Arabian Sport Horses in the Show Ring: Performance

Arabian horses are the most versatile of all the breeds, competing in eventing/huntseat, racing, western pleasure, English and country English pleasure, endurance racing, trail competitions, jumping, and even open dressage. Not only do they demonstrate extraordinary athletic ability, but their kind and gentle attitudes have made them horses that the whole family can enjoy. And if you don't believe they're smart, just try to get them to do something that they perceive as unfair. You do not ride your Arabian, you enlist their cooperation! You are a team, a partnership.

Whispering Oaks Arabians, home of TLA Halynov (16.2h), has been producing sport horse champions for race, performance classes, and dressage for over 15 years. Our arabian stallion TLA Halynov's show record is impressive, although cut short by an injury.

In 1994 we took Hal out of the breeding barn and off of the trails to the Legendary trainer Jeff Wonnell. He was so impressed with Halynov's conformation and movement that he convinced us to bring Hal to Scottsdale to compete in the hunter division after only four months of formal training. Prior to that time, Halynov had just been ridden by Bette and Mark on trail with the kids and their horses. Hal's favorite thing was to be let out in an all out run in the field at the end of the trail. It was like riding a powerful locamotive -- really thrilling! He was always a gentleman with the kids' horses -- even when they were in heat -- and inevitably wound up right in front of him.

Hal took Top Five Hunter Pleasure, in his "practice" show, with Jeff Wonnell's talented protégé, Kris Brutoco.

Halynov and Will Take Champion Jumper Region II

Jeff used jumps for morning warm-ups (Hal free-jumped in the indoor arena over cavelletis while Jeff sipped his morning java). Jeff created a monster as Hal could not get enough jumps, the higher the better. He was spotted by International Olympic Champion Will Venter who asked if we would consider letting him train Halynov for the Atlanta Games in 1995. After only two months training, Will took Halynov to Santa Barbara Horse Show in 1995 to get him used to crowds and different jumps -- a "practice show." Just imagine our excitement when Halynov won Region II Jumper Championship, defeating the many times U.S.Reserve Champion Jezebel! Mark had tears in his eyes for the first time since our first-born was born!

Before Will could realize his dream of showing the first Purebred Arabian jumper in the Olympics (representing Zimbabwe), Hal suffered a stone bruise. It erupted into an abscess at Stacie's Santa Barbara Horse Show and subsequent became a very serious quarter-crack, ending his horse show career and Stacie's hopes of winning with him at Nationals. He must now look to his offspring to fulfill the vision. Halynov consoled himself with trail riding and breeding. What a guy!

TLA Halynov began his horse show career at age four with two horse show halter wins:
First Place at Whittier four year old stallions and Champion Stallion at Del Mar the same year: 1989.

We next concentrated on getting Halynov's offspring known. As babies, Halynov's offspring competed in halter classes. In 1990 we showed his get and won Top Ten Cal-Bred with two of his yearling fillies plus Get of Sire at the Arabian Horse Show in Santa Barbara. Frankly speaking, we were abhorred by the cruel practices of some of the leading halter trainers of the time. Shortly after Mamma Mia had won Champion Mare at our mid-state show, we discontinued sending our horses to halter trainers and concentrated on performance and Amateur-Owner-to-Show classes. We have marketed our offspring to buyers looking for performance horses, such as hunter, jumper, sporthorse, dressage, and endurance competitors, as well as families looking for great all-around friends.

(805) 239-ARAB (2722) -- (805) 239-2722 fax
Whispering Oaks Arabians
P.O. Box 482
Creston, CA 93432
E-mail:

Click on icon to send us E-mail