Waldens, Borduin garner several wins at horse show

Dick and Nan Walden and their trainer/ranch manager Amanda Borduin won multiple awards last month at the Region 7 Arabian Horse Association’s competition at WestWorld in Scottsdale.

Dick Walden is CEO of Farmers Investment Co. in Sahuarita and Nan is FICO’s vice president and counsel.

The two are longtime, avid equestrians who recently moved to a ranch in Elephant Head, and compete in equestrian events regularly for ribbons and points.

All together in both the prequalifying show and the show itself, the threesome garnered two firsts, one championship, one second, four fourth places and one 6th place in the show April 24-29.

About 800 horses were involved in the competition from Region 7, which includes Arizona, Nevada and Utah. 

Dick Walden won first place in the Amateur Open  to Ride Trail category in the prequalifying event  and placed in the Top five in the Region 7  Open Regular Trail Championship competition.  In both events he rode Agracie Girl V,  a 6-year-old black Arabian mare.

Criteria for winning

The event involves guiding the horse through a series of obstacles, including poles and bridges and opening a gate.

The competition calls for a horse that can maneuver through an obstacle course with physical skills, expression and  a good mental attitude.

According to competition rules, the horse should “travel through and between obstacles with an inquisitive desire to more forward without compromising  its calm, relaxed attitude and way of going.

“It should approach each obstacle with authority and correct form, with its own style, yet maintaining its willingness to be dictated to completely by the rider and with no apparent resistance.”

Nan Walden won the championship in the Amateur To Hand sport horse mares in hand competition, with  Agracie Girl V.

With Flower Girl V, a 3-year-old Arabian, Nan Walden placed in the top five in the Amateur To Hand sport horse mare in hand event.

She also placed in the top five in the Amateur to Hand half Arabian Sport Horse gelding in hand competition with Stars and Stripes SF, a 5-year-old Arabian/Paint Horse gelding.

The in hand events involve handling the horse on the ground on a loose rein that allows the animal the chance to perform and demonstrate its best form without artificial restraints or any force or intimidation.

Amanda Borduin won the Reserve Champion spot in the Open Sport Horse mares in hand competition and   placed in the top five in the Open Region 7 Trail Championship. In both events she was riding Agracie Girl V.

With Flower Girl V, Borduin won the championship for sport horse mare in hand  and placed in the top five for the Sport Horse Mares in Hand  event.

She also placed in the top five in the Open Half Arabian Sport horse gelding in hand event with Stars and Stripes.

“We’re very pleased; it was a very successful show,” said Borduin this week, when the Waldens were away in California.

kengle@gvnews.com|547-9732