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Archive for August, 2010

Audrey has been an integral part of the Arabian Nights family for the past 4 year in the Marketing Department, quickly working her way up to Executive Vice President of PR/Marketing and well…..”Stuff”.

Before Arabian Nights, Audrey “horsed-around” at Colorado State University where she double majored in Equine Science and Journalism/Public Relations. During that time she worked for a few horse trainers and was actively involved with several student associations, even then she was quite the multi-tasker! After college, Audrey wanted a job that promoted horses as they are her passion in life. Mark Miller, the owner and founder of Arabian Nights, calls it “kismet” that Audrey was in the right place at the right time. The diversity of the work environment appealed to her and she was eager to work someplace where she could do more than push paper all day. Well that’s good to hear since Audrey also occasionally rides in the show!

Time my day started today: 7:30 a.m., or maybe even sooner if my furry alarm clocks, also known as Fritz and Sandy, wanted their breakfast sooner.

My “Breakfast of Champions”: Yogurt smoothie and scrambled eggs with some kind of coffee.

I got into work today around: 8:30 a.m.

First thing I do when I get here: Ride Rocky, our reining horse in training here at Arabian Nights.

Highlights of my day: Riding Rocky – unless of course he’s being snotty, getting projects finished, helping guests, developing promotional materials, finding money for Steve to spend on the building, listening to Don and Jason banter in my office, Austin calling me to ride in the show, Nadia keeping me organized, Paul making me laugh at the wrong times during meetings, and comparing shoes with Tracy and Arden. (Whew, that’s a lot! Gotta say though, I am proud to be one of those highlights..)

My day usually ends around: On a good day, 6:00 p.m. On a “stuff” filled day, 7:30 p.m. or later.

After work I usually: Go to the gym, preferably to do Yoga instead of weights, go ride my horse Midnight, or unwind at home with my crazy pets (2 cats, 1 dog and 1 fish) and boyfriend. I’ll let you all guess who causes the most trouble. Sounds relaxing, right?

Favorite part of working at Arabian Nights: The horses and the diversity of my daily work. As the Executive Vice President “Of Stuff”, I oversee PR/Marketing and anything else that doesn’t specifically fall into another person’s job title. Never a dull moment around here!

Signing off thoughts/comments: Why worry about tomorrow? It will come about all on its own, with its own stuff, and when it does I’ll deal with it. (Good philosophy!)

Kismet is right – can’t imagine a better person to be the Executive Vice President of “Stuff” than Audrey. No one else could handle all the characters in this place running through their office on a daily basis – that’s for sure! Hope you enjoyed getting to know another member of our family here at Arabian Nights – stay tuned next week for more interesting backstage insight!

25 Aug 2010

Day in the Life of… Audrey Padgett

Author: arabiannightsfl | Filed under: Backstage Pass

One of the original star performers here at Arabian Nights, *Sa Ika, is enjoying his retirement living at Camelot Farms in Tennessee with his son Hilm and grandson Amir.

Upon hearing that *Sa Ika was going to be celebrating his 29th birthday this year, we thought: “what better time to reflect on our time with him than now.” *Sa Ika’s journey with Arabian Nights began in 1982. He has been owned by Mark Miller, the owner of Arabian Nights, for 14 years and was then gifted to Mark’s daughter, Hanna, on her 16th birthday.

*Sa Ika with Mark Miller, Kim Barteau, and Glenn Randall

A talented, intelligent and accomplished horse, *Sa Ika has been trained in high school dressage, he was a multiple-time Champion in English Pleasure, and was a great asset to the show in his heyday. He performed in the “Dancing Horses” and Latin Act for 14 years before being retired 8 years ago and just recently moved to Camelot Farms.

Photo Courtesy of Camelot Farms

If you think he’s been slacking off in his retirement, you’d be mistaken. This magnificent stallion is still very physically fit and being worked everyday of his retirement. *Sa Ika has an excellent personality; he’s very sweet and great with people. The owners of Camelot Farms, Don Lindeberg and Mary Ellen Fox, say that his favorite toy is his beach ball which he plays with as though he’s a dog – silly *Sa Ika!

We’d like to take this time to send a birthday wish to a very special performer to us – Happy Birthday *Sa Ika from everyone here at Arabian Nights!

Photo Courtesy of Camelot Farms