For the Love of Arabians — An Occasional Series on Saint Therese Employees

She received her first Arabian horse at age 11, named Aran. That was when Amy became an ardent lover of the breed, with historic roots on the Arabian Peninsula and a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest modern breeds.

“I love Arabians because they’re beautiful, majestic, bigger than life and personable,” said Amy. “They are very people-oriented, curious and they show affection.”

Amy had an Arabian trainer and began showing her horse at 4H events as a kid. The trainers would let her help out in the barns; she’d brush the horses and once in a while they’d let her go to upper-level rated horse shows. “Watching was so neat. It turned into a full-blown passion.”

But that passion had to be put on hold while Amy attended Marquette University in Milwaukee. Seven years later, and within two weeks of graduating with a master’s in physical therapy, she bought a new horse.

Amy showing one of her Arabians

In her 30’s, Amy reached a skill level where she was showing at regional competitions and in her 40’s, she progressed to showing at the U.S. Arabian National Horse Show. Over the past ten years, she has consistently been in the top ten equestrians in the U.S. for her age group and discipline. (The rider and her horse are judged by the overall quality of movement, manners and execution of the gaits asked for – walk, trot, canter. And the quality of the transition, movement, and consistency.) She was thrilled when she won her first national championship in 2017.



“It was my dream,” said Amy.

Maddy showing her horse

And now that dream has become her daughter’s. Eighteen-year-old Maddy lives and breathes horses. She also started riding when she was five and quickly moved up the show ranks to where she was competing at the regional and national level by the time she was 12. She now has three national championships and has been nominated as the top western pleasure youth rider of the year twice. This month, Maddy is competing at the U.S. Arabian Youth Nationals Show in Oklahoma City, July 18-27. This is her last year competing at youth nationals as she will be “aging out” and moving into the adult amateur division next year.

Said Amy, “My daughter is an amazing rider; she is much better than I am. I love watching her show.”