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small breeders and amateurs kept the breed true to its character. They have exhibited the Arabian horse in many local and national competitions, letting the world see just what the breed is all about.

Many Arabian horses have shown that the breed is not limited to competing against their just their own. By facing the challenge of open breed horse shows, horse races and various trials and competitions, the Arabian horse has stood successfully in the winner's circle many times.

Within their own breed, Arabian horses compete in classes such as Halter, English, Western, Hunter and Jumper, Native Costume, Polo competitions, Cutting, Roping, Youth Classes, Driving and Harness, Trail Riding, Horse Racing as well as every day working cattle ranches and many times is the favorite ride of children.

The Arabian breed is one of the only breeds to allow children to compete showing stallions. Because of their trusting nature and intuitive trait of knowing who's holding the reins, the Arabian horse is often times seen under the saddle of a youth.

There have been many that have shown the world just what the Arabian horse can achieve. Whether it's competing in the Olympics or the Reining Competitions in the world of the western riders, the Arabian horse has won championships in many open competitions.

In 1961, a then unknown rider, Sheila Varian, stunned the Quarter Horse world when she brought her Arabian from her ranch in California. The mare, Ronteza, competed in the World Cow Reining Championship against some of the top-rated Quarter Horses of their day. Scoffed and ridiculed, Sheila ignored the barbs and silenced the whispers by winning the world championship with a field of over fifty other horses from various breeds, most of them Quarter Horses, with her little Arabian mare.

For over forty years, Sheila Varian became one of the top rated riders and trainers that broke the barrier by showing her Arabian horses in both the Quarter Horse and Arabian horse competitions. She often attributes her 2003 induction into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame to her Arabian horses.

Other Arabians have gone on to compete and win many championships of the Tevis Cup Ride, which is a 100 mile one-day race held every year across the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.
Since 1955, the Arabian horse has dominated the Tevis Cup competition almost every year, winning first place in the race 84% of the time. The Haggin Cup Trophy is given to the horses that finish the race in the best physical condition. The Arabian horse has captured that trophy 72% of the time since 1955.

By achieving championships in competitions in which no one gave them a chance, the Arabian horse has demonstrated that their versatility can rise to the occasion time and time again. The Arabian horse can master many challenges placed before it successfully and willingly.

Though the debate of which breed of horse is most competitive will rage on, no one can deny that the Arabian horse has successfully made their mark on the horse world.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Schrader.
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