JAG Royal Knight "Knight"
2022 GAHA Ambassador Award Winner
Owned by GAHA Member Kathy Gilker
JAG Royal Knight (AHA #326957 - USEF #4976191 - GHJA #24015) “Knight” is a 25 year old Half Arabian, 13.2 hh gelding born February 8, 1997. He was bred and is owned by Kathy Gilker in Milton or Alpharetta, GA. He is out of JAG Silhouette, by Pulask - a son of the Donoghue bred stallion Pulque++ (Skorage x Rohanna).
Both sire and dam were owned by Kathy Gilker. Knight is 2nd generation of Kathy’s breeding program. Knight no doubt received his correct movement, kind eye, sweet, willing to please, and wonderful personality from his Arabian dam, Silhouette. Knight was started under saddle by Kathy and finished his training with her daughter, Jessica, who was 13 at the time. He was born to be a versatile, athletic family horse. Knight has been ridden by 100+ riders - young and old - throughout his lifetime helping teach them good riding skills and good horsemanship and allowing them to get to know an Arabian bred horse closely.
In 2019, Knight attended BreyerFest in Lexington, KY where he greeted and helped earn the love of the Arabian breed with hundreds of families each day through riding demonstrations and Meet & Greets. There were over 20,000 attendees at this sold out event.
Knight has been used for professional photo shoots for Stirrups Clothing Company for their catalogs, James Hill Photography, Brenna Weaver of Superlative Equine for Total Saddle Fit (a girth company) and Equestrian Noire™ for maternity photo shoots.
Coaches of riders have always enjoyed having Knight at their farms as he can work with any level of rider and many have requested to have him for their students over the years. Knight has been shown on the open local level all-breed hunter and open USEF/USHJA rated hunter circuit being an incredible ambassador for the breed at those competitions. Over his 8+ years on the open circuit competing against Warmblood, Thoroughbreds and other breeds he was successful with over 11 different youth riders in both USEF/USHJA rated and local shows in hunters, medal classes, derbies and equitation. He was often shown by beginners or first time competitors and sometimes riders who only first met him at the shows. His show career began at local open hunter and combined training shows at 5 years old, then at Arabian Horse Association shows in 2003, but his talent for going against non-Arabians on the open hunter circuit has been undeniable. He was often the only Arabian bred horse at these shows so he helped other equestrians have a real-life, in person experience with an Arabian bred horse and helped start their love of the Arabian horse!
One of the highest points of Knight’s open competition career is his 2014 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals (in Lexington, KY) in 19th place in Green Medium Ponies out of 70 ponies with youth rider Anna Tootle. As far as we are aware, he was the only Arabian bred pony in the Medium Green Pony division that year and the only placing registered Arabian bred hunter. He placed 13th in Medium Green Pony Over Fences. You can see their video of the over fences round at: https://youtu.be/njy9BU2iMJU
In 2014, Knight received Champion Medium Pony Hunter at GHJA Finals with Anna Tootle. He was also 2014 Reserve Champion High Scoring Horse of the ENTIRE GHJA Finals competition against all the different breeds competing. In 2015, he received 4th Place Local Medium Pony Hunter with his lessee at the time. Knight also received 2016 Schooling Pony Champion with Anna Tootle, which earned his name to be permanently engraved on a perpetual trophy for the Georgia Hunter Jumper Association. With his name on the trophy he will continue to remind those of an Arabian horse’s athleticism for the hunter division.
Between 2003-2006 Knight participated on and off in Interscholastic (IHSA) and Intercollegiate (IEA) lessons and shows where high school and college riders who had never met Knight before competed with him on the flat and over fences in equitation. His smooth movement and willing personality made him a favorite in these association lessons and competitions. Again, Knight was typically the only Arabian bred horse at these shows.
Knight has also been a central part of the barn open houses at the private, family farm J.A.G. Arabian Sport Horses to help promote the Arabian Horse. He has been ridden by over 30 riders through a free riding opportunity at his owner’s private, family farm. Many of these equestrians hadn’t been in the saddle for many years. This has helped introduce even more individuals to the Arabian Horse who would have otherwise not had that opportunity to get to know an Arabian Horse one-on-one hands on. Alone in 2022, he has met over 90 individuals in our local community.
Knight has been an ideal partner for bareback riding, hunter paces, trail riding and cross country rides as well. He is an all-around athletic and versatile horse. Knight’s quality, intelligence, work ethic, athleticism, movement, soundness, curiosity, willingness, trainability, and understanding of and patience with inexperienced riders or handlers are all traits that make him the hallmark and wonderful ambassador of the Arabian breed. We would go as far to say that Knight has been incredibly generous during his 25 years in offering his patience and willingness to interact with so many people throughout his lifetime. Knight is truly that “unicorn” that helps not just represent, but highlight the incredible Arabian Horse everywhere he goes.
How?
Requirements to be Eligible:
- Horse must be owned by a current Georgia Arabian Horse Association member the year it is nominated for and the owner must be a member in good standing.
- Nominations must be submitted by no later than November 16th, 2020
- Nominations must include at least three (3) letters of recommendation - minimum of two (2) nomination letters must be submitted by current GAHA members in good standing. You are welcome to include one page of photos, one page with the horse's biography/resume, and maximum two pages per recommendation letter. Maximum of total pages submitted should be 10. Please make note of which recommendation letters are submitted by AHA/GAHA members.
- You must include the horse's registered name, AHA registration number, and owner's name.
- Nomination to be submitted to info@georgia-arabian.com
- Winner will be selected by majority vote by the GAHA Board and award sponsors.
- If no eligible horses are submitted, an award will not be given for that year.
Why?
In line with the Arabian Horse Association Ambassador Award, the Georgia Arabian Horse Association would like to recognize a local Arabian, Half Arabian or Anglo-Arabian that best represents the Arabian breed's diversity, versatility, athleticism, and friendliness while also promoting the Arabian breed outside the Arabian community to the general public or general equestrian community. We believe that every single horse can make a huge impact for the future of the breed!
What?
The horse must have achieved an unique accomplishment or have been involved in demonstration(s) that showcase(s) the Arabian breed in order to be eligible. It must have been acknowledged and promoted that the horse was a representative of the Arabian breed in some form as well (for example: Banner, sign, or flyer, etc. displayed at event and/or promotion prior to event or demonstration, etc.).
Purpose
To educate & support the breed locally through education, outreach & community with their Arabian horse. Furthermore, to recognize those who take the time to share their passion and knowledge of the Arabian horse with others! We believe that every single horse can make a huge impact for the future of the breed!
Goals
To educate and positively promote the Arabian horse as a breed on a local and/or regional level, to spread the word and help grow the local Arabian horse community through GAHA, and to acknowledge those who participate in community outreach for the Arabian Horse.
Recognition
Award recipient will get a custom equestrian gift, a presentation at the Annual Luncheon & Awards Banquet as well as recognition on GAHA Website and Social Media.
Need ideas?
These are some examples that the Arabian, Half Arabian or Anglo Arabian may consider participating in: Presentations, participation or demonstrations in/for 4H clubs, saddle clubs, Girl Scout Troops, school programs/projects, & Boy Scouts; all-breed horse expos; celebrations or festivals; retirement communities; clinics; non-profit organizations; all breed shows or competitions; open, all breed regional competitions; parades; therapy programs or Special Olympics, etc. Consider asking to set up a booth and do a meet & greet at an event! Becoming an AHA Discovery Farm may give you some useful ideas & tools as well. Look into the following as well: Southern Equine Expo, South Carolina Horsemen's Council South Carolina Horse Expo, Georgia 4-H State Horse Show Judging Competition, Southeastern Regional Judging Contest, Sunbelt Ag Expo and The Georgia National Fair.
Intentionally Adira+/ "Lilly"
2019 GAHA Ambassador Award Winner
Owned by GAHA Member Barbara Adler
Lilly has proven herself to be the epitome of the versatile Arabian Horse. She is a therapy horse and spokes-horse in her local community for Equine Therapy and the Arabian breed. She regularly has appearances at two of her local Tractor Supply Stores (even inside the store) and has begun to make her rounds at local nursing/assisted living homes. She has quite the fan base, even by Quarter Horse people. She also shows in trail, ranch riding and halter and has multiple National and Regional wins. Lilly was bred by Rohara Arabians/Zamira Arabians. Lilly is a 2013 grey mare by Star Intention and out of Eternal Gold SRA.
Targaryen TWF "Teddy"
2020 & 2021 GAHA Ambassador Award Winner
Owned by GAHA Member Katharina Huenermann
2016 Half-Arabian gelding
Chestnut / 14.1 hands
Winterlake Tristan x CNF Marteenna (Magneeto WLF+ x Fortenna AD)
"Teddy showcases the Arabian breed in all their wonderful traits. He draws attention and gains fans and friends wherever he goes, no matter if it’s little people, adults or professionals. His quiet temper and coolness is what make him especially worthy, most notable at his young age of only 4 years.
The accomplishments he has made in the past two years are more than I’ve ever hoped and dreamed for. From winning several Regional Championships in hand (Dressage and Hunter) in both the Open and Amateur division from bringing home a Top 10 National award with my mother presenting him in 2019, to conquering the Open Competition Circuit this year with huge success.
But that’s not all. Teddy has been an amazing advocate for our much loved breed. He was invited to showcase the Arabian Breed at the Young Horse Symposium beginning of the year in Ocala. He blew the judges away and the majority of the judges had him listed as the ideal 3-day Eventer...
So while we were visiting Ocala, we have made stop at Lauren Nicholson’s (Former Kieffer) farm to train with her and introduce Teddy to a perfect start to the Eventing world. It didn’t’ take but a minute for Lauren to fall in love with him. Back home and limited to local events due to Covid, we stayed around the Atlanta area which occurred to be to no disadvantage at all.
With the first shows in Eventing, Teddy stepped up from competing in Beginner Novice to Novice in only two events, and bringing home the blue ribbon in the latter competition and therefore winning the qualifier for the Young Event Horse class – in a class dominated by professional riders with their big Thoroughbreds and very nice Warmblood crosses.
Little but mighty, he convinced the judges at another major young horse qualifier in Chatsworth, GA that he has what it takes to be successful. There he beat several very well bred Warmbloods and took home two more first place ribbons in classes laid out for the 4-year old Dressage horses.
On top of that we had a lot of fun to jump around double clear in several classes at the Twilight Jumpers at Chatthills several weeks ago.
Talking about Chattahoochee Hills this little darling has made quite the impact at this gorgeous venue over the last few months and the show committee has been a huge fan of his. With referring/announcing him every time we enter the arena with the words: “The little Arab pony that could”!
Lots of fans have been rooting for him and have named him the next “Teddy O’Connor” (Olympic pony under 3-day Eventer Karen O’Connor).
What a co-incidence that his nick name is Teddy.
It was no surprise that the media took note of him eventually and featured him on their website under “EN’s [Eventing Nation's] got talent."