Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show News for Saturday, February 20, 2016
Today’s Official Scottsdale Daily News is sponsored byPegasus Arabians and Sandspur Ranch, owned by Dean and Terri Wikel. Sandspur Ranch is a very special place of history. It was once the home of the legendary stallion Padron. Today, under the care of the Wikels, it once again is home to international champions and national champion producers. This year, Dean and Terri Wikel are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Pegasus Arabians. For more than two decades, the Wikels have quietly created a very special breeding program, which has produced far too many champions to count. Their success has earned them the titles of Breeders National Finals, Breeder of the Year, three years in a row; Arabian Breeders World Cup, Breeder of the Year; and they are also nominated for the Arabian Horse Times, Breeder of the Year.
The Wikels are inviting everyone to a presentation welcoming back their international champion stallion Cadance PA (Cavalli x Donatella). This handsome colt is a show ring beast – he loves to show and his pedigree is incredibly strong with lines to Versace on both his sire and dam line, Two lines to Padrons Psyche and also includes such greats as Bey Shah, El Shaklan and El Moraduke. His success as a sire shows early promise with two Scottsdale Champions from his first foal crop. Sriracha PA, out of Perfection PA, was Unanimous Champion Yearling Filly and Breeders Club Top Ten Auction Filly and Premier PA, out of Irresistable PA, was the Unanimous Champion Yearling Colt, Breeders Club as well as a finalist in the SSS Yearling Colts – the final outcome will be determined in the championships on Sunday afternoon.
Friday was a great day at the Scottsdale show with exciting classes in both halter and performance. In the Halter Championships at the Al Shahania Wendell Arena we saw exciting competitors from America and abroad including the lovely Gazal Al Shaqab daughter, Perfirka, owned by the Ames family, Dick, Lollie and Lara Ames and presented by David Boggs. The Golden One – national and international champion Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Sienna Psyche), bred by Ruth and Michael Doe, owned Al Shahania Stud and presented by Michael Byatt.Also among the international champions was World Gold Champion Stallion Kahil al Shaqab (Marwan Al Shaqab x OFW Mishaahl), bred and owned by Al Shaqab Member Qatar Foundation. The championships on Sunday will be super exciting!
One of the most special moments of the day was the opening of the evening classes at the AutoNation Equidome – the touching tribute to Sheila Varian. Sheila is battling cancer and could not attend the show this year – but was watching via the live feed. She got a standing ovation and everyone put their arms in the air in the shape of a “V” for Varian. It was an incredible moment – I only ope that Sheila could feel the love for her that filled the arena. Then there was a presentation of Varian bred horses. They represented a variety of disciplines from Halter to western to hunt and English – it is incredible hope influential this one woman has been and how her dreams have shaped this entire breed on a global basis. There was also a demonstration for the Arabian Horseman's Distress Fund showing how they contribute to riding programs for the March of Dimes. A group of youngsters who attend the camps for children with issues arising from premature births came out riding Arabian horses led by handlers and each with spotters on either side to ensure their safety in case they lost their balance. You could see the joy and pride on their faces to be the center of attention.
Special Events today include: Paint a Pony at 9:00 am in the South Hall, Camel Rides begin at 10:00, Behind the Scenes Barn Tours run all day, Meet an Arabian from 10:30-11:30 at the South Hall, Liberty Wildlife Live Animal Display at the North Hall runs all day, The Perfect Fit – The Arabian and Your Lifestyle with Cindy Reich in the South Hall at noon, Dog Training Demonstration by Neal Mestas in the South Hall at 2:30 and the Lisa Seger Insurance Dog Costume Class and Dog Race. That is all in addition to more fun classes and competitions. Come on out and enjoy the day with the most beautiful horses on earth – the Arabian. See YOU ring side!
Thanks to the official show photographers, Howard Schatzberg/Rick Osteen Photography.
Be sure to stop by the booth to order your Scottsdale photos.
