What is it like to work at Arabian Nights?

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Zach Becker, one of our Core Performers. Zach is also the Assistant Barn Manager here at Arabian Nights. He works closely with Diana Sauer, who was featured in last week’s post.

Obviously, I had to find out why and gain more insights about life behind the scenes at Arabian Nights from her other half.

A few minutes with Zach…

Eileen: So Zach, where are you from?

Zach: Iowa Falls, Iowa. 

Eileen: Interesting! What brought you to Florida?

Zach: I visited Florida while on Spring Break one year, and I loved it. I knew I wanted to live here. I thought I would end up in South Florida–Jupiter area, but I came to Orlando instead. 

Eileen: We are glad you are here!  I heard you graduated from college with a degree in Equine Management. Is this correct? 

Zach: Yes, from Ellsworth College in Iowa Falls. My mom wanted me to go to school, but I wasn’t too excited about it at the time. Then I found the Equine Management program at Ellsworth and knew it was right for me. You might as well study something you are interested in! 

Eileen: So true! Did you think that you would be working in entertainment? 

Zach: Definitely not! I thought I was going to be managing a Hunter Jumper barn. 

Eileen: How did you get to Arabian Nights? 

Zach: Initially, I heard about a position opening up for a Performer/Trick Rider at another place in Orlando. I remember going to check out their show to see what the job entailed and thinking, “What am I getting myself into??” 

Eileen: Haha, I am sure. It isn’t every day that someone performs for a living on horseback! But what a cool and unique occupation. So how did you get from there to here?

Zach: The place closed down. So, I started working for a Hunter Jumper barn and realized that I missed the lights, performing and the lifestyle. That’s how I got to Arabian Nights.

Eileen: Do you feel as though you were made to be a Performer? And, on horseback?

Zach: Yes, it gets in your blood. It was my dream when I was younger to ride the Black Stallion. I grew up riding– starting at age 4, showing at age 9, and learned many disciplines. I’ve done everything from Western Pleasure and Barrel Racing to Side Saddle and Polo. I’m around horses more than I am at my own house!

Eileen: That’s Impressive! How long have you been performing at Arabian Nights?

Zach: About 6 years.

Eileen: Tell me about your roll in the show…

Zach: I’m the Assistant Barn Manager here, as well as a Core Performer. I work closely with Diana. She oversees the Western disciplines, while I’m in charge of the English Acts. I don’t know what I would do without her here!

I’m also the Road Show Coordinator of Horse Tales Literacy Project which means a lot to me personally. I’m dyslexic and always had problems learning to read. If I can motivate at least one child by helping with the Literacy Program, then I feel like I am doing my part.

Eileen: If someone you knew wanted to work here, what would you tell them about Arabian Nights?

Zach: It’s the best company to work for. You will get back as much as you put into working here. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Featured photo above:Zach with AM Silver Dreamla/Zach Performing in the Garrocha Act

What is it like to work at Arabian Nights?

This question is heard often by staff members in all departments, so I think it’s time we give you a little insight into what it’s like to work at our attraction and play an important roll in creating the experience!

So, what is it REALLY like to be an Arabian Nights Performer?

I decided to seek out Diana Sauer, one of our Core Performers here at the Palace, to fill me in on what it’s like to be a part of the royal staff. She’s beautiful, talented, and super easy-going…the Princess is in good company!

A few minutes with Diana…

Eileen: Hi Diana! Where are you from?

Diana: I was born in Mobile, Alabama, but grew up here in Florida.

Eileen: What is your occupation here at Arabian Nights?

Diana: I’m a Core Performer and also in charge of the Western Reining acts in our show.

Eileen: So what exactly does this mean…? (Clearly, I am a bit naive when it comes to equine terminology.)

Diana: As a core performer, I’m qualified to do any act in the show. I also oversee the Western style performances, meaning the acts that involve horses with a Western saddle. For example, the Native and Square Dance acts. This includes preparation of horses and riders, giving riding lessons specific to certain acts, and also getting horses acclimated to being in a show setting–from lights and fog to sound & music.

Eileen: Talk about a resume! How long have you worked at Arabian Nights?

Diana: 10+ years

Eileen: Wow! What brought you here?

Diana: A friend of Mark Miller’s, who is the owner of Arabian Nights and the Al-Marah Arabian herd, suggested that I come ride the horses here.  As soon as I did, I knew I wanted to be a part of the company. I get to ride some of the best Arabians in the nation!

Eileen: Did you grow up loving horses?

Diana: Yes. Horses are in my blood and define my lifestyle. I don’t consider riding a job. It’s my life. I eat, sleep, and breathe horses! I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I’ve been riding since I was 5 and started competing in horse shows when I was 8, but stopped showing a few years ago so that I could ride for the enjoyment and entertainment (for myself and other people… versus for ribbons, awards and titles.)

Eileen: What is your favorite part of working for Arabian Nights?

Diana: It’s become my family.

Eileen: If you could describe the company using 3 words, what would they be?

Diana: Unity, Family(of horse lovers!), and Professionalism

Eileen: I like those answers! Thank you, Diana, for the insights on your life here at Arabian Nights.

Featured Photo Above: Diana with Arabian Stallion, Don Power

“She(Smoochie) is absolutely beautiful.” Stated Diane Delano, founder of the Wild Horse Resue Center in Mims, Florida.

Delano is an avid “horse lover” which lead her to create the WHRC, and help to make a difference in the “lives of these beautiful and wild spirits…”. Arabian Nights is sure glad she did, and very appreciative of her efforts!  The Palace now has 8 beautiful mustangs from Delano’s Rescue Center, including Smoochie.

“The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) called me and sent me to pick up 2 mares and 2 foals, who were not being cared for by their adopters…“ said Delano. The 4 included Smoochie, and her mother Tank. Smoochie was a baby, about 3 months old, and her mother was wild and thin. I kept them here at the Center for 4 months, where we gentled them up, and then took Smoochie to the BLM to get her freeze branded. When Smoochie was about a year old, a nice woman named Sandra Daigrepont Schluter adopted her and Tank and kept them for 9 years. I called Sandra and told her my idea about the horses going to Arabian Nights. She agreed with me, though didn’t want to part with them, but knew it would be a wonderful place to have them.” Said Delano.

Here at our Palace we feel incredibly lucky to have Smoochie. She’s our new lead horse! Here is a before and after photo of her, “before” Sandra adopted her, and “after” about a year and a half later. Looks like she was well cared for. We certainly are thrilled to have her here!

Click for Info: Wild Horse Rescue Center

Bureau of Land Management

When: Tomorrow, May 8th

Where: Old Town, Kissimmee Fl

What: Visit Kissimmee’s National Tourism Street Party When: 3-9pm

What’s happening? There will be tables set up with representatives from each vendor involved! Free food samples will be given out, there will be thrill rides, music and trivia! Stop by Arabian Nights’ table and take photos! Enter to win tickets to our dinner show! (And see Lucky Star a second time!)  This week only: If you’re in the Hospitality industry, purchase tickets at a discounted rate of only $15! See you at the show!

Howdy my fellow friends and followers! Today I’m in the mood to throw on a cowboy hat and dance! That being said, I feel that it is appropriate to make a quick stop in America, home of the free! And visit our heart-throbbing, knee-slapping Squaredance Act!

Here at Arabian Nights, we take great pride in culture from all over the world(as seen in our dinner show!), but we always come back to our roots, and that is here in America! While Princess Scheherazade is on her journey with magical Genie, Abra, they make a quick stop in the land of red, white, and blue. And why wouldn’t they?!

The Declaration of independence was signed here, on July 4th, 1776, giving us the fun and exciting holiday filled with hotdogs, friends, family, and fireworks! Not to mention the Constitution was written here in 1787! Setting the standard for American laws, still today!

Time and again, our country has exemplified it’s pride in uniting it’s residents, even when tragedy occurs, and that is the reason for our Squaredance Act in our dinner show. Proudly we dance together(on horseback!) and celebrate this country and all the glory that it stands for, in red, white, and blue.

SPOILER ALERT:

Arabian Nights is currently planning a NEW show…a “Royal Celebration”, that’s right! And it’s opening the week of July 4th, 2013! Stay tuned for more spoilers!

But besides the awe-inspiring horsemanship that started in North America, what else is so great about it? What does it have to do with Arabian Nights?

We recently purchased wild mustangs from the Wild Horse Rescue Center (WHRC)…(read more info about it here!) and guess what?! Mustangs originate from North America, originally brought over by the Spanish! Thanks to them, we have our beautiful and wild mustangs, now a part of our Palace family.

In 1971,  “The Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act” was amended. United States Congress recognized Mustangs as “living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West, which continue to contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people.” Pretty neat!

Check out Heidi Herriott, our Head Trainer, below training 3 of the new wild mustangs!

Here is the skinny: This Saturday, April 27th, is WKMG Local 6 news‘ “Things To Do In Florida” Expo, at the Seminole Towne Center Mall! and YES, we’ll be there!

• Our fantastic Genie, Alley Kazam, Head Trainer Heidi Herriott, and our mini horse, Lucky Star, will be too! Come by 1:00pm to meet Heidi and Lucky Star, and see them perform for WKMG’s TV crew on stage! (You may even see our dinner attraction’s spunkiest mini horse, talk!!) Take photos with them AND our magical Genie for an experience you won’t want to miss.

Oh and a few last tidbits…we will be selling tickets to our dinner show at the event from 10am-5pm so don’t miss out!  And our friends from Wild Florida will be there too! I hear they’re bringing Fluffy, the Alligator. (Don’t get scared now, I hear he is quite nice) Stop by to see for yourself!

“Like” Arabian Nights on Facebook!

Wild Florida Airboat Rides!

As shown in the featured photo above, our “Bedouin Act” paints a picture in your mind(and visually, at our dinner show!) of talented desert horsemen, clad in colorful attire, comprised of bright colors, such as reds and oranges. These regal herdsmen protect and escort Prince Khalid as he makes his way into the Palace. Many guests want to know more about the “Bedouins” and their origin, so visiting their homeland of Saudi Arabia is a must.

The Bedouin tribes were nomads, originating from the Arabian Peninsula. They started traveling from place to place because of scarcity of food and water. Their daily occupations included agriculture, fishing, transporting goods across the desert, and herding. We can also add “camel raising” to this list…(I wonder what it would be like to hang out with a camel?)

Dancing and music are also important parts of Arabian culture. This must be why Prince Khalid is a talented dancer(just ask the Black Stallion…better yet, come to our show!)

Come to our show! And get 25% off!

Well, my fellow horse lovers, and arena enthusiasts! The rumors ARE true. On March 3rd, 2013, Arabian Nights purchased 8 mustangs from The Wild Horse Rescue Center (in Mims, Florida) and welcomed them to the Palace. We now consider them part of our family (the Princess, in particular, is devoted to them and stops by the barn daily!). Our Head Trainer, Heidi Herriott trains the horses each day, and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to document their progression!(Videos and more details to follow!)

The featured photo above was taken the day the horses arrived! You can see our Palace staff with Heidi Herriott, our Head Trainer, next to Diane Delano, the founder of the WHRC, along with Malice Smith, who also works with Diane.

“These mustangs have come a long way from when they were first rescued. Some of them were found starved, and abused by their owners who neglected them.” Stated Diane. We know that Arabian Nights will provide a loving home for them, and we can’t wait to see them in the show!”

More details to come on the WHRC!

“Like” the WHRC on Facebook!

Come to our show! And get 25% off!

Here at Arabian Nights, we take great pride in keeping the magic and romance alive of the Spanish language, culture, and specifically, the technically impressive style of horse-riding that originated there.  We showcase this romantic  and visually appealing style in our Garrocha Act.

This style of riding exercises the Spanish art of the “Doma Vaquero” or, “Dressage Cowboy.”

Check out our dressage cowboy on his savy steed!

The garrocha pole served as the instrument used to work cattle quietly, and with control

It’s interesting that centuries ago in Spain, this style was used to herd cattle, and now it’s evolved into a talented, romantic and flowing performance while on horseback. It takes years to train a horse to maneuver this way…who would have known you can see it first hand at our dinner show?!