Most riders will stumble upon a heart horse in their career — one that captures their imagination, teaches them how to be a better horse person and fills their heart with gratitude. For Langley local Ariya Dinwoodie it happened at age four when she helped her mother, Sarah, select a BC-bred Oldenburg foal at Dreamscape Farms.

Mom’s hope was that the foal would be her daughter’s future show horse. “The whole goal was for me to bring a horse up for her, because we can’t afford to buy a $150,000 horse. So we thought we’d try to make one,” explained Sarah.

Eight years later, that dream is being realized — and in spectacular style. Now 12-year-old Ariya made her first rated show appearance on Dramatic DSF, aka “Rosie,” at tbird’s Spring Festival and won their derby debut.

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