As a newbie who hasn't posted but a few times....please bear with me!! I'm always interested in any well-built, typey Arabian of most any lines, but due to current interests (sport horse and reining), seem to keep coming back to the Spanish horses. I am looking for a mentor in my area (Fayetteville, NC) if possible. Of course, the 'net makes a mentor from anywhere possible, and I respect szedlisa's knowledge, expertise and the great pics she has at her site!! Any guidance would be gratefully appreciated, especially now as I am horseless and neeeeeed my horse fix! Am just getting back into the position to purchase, and want to be so careful with this initial investement. Thanks much all!!

WELCOME!! I too am a Spanish enthusiast and two people that I can highly recommend are Christie Hart at Greengate Farms in San Luis Obispo, CA (www.greengate-farms.com) and Jim Porcher in New Mexico (www.bluemesahorse.com). Arlene Magid recommended to me the spanisharabianpromotions at yahoo group; it is indeed informative and educational.

(Please check out my website when you get a chance for two half spanish sale horses! www.AvianceArabians.com- shameless plug- HAH!)

Definitely check with Jim and Christie regarding lines within the Spanish group. What you want to do in the sporthorse venue should help guide you even more as certain lines are especially known for their jumping ability. I don't know of any Spanish breeders in NC at all, but that doesn't mean there aren't some out this way. I too love the Spanish lines and am proud that my gelding is about 40% Spanish through his dam, who was a *Numaa daughter.

Let us know what you find out and if you get in with the yahoo group (which I kinda fizzled from lately.)

Do check with Terry Polk at Los Acres, she may know of someone in that area.
Los Acres my dream makers !!!
Kris in Tucson

Also Priscilla Richardson in Wilton. AKA Challendon Arabians. She has been breeding Spanish for a long time and owned CA Hermoso and more.

WOW!! Thanks all for the help!! Hope those folks mentioned don't mind me calling and writing ya'll...and I don't mind the "Shameless plug" for the sale horses either....as I mentioned, am currently horseless. Spent 8 years as the Horse Council Rep for my county in TN before I moved...and never owned a horse the whole time I was there!! Pitiful, isn't it?? That's okay, 2009 will be a much better year, and I hope to be able to participate as never before. Just can't get the Spanish off my mind.