Randi and her Half Arabian/Half Quarter Horse mare, IMPS Sugar Memory ("Sugar")
Randi, My Dream C, and Dream's filly, HHA American Dream (name pending), a.k.a "Indy"
Hi, and thank you for visiting my website! Please allow me to introduce myself and tell you about the road I traveled to get here.
I have loved horses and other animals, since I was a young girl. My sister tells the story of how she and my mother would have to read me a book called Robert the Rose Horse by Joan Heilbroner; about a horse that was allergic to roses, over and over again, ad nauseum! Horses, in general, captivate me, however, the beauty, fire, athleticism, intelligence, kind nature, and sensitivity of the Arabian horse drew me to it and kept me there. I purchased my first horse, a 3 1/2 year-old purebred rose grey Arabian gelding in 1989. He and I enjoyed quite a few trail rides together! What a personality and a rocking horse canter!
Due to a short-lived marriage, I had to rebuild my life. I am a much stronger person because of it and would not be where I am now if that had not occurred. I decided then that I would pursue my dreams and do what makes me happy, so that I would not regret it later in life. One of my dreams was to breed Arabian horses. I sold my gelding in 2003 when he was 17 and purchased three quality mares --- ALL beautiful, and all of different type, age, and bloodlines. One of the mares I purchased from Coleal Arabian Horse Farm actually has a registered name of My Dream C! I thought that was appropriate! Mattazar was purchased from Moongate Ranch and IMPS Sugar Memory was purchased from Van Nostern Arabians Inc.
I owned the horses, but did not have the expertise. A former barn mate gave me trainer Pat Eldridge's name and I moved my horses to be under his care and training, as two of my mares, Mattazar and My Dream C, were not broken to ride! That transition occurred around October of 2005. In spring of 2006, we started taking my Palomino mare, IMPS Sugar Memory, and my youngest bay mare, My Dream C, to A rated shows in Region 16 (New England). Right off the bat, Pat and Sugar won Western Pleasure Open classes!
I am learning about the show circuit, (I am always learning something and always plan to - in fact, I recently learned how to build this website!) and in the process, learning how to show! I am thrilled that at the recent Arabian Adventure Series horse show at the New Jersey Horse Park in Allentown, New Jersey, My Dream C won the Arabian Mares Halter Championship class with Pat handling her! At that same show, I handled my horses in the Adult Amateur to Handle Halter class and My Dream C again won first place! I have yet to stop pinching myself! I had learned how to show in halter by observing Pat and going to a clinic hosted by Jody LaSalle at Classic Training Centre, LLC. Renown halter expert, Troy White, and Josh Quintus of Colonial Wood Training Center, Inc. demonstrated, gave advice, and tutored. Thank you all! I practiced with Sugar and Dream for the FIRST time the week prior to the show!!!!! Next challenge for me is to start riding in the show ring. A goal for the 2007 show season!
The good news is that both IMPS Sugar Memory and My Dream C are qualified for the US Nationals, which take place for the last time in Louisville, Kentucky in October 2006. We plan to be there! My other mare, Mattazar, may go to her first show in New Hampshire in August of 2006 and we'll see how she does from there. She was coming along well in training, but then developed a cough and we had to let her rest for a while. She is better now! A beautiful mover; I can't wait to see her in the show ring! *** UPDATE *** Pat and Mattazar won a first place ribbon at the Deerfield, New Hampshire show in the Purebred Hunter Pleasure Maiden class!!!!!!
Other exciting news is that My Dream C and Mattazar are in foal to Pat's 23 year-old bay stallion named Starspangle Baner! Another first for me! I am very excited and look forward to seeing the foals next spring! I'll place pictures on the website when the babies arrive! *** UPDATE *** My Dream C delivered her first foal, a beautiful bay filly, on 3/10/2007 and Mattazar delivered a handsome chestnut colt on 4/25/2007! See their pics on the Foals page!
In closing, I have to tell you that this particular dream of mine (I have others!) is becoming reality due to the hard work and dedication of Pat Eldridge and the people surrounding him. We truly are a team, and I feel we have also become family. Each and every one of you deserves to be recognized: Pat Eldridge, Steve Eldridge, Kasey Brann, her mother, Laura, and husband, Cliff, Shannon Pleines, Sanna Piispanen, Patti-Jean Fraser, Gina Rivezzi, Irene McMorrow and son Eric, Cassidy Narcawicz, Ryan Michaud, and Alana Haraguchi. Thank you all for the wonderful care, grooming, and love you give to my horses, for riding them in shows because my horses are too good for me to ride at the moment, and for your insight, guidance, encouragement, friendship, support, and belief in me and in my "girls." Judy Boyle, thank you for introducing me to Pat and pointing me in the right direction! Marianne Romanowski-Fazzina, I thank you for selling me Mr. Zapper, my first horse, and truly starting me on this journey. My mother, Faye --- you are a rock. I admire your business sense, creativity, determination, and undying support. You have taught me these qualities and more. Thank you so much. Love you! My brothers Mitch, Scott, and sister, Lynne --- thank you for ALWAYS being there for me. I love you! What a ride it has been so far (pun definitely intended) and this is only the beginning!
For those reading this, I encourage you, too, young or old, to live your dreams. Go! Git ON yer High Horse!
Warm regards and all the best,
Randi Karson