The Difference Between Hunters & Jumpers

Hunters and jumpers are obviously judged differently, but what is the judge actually looking for?  In a Hunter class, the judge looks for a certain conformation and efficient elegance in movement that creates an overall picture.  A hunter rider must be concerned with every detail, taking an artistic approach to jumping.  Hunter classes were originally created to analyze the qualities needed in a field hunter.  A well mannered, or good minded horse is a must.  A ground covering yet easy to ride gait, and a safe jumping style are important attributes that the judge looks for.

Jumpers on the other hand, are the Porches of the horse world.  The horses must have the same traits as the hunter, but must also be extremely bold and courageous!  In the jumper classes, the fastest cleanest round wins.  Faults such as refusals, runouts, rails down, and going over the optimal time may keep the horse and rider team from winning.  Big purses and the thrills and spills of this sport attract top horses and riders as well as big crowds.   Show Jumping became an Olympic sport in the 1900 Paris Games.  

Equitation classes are judged subjectively.  However, in this class the rider is judged more than the performance of the horse.  This event was invented to create a solid riding foundation, which would allow a rider to move into hunter and then jumper classes. 

Many beginning riders have the misconception that jumper classes do not require as much skill as hunter classes.  However, the opposite is true.  It is important that a rider hone their skills going at a slower pace with great precision before attempting to take large jumps at high speeds.

No matter which class a rider should choose to show in, Hunter Jumper Shows are extremely popular amongst riders from all over the world.  Big shows are held each year in many different parts of the world that attract thousands of riders as well as spectators.  They create an avenue where horses and riders can show off their hard work and the beauty and unity of their riding skills.

The Origins of Jumping

As the horse bunches its muscles and flies over a jump and covers a course with courage and grace, one often wonders where this sport began.  Here is a brief history of the origins of the sport of jumping. 

In many areas of medieval Europe, the upper class citizens could obtain permission to hunt and fish on feudal land.  Not only did the game provide recreation, but also food and furs.  Riders rode briskly across the countryside in pursuit of their quarry, jumping obstacles along the way. 

Ireland was the home of the first steeplechase.  In the 18^th century people made a sport of riding and jumping obstacles across the country from the steeple of one church to the steeple of another.  The first steeplechase is said to have been the result of a wager in 1752 between Mr. Cornelius O'Callaghan and Mr. Edmund Blake.  The course was from Buttevant Church to St. Leger Church, a four mile long course in Cork, Ireland. The early steeple chase competitions were most similar to a European cross country course.  The first steeplechase to be run on a track with jumps was celebrated in 1810 in Bedlam, North Yorkshire.  

How did hunting and jumping come to America?  Hunting was part of the culture in the South.  The elite members of southern society attempted to impose rules and create reserves, much like those in Europe, but the slaves and the poorer hunters would not comply.  The hunt then became a “sport” to the wealthy southerners, who loved the thrill of the chase.  This differentiated their focus from the hunting methods of those people who were focused on hunting for the sake of gathering food and pelts.   This is how the sport of competing in hunter and jumper classes established itself in America. 

The History of the Crabbet Arabians

Crabbet Park Stud was first established in 1878 after Lord and Lady Anne Blunt returned to England from the Middle East with some fine Arabian horses with which to start a breeding program.  Lady Anne, the daughter of the poet Lord Byron, was a highly respected horsewoman and had a deep love of horses since early childhood.  Her husband, Wilfrid Scawen Blunt was well versed in Middle Eastern politics.  While on one of their trips to the Middle East, Lady Anne fell in love with the beautiful majestic Arabian horses.  She began a crusade to save the dwindling population of magnificent equines, and her passion fueled her to import and preserve the purest bloodlines as the Bedouins had done for hundreds of years. Traveling far into the Nejd desert, they sought the most prized horses of the Bedouin tribes.  For 93 years, Crabbet Park Stud produced what became the foundation of other great breeding programs throughout the world.  The last of the horses were sold in 1972 when the building of a road that would split the park was planned.  

The Bedouins practiced and were obsessed with tracking the ancestry of their horses to ensure that the horses were of “asil” (pure) blood.  Lady Blunt embraced their philosophies and was obsessed with creating animals whose ancestry was unquestionably pure.

The Blunts purchased a 37 acre park near Cairo Egypt in 1890.  There they founded the SheykhObeyd stud.  The breeding program contained the last remnants of the famous Egyptian breeding program of Ali Pasha Sherif.  Lady Blunt took up permanent residence there in 1906, and lived there until she passed in 1917.

Messaoud, an Ali Pasha Sherif stallion was first imported to England in 1891.  He was the perfect example of an Arabian horse, with outstanding conformation, good bone, a bright red chestnut color and four white stockings.  He was highly influential throughout the world as a breeding stallion.  His name can be found on thousands of pedigrees.  He was later sold to the Russians in 1903, and he passed away during the Russian Revolution.

Lady Anne Blunt mentions in one of her diaries that her daughter’s first riding horse was a mare named Basilisk.  Although the Blunts did not prefer grey horses because the military often purchased them as remounts, and grey horses were considered easy targets, their daughter was fond of them.  Lady Wentworth took over Crabbet Park Stud and bought back many of the horses that her father had sold.  Her desire was to revive some of the bloodlines that had died out.  She had a keen eye and could recognize the potential of young foals from her experience of watching them grow up through the years.

In 1909 a grey Arabian stallion from the Antoniny Stud in Poland caught Lady Wentworth’s fancy.  She quickly assessed his true potential and purchased him for her breeding program quietly and quickly.  His name was Skowronek, and he became one of the most important and influential stallions at Crabbet Park Stud.  He died at the ripe old age of 22.

After Lady Wentworth passed, she left the Crabbet Stud to the son of her stallion manager, Cecil Covey.  He allowed the stallions to stand to the public, which imprinted the Arabian horse as a breed even more.

Crabbet bloodlines are predominant especially in the performance arenas.  They excel at, and dominate the Tevis Cup, and the Quilty Hundred Mile Endurance Ride in Australia as well as many other types of performance classes.  They are known for being conformationally correct, elegant, with strong bone, willing temperaments, and exceedingly athletic.

In technical terms, a Crabbet Arabian is a horse that traces in all lines of its pedigree to Arabians owned or bred by the Crabbet Park Stud, whether under the management of Lady and Lord Blunt, Lady Wentworth, or Cecil Covey.

Crabbet Arabian bloodlines show off their virtues especially well in saddle competition and in endurance riding. The Tevis Cup in the United States and the Quilty Hundred Mile Endurance Ride in Australia are dominated by Crabbet Arabians. They excel at the highest levels of performance competition due to their strong bones, excellent conformation, graceful movement, good temperament and outstanding performance ability, which are the recognized virtues of Crabbet Arabian horses.

How Infrared Light Helps to Heal Your Horse Quickly

Each type of tissue and cell structure in the body has a different ability to absorb wavelengths of light.  Skin, because it is filled with fluids like water and blood, absorbs light very readily, while the dense areas of the body, such as bone, need a different wavelength of light.  Health function is magnified when specific pulsing wavelengths of light are introduced to an area that has undergone an injury.  Even the formation of new capillaries to speed oxygen and nutrients to the damaged site. 

Because metabolism is increased and waste from damaged cells is removed quickly, the light source does not have to be applied for a great length of time.  Oxygen and nutrients are rushed to the site of the damaged tissue and a torrent of biochemical responses occur.  Fibroblastic activity is activated to promote the healing of connective tissue and thus collagen fibers are created.

So if your busy schedule makes taking care of an injury on your equine friend an after hours chore, try Infrared Light Therapy and get the results you need lightning fast.

The History of the Arabian Horse Market

An elegant carriage, beautifully dished face, large liquid brown eye, and the movement of a ballet dancer define the stunning breed of horse called the Arabian.   

In the United States, this breed more than many others, has had its financial ups and downs, much like the stock market in the not so distant past.  This history is alive and the information invaluable.  
Arabian horses were first imported into the United States in the mid-1800’s.  During the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, they received a tremendous amount of attention.  Turkey displayed 45 equines, and two became the first to be registered in the Arabian Studbook of America.

In 1906 Homer Davenport imported 27 horses.  Shortly thereafter a registry was formed, and recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture.  In the 1920’s and 1930’s Arabians were imported by W.K. Kellogg. Roger Selby imported England’s Crabbet Stud horses.  Breeding programs began springing up all over the United States, as Arabians were also brought in from Spain, Poland and Egypt.

In the 1960’s the horses with Crabbet breeding were all the rage.  These bloodlines were later referred to as course; however, they have proven themselves over time, to be sturdy, athletic, impactual and thus, important to the breed.  In 1969 Wayne Newton purchased an imported Russian Arabian stallion named Naborr.  He paid the large sum of $150,000.00 for the stud.  Mike Nichols, the famous Hollywood director, also began breeding Arabians in the 1970’s.   Shortly thereafter, they became the living art and status symbol that every celebrity, or wealthy individual needed to have in their art collection.  In the 1960’s it was reasonable to pay $25,000.00 for a top of the line Arabian horse.  In the 70’s the same horse brought $30,000.00, while in the mid-80’s the price sky rocketed to $478,000.00

In 1963, the Lasma Arabian Stud, owned by the LeCroix family imported  *Bask , A Polish stallion that later became a National Championship winner at both the halter and performance classes.  His stud fee was $500.00 in 1963 and later rose to an astronomical $10,000.00 by 1975.  *Bask sired 1,046 Arabians, and 194 of them were national winners.  In 1971 the first Lasma sale, the average price for the sale horses was $19,000.00.  A *Bask daughter brought a stunning $56,000.00, and Mike Nichols purchased another *Bask bred mare for $117,000.00.

In the 1980’s a large marketing push to the wealthy displayed the Arabians as an investment.  Because they were scarce, magnificently beautiful, and exotic, they made an attractive investment.  The fact that they also offered a tax write off only added to their allure.  The tax laws permitted the depreciation of the cost of breeding animals for five years.  At this time, investors wanted not only the tax write off, but also the status that these horses symbolized.  Potential investors were wined and dined and educated on the tax advantages of the Arabian horses as an investment.  The opulent auctions, that investors attended, had state of the art lighting, fog machines, performances by popular singing artists, and a luxurious atmosphere that allowed these magnificent horses to be showcased in an opulent atmosphere.  At the pinnacle of their popularity, Lasma would even give away a new Cadillac to the highest bidder at their auctions.  Banks became involved and interested in this “living art” as a commodity, and began helping buyers finance the horses.  Once a high selling horse was purchased, pictures were placed in all of the important magazines and newspapers.  Private parties and other photo opportunities created a fast paced exciting and tantalizing atmosphere.  New buyers were needed in order to keep the enthusiasm and selling prices high.  Many celebrities got involved.  Non celebrities or “newbies” were attracted in order to be involved with the exclusive parties and be part of the “in crowd.”

During this period, an imported stallion of Russian breeding, Padron, was syndicated for the unheard of price of $11 million dollars.  He went on to sire many National champions and sired over 700 progeny.  Many *Bask sons and daughters also set high records at the auctions.  Unfortunately, often times the price paid was not truly reflective of the value of the equine.   Promoters and trainers would often combine training, and breedings to their stallions, into the total cost.  Many lawsuits and allegations of impropriety followed.
People rushed to purchase these beautiful horses, each one hoping that they would sell the next high priced or syndicated horse.

In just four years between 1982 and 1986 100,000 Arabians were registered in the U.S.  This is more horses registered than in the sixty five years previous.  In 1965 11,000 Americans owned Arabians, and by 1986 the number was 110,000.
Unfortunately the Tax Reform Act of 1986 brought this gravy train to a screeching halt.  Legislators passed laws that no longer allowed the full deprecation and expensing of horses.  Both the Arabian market and the Race Horse Industries were hit hard by these new laws.  Unfortunately, the horses suffered the most as many who had sold for six figures ended up being dumped at low end auctions and sold for a fraction of their previous selling price.


Registrations dropped considerably, the foreign market dropped, and prices plummeted.  Lasma liguidated its stock in Arizona and Kentucky.   Breeding businesses collapsed and registration slowed considerably.
While thousands of people got out of the business of breeding Arabians, there were those who were passionate about the breed, and stuck it out.  Many horse people viewed the crash as a good turn for the Arabian horses as a whole.  The new market, albiet smaller, created better horses and focused on the excellence of  the horses themselves, not the possible financial advantages.

Although the Arabian market still struggles, the market overseas, especially in the Middle East is robust.  Some horses still bring the six figures and stud fees can compete with those from the 1980’s.  But they are the rare horses.  Here in the states, a market for amateur sport horses has taken root, and a show called the Sport Horse National Championship Horse Show that features Anglo-Arabs, Half-Arabs, and full blooded Arabians is put on by the Arabian Horse Association each year.  USEF and USDF carded judges choose winners in classes such as dressage, working hunters, jumpers, conformation and carriage driving.  Eventing has also become popular amongst Arab Sport horse owners.

This movement towards performance horses is more affordable for the average horse owner because a professional trainer need not be involved.  This gives people a more financially feasible way to enjoy and show at regional and national shows.


There are more registered Arabian horses in the United States than all other countries combined.  An unbelievable 67% are used for recreational purposes only.  The average selling price of an Arabian in the U.S. today is $5,000.00; however, there are those people who still believe that their horse is worth six figures and that they will be the next big syndicator or seller.  Top show horses, of course, sell for considerably more money.

But those who love this kind, intelligent, elegant and beautiful breed of horse look far past the dollar signs.  There passion creates Arabians that hold true to the excellence of the breed for today and for future generations.

The Arabian Horse

Graceful elegance, flowing mane and tail, nostrils blowing, hooves dance across the ground barely touching as if wings keep them afloat.  This is the Arabian.

A large liquid brown eye, beautiful dished profile, small curved ears, large efficient nostrils, and supple graceful movement are some of the characteristics of this magnificent breed of horse.

The Arabian horse evolved in the deserts of the Middle East. They were raised by the Bedouins on the Arabian Peninsula, and were bred to be war horses that had great stamina, and could travel long distances on very little food or water.  Often the nomads had to share not only their food and water but even their living quarters with these horses, consequently, they have a close affinity to people.  They are also extremely sensitive and intelligent. 

The Bedouins were highly discerning when it came to their breeding practices, as the amount and quality of horses, was a reflection of their wealth.  Because of this, these beautiful equines have become highly prized throughout the world.

The bloodlines of the Arab directly or indirectly run through every modern breed of horse today.  It is the oldest known breed of riding horse in the world. 

Bev Gray riding her Arabian in an endurance race

Today, the unmistakable elegance of the Arabian horse is displayed in many diverse disciplines, both English and Western, and they dominate the sport of endurance.

George Washington, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Alexander the Great, and many other notable leaders from around the world have all ridden Arabians.

Stamina, beauty, grace and intelligence are words used to describe this breed of horse that has captured the hearts of people all over the world.  

How Infrared Light Helps Heal Back Pain

Often time poor movement can be traced to back injuries.  Back soreness can be caused by an accident, poor conditioning, or work that is too strenuous.  Stiff, torn, strained, or sore muscles can all benefit from infrared light therapy treatments.  

 

This is how it works:  The photons from the light are absorbed by the injured cells of the body.  The light therapy stimulates new capillary formation, which in turn takes much needed oxygen and nutrients to damaged cells.  Collagen repairs muscles, and endorphins manage pain.  Infrared light therapy increases the metabolic process which removes the waste materials and reduces swelling, while increasing the blood supply to areas that are suffering from injury or lactic acid build up after a workout.  Muscles repair more rapidly and a horse can get back to work more quickly.  If a horse has taken a fall or experienced any other type of accident, it can lead to complications.  Be sure to consult a veterinarian in these instances.  However, no matter what the damage, infrared light therapy can help.

     

If your horse is suffering from back pain, consider using the fast healing action of infrared light therapy, to get them comfortable and working again.