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.
We caught up with Ariya and Sarah to hear more about their journey.
You were only four when you helped your mom pick this horse, Ariya. What do you remember about the first time you saw Rosie?
Ariya: My mom was looking to buy a foal, so I came with her to Dreamscape Farms. I saw Rosie and I said, ‘You should buy this one.’ I liked her because she was very friendly and she looked like she was black and I really wanted a black horse, but it turns out she’s just a really dark chestnut.
[Once she was old enough to start training] my mom and Kristen Johnson started her and then Cheryl Keith showed her in the Pre-Green and Baby Green divisions and did some derbies. My mom showed her up to the 3’ Adult Amateur hunters. Last year she was leased to [junior rider] Sylvie Haas and [her trainer] Elizabeth Nelson at Legacy Hunter Jumper and they took her all around the USA, which really helped with her training to get her ready for me. I couldn’t really ride her before—I had to wait a long time so I could get stronger because she was lazy.
Sarah, what was Dramatic like to develop as a young horse?
Sarah: She was pretty simple, but of course she’s a boss mare. She shows every emotion. If you leg her, her ears go back. She doesn’t like other horses. At the beginning, the warm up ring used to be pretty hard—she’d get so distracted from the other horses. Sometimes, we’d skip the warmup and just go in the ring and do a low round and hope for the best because she gives you her full concentration when she’s in the room alone. She’s gotten much better about it with age and experience.
We decided to lease her out last year because Ariya wasn’t quite ready for her and she was foot shorter. She’s grown a lot. But we’d see Rosie at the horse shows, and Ariya has been dreaming about getting her back. Now it’s all worked out.
Talk a bit about your reunion. How does it feel to have her back and what’s she like in the barn?
Ariya: I love her! I was really happy to see her come back. I started riding Rosie in November. She’s been really good. She’s more lazy at the barn. She kind of wakes up at the horse show. She can be funny sometimes. She’s not very nice to other horses, but she’s nice to people and she knows her job at the horse show. She knows how to get down the lines.
She likes Stud Muffins. My mom taught her how to smile, so she smiles every time to get a treat. She likes outside rings better than indoor rings. Sometimes it can be hard for me to get her cantering, but when she sees the jump, she’s good.
You two made your derby debut on Saturday in the tbird Hunter Teams Challenge. Was it extra pressure to ride your first derby together on a team?
Ariya: I was really excited to wear tails for the first time! I wasn’t actually as nervous as I thought I would be. I was mainly nervous for the course because I was scared I was going to forget it. I knew that Rosie could do it and the jumps weren’t that big so I knew I could do it. I was a bit worried that I was going to let my team down but it turned out all okay.
A little better than all okay, I’d say. Your team won against nine other teams.
Ariya: I got the highest score in the 2’6” round. We did all the high options too.
Sarah: After the Derby, she said: “I love you so much to Rosie. We’re never selling her.” She was so happy.
Mom, is it more or less nerve wracking watching Ariya on a horse you developed?
Sarah: I’ve known Rosie since she was a foal, so I trust her. She never stops. She goes for it, no matter what. I mean, I’m sure I’ll be a more of a wreck when the jumps get to 3′ and up, but I just know the horse so well, so it’s awesome. It was so amazing to see my two babies out there all grown up.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for the summer show season?
Ariya: I hope we can go up to 3′ and I’ll probably do some jumpers to work towards the equitation classes in August or September, like the Good Hands & Seat or the Mini Medal. She’s really a good hunter, but I think she can do the lower level jumpers. She’s never done a 3’6” round before, but maybe we’ll try it one day next year.
We look forward to watching you two progress this summer!
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