lease Shatar. Shatar is an older Anglo-Arab in my barn, who's been shown extensively at FEI levels, helped riders earn their USDF Bronze and Silver Medals, and was Reserve Prix St. Georges at the Arabian Sport Horse Nationals a few years back. His owner has two other horses she rides and shows. She doesn't want to let go of Shatar, and she'd like to lease him to someone who will ride him at the upper levels. Even though he's older, he's still supple, sound, and in great shape.

Also at Arab Sport Horse Nationals

I've ridden him in a few lessons and really enjoyed him. During my last lesson, I acutally rode my first canter pirouettes and also started learning some tempi changes. He knows it all so it's a matter of teaching me.

I'll also be able to show him next year. He's a trooper with tons of show miles and moves like a little warmblood. I may even enter the world of Arabian sport horse showing, something I've never done before. It could prove interesting.

Shatar is uncomplicated, though he doesn't give anything away. He wants you to work for it and do it right.

Hopefully, another positive by-product will be that I'll lose the 20 pounds I've put on since I quit riding.

So it looks like I'm back in the saddle. I'll start leasing him in September. Stay tuned for more as I learn how to ride an upper-level horse.