Aurora, CO - Darker N Bey (NV Beau Bey x Spot N The Dark) and Leprachaun SCR (Pachole x Bekkah Ambrielle) were both recently recognized with Ambassador Awards for outstanding achievement in representing the Arabian horse community to the general public. The two geldings achieved unique accomplishments that showcased the breed outside the show ring.
Darker N Bey “Darker” connects with children and senior citizens at camps, horse shows, and charity events, but perhaps relates best to children with disabilities. Suffering several serious medical emergencies as a colt, including a fractured skull and a massive infection, Darker seemed to act out with bad behavior and a refusal to learn some of the tricks that owner Jan Sharp was so eager to teach.
In what seemed like a rare moment of transcendence, Darker walked out of his stall one day and started performing the tricks on his own. “I’d given up trying to teach him tricks, but apparently, he’d been thinking about them. Clearly, there was more to this horse than met the eye,” says Sharp.
“I discovered that it was the telling of his story that could be an inspiration to others. His mother died when he was young, in the beginning he was timid and shy and things scared him. He’s been through several surgeries and we weren’t sure what his talents would be – all things that many kids can relate to,” explains Sharp.
“Darker brings honor and recognition to the Arabian breed in a way that no show ribbon could ever compete with,” says AHA member Bob Claymier. “It is his Arabian strength of character that typifies what we all love about these animals.”
Leprachaun SCR or “Leppie” is probably most well known for his work on the trail with the Rancho Cucamonga Equestrian Patrol, part of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and for his many parade and event appearances.
Leppie connects with trail users in isolated locations that deputies can’t normally access. “We met Leppie on the trail when I was trying to find someone to help my son learn to ride. Amanda and Leprachaun jumped at the opportunity. We have ridden together all over Southern California, camping and trail riding with friends,” says AHA member Katherine Bergreen. “Leprachaun is one of the best horses that I know.”
Leppie also loves to be in a crowd where he can get attention from children. “Our biggest representation of the Arabian breed has been through the televised broadcast of the 2010 and 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade,” says owner Amanda Waterfield-Gibson. Leppie has also participated in the Ontario 4th of July parade, the Rancho Cucamonga Founder’s Day parade, L.A. County Fair parade and more. But Leppie also serves as an important training tool for service personnel. With Leppie’s help, animal control officers learn to handle horses and firefighters and emergency response teams learn to apply large animal lifts and Anderson Slings, both used to extricate stuck or downed horses.
To find out more about the Ambassador Award, including past winners, click http://www.arabianhorses.org/activities/recognition/international.asp.