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| LEAH'S STORY......... I have two passions in my life: Arabian Horses and Dancing. My journey with Arabians began the summer of 1988 with my first horse, a twenty-one year old show gelding named "Sunriff". He truly was a great friend and teacher. Not only did Sunriff teach me the true meaning of friendship, honesty and compassion...but even at 21, he was a horse that gave me his all. I earned my first blue ribbon on Sunriff. He genuinely was an Ambassador to the Arabian horse breed. Follow your dreams, for as you dream you will become. -Anonymous Four years after Sunriff, I bought a three-month old Arabian gelding and began a lifelong devotion to promoting the breed. I have always loved the Native Costume Class, the amazing excitement I feel as horse and rider gallop around the arena with their costumes trailing behind them is indescribable. When I was younger I remember seeing a belly dancer dancing away. Enamored by how her costume shimmered as she shook and how beautiful she looked dancing all around, the attraction was inevitable. I started belly dancing with a local teacher and as I've progressed and grew from amateur to advanced dancer, and advanced to professional horsewoman I thought to myself, 'wouldn't it be neat to combine the two?'. At the 2001 Equine Affaire in Springfield, MA a friend of mine, Cindy Stylianos of Achaen Arabians, had a few horses and a stall display setup like an Egyptian Tent so I offered to dance as an addition to her decor. As my veil twirled people started gathering around to watch in awe while I moved with the music. Someone suggested bringing out a horse and it wasn't long before I was dancing with "Hameen", of Point~O~View Farm, as my first partner. Over the years, Equine Affaire has become a regular venue and hot spot to recreationally find me belly dancing with the Arabians at the Region 16 booth with "WG Priority One" a Straight Egyptian stallion owned by Joan Stone of Stone Image Arabians. Based on the enjoyment I get from dancing with the horses, and the enthusiasm and illumination I witness in my viewers eyes, I have embarked on this new path. Along the way I hope to present the Arabian horse in a new and unique way that emphasizes their personalities and demonstrates their versatility, all while offering a fun and entertaining experience. I hope you enjoy my 'Stylistic Impressions thru Dance with Horses'. Leah |
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