Our Versatile Arabians

Pirates, Top Fancy Carina ridden by Alex Stotter. Photo Vicki Tapper

Words by Erica Stotter

My daughter Alex and I are fortunate enough to have two very versatile Arabians as part of our family. The first, Top Fancy Carina +S, aka Cara, is a purebred mare by Top Fancy Make My Day, out of Top Fancy Shatahla. The second, Braylea Centre Stage +S is an Anglo Arabian mare by Lanaryn Love Shaque out of Petite Ballerina.

Cara has excelled in many fields both in and out of the show ring. At halter, she has been awarded numerous Supreme Purebred awards. Some ridden highlights in the ring are her wins in the Freestyle at the WA Arabian State Championships in 2016 dressed as a pirate, and 2017 as a dragon. She was sashed 2017 Purebred West Coast Cup Champion and Champion Ridden Purebred at the 2017 Perth Royal Show. Cara has achieved WAAHA Ridden Purebred Mare of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. She is competing successfully in open dressage at Elementary level, training at Medium. Out of the show ring, Cara has carried a couple of children at pony club and me at adult riding club. She has won at tent pegging, in Novelties and represented The Light Horse at several events.

The pair in native costume. Photo Vicki Tapper

Braylea Centre Stage and Alex Stotter representing the Light Horse while visiting a school.

Braylea Centre Stage (aka Allie) has had similar successes. She was sashed Supreme Derivative Arabian at the A class 2017 Trilogy Show and achieved WAAHA Derivative Halter Mare of the Year in 2012 and Derivative Ridden Mare of the Year in 2016. Allie is competing in open dressage at Elementary level and training at Medium. She is a master of the flying change, even when not required! She has carried Alex at pony club. She represented the Light Horse at a school ANZAC assembly in 2015, walking through 400 plus students and adults in the school’s undercover area, then stood quietly at the side for an hour during the service. She then stood happily for photos amongst excited 11 year olds and their parents. Finally, she went to visit the pre-primary and kindergarten students and had pats and cuddles.

All these achievements have culminated in both mares being awarded their AHSA Supreme Rolls of Merit in 2017, when they were both only seven years old.

Alex and I feel privileged to own both these mares and we look forward to many years of fun with them.