Guests and employees at Arabian Nights often remark on how beautiful and talented the horses in our show are, so our featured breed this week is the American Quarter Horse.

Originally bred for sprinting short distances of a quarter mile or less, the American Quarter Horse is a popular and versatile breed that is an excellent fit for the Arabian Nights show.

Buster in the Square Dance Act

In the 1600s, American colonists on the eastern seaboard began crossing imported English horses with “native” horses that were actually descendents of Spanish, Arabian and Barb stock brought to America by the Conquistadors. This crossbreeding led to the creation of the American Quarter Horse breed, but it didn’t stop there. These crosses were later improved for racing through more crossbreeding with Thoroughbred racehorses, and for ranching through crossbreeding with Native American horses and Mustangs.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was founded in 1940 by a group of horsemen and ranchers from the southwestern United States. The group is dedicated to preserving the pedigree of their ranch horses. The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in the United States, and with over 3.2 million  registered worldwide it’s also the largest breed society in the world.

Commonly believed to be the world’s fastest breed of horse over short distances, the American Quarter Horse has been clocked at 55 mph! Today, the American Quarter Horse is well known both as a racehorse and for its performance in rodeos and horse shows. The compact body of the Quarter Horse is the key to the breed’s ability to excel in roping, reining, cutting and other western-style events where speedy maneuvers are required. A versatile horse, the Quarter Horse is also featured in English disciplines and driving.

Quarter Horses are recognized by their stocky build, compact head with well-defined jaw, and their well-muscled appearance. They can come in a number of different colors including gray, chestnut, bay, palomino (gold with a cream mane and tail), and buckskin (gold with black points and a dorsal stripe).

Inca in the Native American Act

In the Arabian Nights show, the American Quarter Horse is most notably featured in the Native American Tribute Act, where the discipline of Reining is displayed. Our Quarter Horses are also seen doing Dressage and Western riding in the show (we told you they were versatile!). Now that you know about American Quarter Horses you can come to Arabian Nights for a show and see if you can spot Buster and Inca during the show!

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Guests and employees at Arabian Nights often remark on how beautiful and talented the horses in our show are, so our featured breed this week is the Gypsy Vanner.

Dennis and Cindy Thompson are credited with first introducing the Gypsy Vanner breed to the United States at Equitana USA in 1998. A rare and beautiful small draft breed, the Gypsy Vanner is unique in many ways, beginning with their name.

Cindy discovered the term Gypsy Vanner in an old English book that referred to a horse pulling a caravan as “a Gypsy’s vanner horse” (meaning “a horse suitable to pull a caravan). The name Gypsy Vanner recognizes the selectively bred horses raised by gypsies as a breed. The name uses an umbrella term for the people who created the breed (Gypsy) and a word that identifies their breed’s vision, (Vanner).  Cindy and Dennis spent a great deal of time with the people who created this breed before coining the name, and since then they have brought a great legacy to the U.S.

Dennis Thompson currently owns and operates Gypsy Gold Farms, and he has been kind enough to supply Gypsy Vanner horses to Arabian Nights in an effort to promote the breed. The current Gypsy Vanner featured in the Arabian Nights show is Banner, and guests will see him pulling the Princess’ carriage.

Banner pulling the Princess' carriage.

Gypsy Vanners are often noticed for their stunning black and white markings, but the Gypsy Vanner is not identified by color, but rather by body type. Any color is accepted as long as the following body type standards are met:

• Short back in proportion to overall body
• Broad chest
• Heavy, well-rounded hips
• Heavy, flat bone at the knee
• Ample hooves
• Feathering beginning at the knees or near the hocks, extending over the front of the hooves
• Ample to abundant mane and tail
• A fine head on a strong neck in harmony with the horse’s overall look.

Disposition is also very important characteristic of the gypsy Vanner breed. The horse should exhibit traits of intelligence, kindness and docility.

Gypsy Vanners are categorized into three body types. The ‘Classic’ Vanner is from 14 to 15.1 hands tall, the ‘Cart’ Vanner is under 14 hands and the ‘Grand’ Vanner is 15.1 hands and taller. All sizes should have the look of a small Shire (draft horse) with more feathers and a more refined head. The Classic Vanner is the most popular in the United States currently, but the other classes are gaining notice.

Gypsy Vanners, although first bred to pull wagons, also excel at other disciplines, including Dressage and trail riding.

To learn more about Gypsy Vanners, visit www.GypsyGold.com. You can also ask us about Banner, our own Gypsy Vanner, when you visit Arabian Nights for dinner and a show.

Ask us about Banner, our Gypsy Vanner, at Arabian Nights!

If you’ve been to Arabian Nights and had a fun time, visit this site and share your thoughts!

As part of the continued growth here at Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction, Sandy Sweatt has been hired as Director of Sales.

Sandy Sweatt, Director of Sales

Sandy Sweatt has recently joined the team at Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction as Director of Sales.  Sandy has more than 20 years experience in the Central Florida hospitality industry.  Sandy will be handling the Domestic and Canadian Tour & Travel markets as well as AAA and Military for Arabian Nights.

“I am most excited about working the Domestic Tour & Travel markets for a Central Florida dinner show,” Sandy said. “I love the excitement of working for a dinner show and I have a passion for the people in the Orlando and Kissimmee travel industry.”

Sandy started her career shortly after college in Central Florida working in the sales department for an Orlando hotel. Throughout the years she has gained a variety experiences with attractions and restaurants.  The majority of Sandy’s hospitality experience comes from Silver Springs Theme Park in Ocala, FL, and Medieval Times here in Kissimmee where she was the Tour & Travel Sales Manager.

She was drawn to Arabian Nights because of the unique nature of the venue and its ownership. “One of the things that interested me most in going to work for Arabian Nights is the passion Mark Miller has for the show and the community,” Sandy said. “To work for such a well-established and quality dinner show such as Arabian Nights is another reason I have decided to join the team. “

Sandy was born and raised in Orlando. She is married to her husband Mike, and they have two children, Bradley and Lauren.

To view showtimes for upcoming Arabian Nights performances, click here.