The Story of Taylor & AJ

Annapolis (AJ) came to us to expand his sport horse talents and learn to jump.   Already a great athlete, he seemed to have all the goods to expand into the hunter/jumper ring. Utilizing our two on one trainer/rider system, he began his jumping career with assistant rider Cari Carter.   Looking towards AiM Classic/ Region 4 Championships, we had two months to teach him how to jump, do sport horse under saddle as a hunter, plus keep him up on his Dressage.   During the process we found out that Cari was pregnant, and Region 4 would be her last show riding for a while.   He was coming along so well, we decided to push our luck and see if 13 year old Taylor Bowman, (whose legal showing age is 12) might be a match for him.   The two of them had already fallen in love, and she was dying to ride him.    She did not have a purebred to show, and Jeff and Janet agreed. 

It was such an unusual situation, none of us knew if it was even actually legal for a 12 year old junior to show a stallion!   So after checking the rules, onward we went.   Time was short and Taylor and AJ only got 2 rides together before the AiM classic and Region 4 show, but sometimes things just click, and are meant to be.   This was one of those times.   They were amazing together.  

After winning their ATR Hunter Hack class, they went on to win one of the most competitive classes of the horse show,  a 12 horse Arabian Sport Horse under Saddle ATR- beating some well known and competitive pairs. They also took the junior Sport Horse Under Saddle class.  They went on the next day to post a regional championship in Hunter Hack ATR, a Reserve Championship in Sport Horse Under Saddle ATR, and 2 Dressage Top Fives.   AJ and Cari also did well with another Regional  Championship and Top Five.  

Naturally we made the quick decision to let Taylor and AJ pursue their destiny at Sport Horse Nationals, and are looking forward to seeing what they can do with another month of practice under their belts.   It continues to be a pleasure to watch them together.

I have to say that for me personally as a trainer, this has been a fantastic thing for me to be a part of.  Never has a horse moved me this much with his willingness and heart.  What a terrific ambassador for the Arabian Stallion, and the Arabian Sport Horse.   I am excited to include Annapolis in my breeding program for next year.

Good luck to Taylor and AJ at this year’s Sport Horse Nationals.  They may be one of the youngest horse/rider combinations at this SHN, with a combined age of 19, and probably the only Junior rider / Stallion combination;  fun to watch!  We wish them luck and look forward to the continuation of their ‘Cinderella’ story.



READ ABOUT SPORT HORSE NATIONALS HERE