Jason Andrew Clark and the Half-Arabian, SD Dartanian+++//, owned by his mother Patricia Clark, earned Amateur Achievement Award and Horse Achievement Award High-Point honors in 2003 with 509 and 460 points respectively. The 310 points Clark accumulated and the 280 points SD Dartanian+++// collected from Sport Horse Nationals alone helped the pair clinch the top spots in the programs. SD Dartanian+++// earned more points this year than any previous High-Point horse in the program’s four-year history.

As the 2003 MD Barns High-Point Amateur, Clark will receive a $5,000 gift certificate for MD Barns product. SD Dartanian+++// will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to Libertyville Saddle Shop and an embroidered cooler as the Achievement Award High-Point champion. Their success in 2003 can be credited to a strong partnership between two individuals that seem ideally suited for sport horse disciplines and the support of family and trainer.

Clark started riding at the age of 9 when a patient at Patricia Clark’s endodontics practice invited the family out to his barn. Shortly afterward, Clark started taking western pleasure lessons before quickly switching to hunter/jumper and then dressage. With dressage Clark found his niche. “I like discipline and organization so the exacting nature of dressage really fit with my personality, and I stuck with it,” explains Jason Clark.

Clark started training with Kimberly Berkley in 1995 after the family searched for a trainer that specialized in dressage. With the instruction came the other part of a winning equation when Berkley matched Clark up with a chestnut Arabian named BA The Gambler+// (DW Baskal x Lyerla Padlana). Within the first year of showing BA The Gambler+// Clark began capturing regional top fives and took his first Youth Nationals top ten in training level dressage. Clark and BA The Gambler+// have amassed an impressive record including 14 regional championships, 11 Youth National top tens, two Youth National reserve champions and one Youth National championship.

Another champion was added to the family when Patricia Clark purchased SD Dartanian+++//, a 16.3-hand Half-Arabian/Oldenburg gelding. When Jason Clark started riding SD Dartanian+++//, the 5-year-old was a green hunter just starting his training. He came along quickly and with in a year he received a top ten in training level dressage at Youth Nationals. The versatility that made SD Dartanian+++// so successful in 2003 was evident immediately when Clark found he was able to compete with him in halter, dressage, hunter pleasure and show hack all at one show.

The 2003 season started with championships and top fives at regions 13 and 14 and ended with 12 titles at Sport Horse Nationals. With the unprecedented seven championships from Sport Horse Nationals, SD Dartanian+++// has the distinction of winning more championships at a single AHA national championship show than any other horse. SD Dartanian+++// earned championships in sport horse under saddle, sport horse show hack, first level dressage and second level dressage. Additionally, he won two reserve championships in sport horse show hack and second level dressage. Rounding out SD Dartanian+++//’s awards were three top tens from Half-Arabian sport horse geldings and second level dressage ATR.

Clark rode SD Dartanian+++// to all 12 of his titles and also earned three top tens with BA The Gambler+// in first and second level dressage. “It was incredible how well we did. It took a while for it all to sink in,” laughs Clark. “We placed in everything we entered. I would have been happy with top tens since the competition and quality of the horses at the show were excellent.”

Patricia Clark hopes to see SD Dartanian+++// and her son continue to show. While not a competitive rider herself, she enjoys the horse showing experience and the time she has spent with her family away from work. “I am so proud of Jason and Dartanian. It was a team effort between horse, rider, trainer and family to get to this point. As long as Jason is able to complete, Dartanian will always be a member of the family.”

The Horse Achievement Award program is AHA's premier recognition program for horses that actively compete in AHA recognized competition. Achievement Awards symbols printed behind a horse's name provide a visible sign of honor and prestige. The Amateur Achievement Award (AAA) program recognizes the accomplishments of adult amateurs and youth members participating in shows and distance events, including showmanship and equitation. This year the high-point amateur will receive a $5,000 gift certificate from the program sponsor, MD Barns. Only points that are earned in 2004 will count toward the year-end award. You can download the enrollment form at the AHA website by clicking on the link to “Forms and Fees” or enrolling online by logging into the Members only area of the AHA website. Each program has an initial enrollment fee of $25 with an annual renewal fee of $20.

2003 MD Barns Amateur Achievement Award High-Point Standings

1. Jason Andrew Clark Terre Haute, IN 509 points

2. Teal Dowling Spring Prairie, WI 394 points

3. Amanda Purdin Baton Rouge, LA 379 points

4. Michael Desiderio Chester, NJ 363 points

5. Meghan Braden Collinsville, IL 333 points

6. Mercy Burwell Brentwood, MO 294 points

7. Lauren Whyte Las Vegas, NV 280 points

8. Devin Rose Jeffres Longmont, CO 277 points

9. Samantha Jo Sahagian Chino, CA 246 points

10. Samantha Price Alta Loma, CA 237 points

2003 Horse Achievement Award High-Point Standings

1. SD Dartanian+++// (Frohwind x PF Marquesa), Patricia Clark, Terre Haute, IN, 460 points

2. Vivacious Leigh+// (Focus Alimus+/ x BA Baskala), Meghan Braden, Collinsville, IL, 337 points

3. TCE Balastrana++// (TC Expression+/ x Brooklynn), Mercy Burwell, Brentwood, MO, 329 points

4. Yes Sir Eee Bob++++// (O Key Dough Key x SX Celisse), Hannah Boobier, Alta Loma, CA, 283 points

5. Allegacy WF++++// (Allionce+/ x Miss USA++), Faye White, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, 275 points

6. Casablanca Afire+// (Afire Bey V x Caramel Candy), Monika Gramckow, Ojai, CA, 261 points

7. Serannada+// (Robby x Serana), Alice Jackson & Sandra Robinson, El Cajon, CA, 245 points

8. JK Famous+// (Fame VF+ x JK Chelsea), John & Karen Sparks, Paradise Valley, AZ, 218 points

9. GS Knight Wind+// (Crimson Knight x GSA Wind Allure), Laurie or Bubba Long, Phoenix, AZ, 202 points

10. Faralyn+++/ (Frohwind x FM Bay Melody), Linda Stoudemayer, Lumberton, TX, 191 points

AHA is a major breed association serving 40,000 members across North America that registers and maintains a database of more then one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses. It administers more than $4 million in annual prize money, produces championship events, recognizes more than 400 Arabian horse shows and distance rides and provides activities and programs that promote breeding and ownership. For information about Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, call 303-696-4500, e-mail info@ArabianHorses.org or visit www.ArabianHorses.org.

.