ABOUT ME
Arabian Horse Travel
Hi, I'm Janet. Welcome to the About Me page of my blog, Arabian Horse Travel.
Like you, I am a lifelong horse lover. Growing up between ‘big city’ Brooklyn, New York, and rural Minnesota, I developed the skills needed to quickly size up the local culture, learn how to fit in and stay safe, and suss out what things and which places were fun to see, do and visit.
During my childhood, whether my family flew or drove between the East Coast and the Midwest, I was a happy, curious traveler. Mom often had her nose in a book, and she saw to it my brothers and I were similarly occupied. I went on various armchair adventures inhaling Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion series and other good horse reads, like Marguerite Henry’s King of the Wind. Aren’t the movies you direct in your mind much better than the silver screen? My in-my-mind movies are! That said, I give kudos to American film director Carroll Ballard, who brought The Black Stallion to movie theaters in 1979. His version was very close to mine.
Long before I could make my way around the world by car, there was my Shetland Pony, Billy. He not only helped me to expand and explore my world, but Billy was also the best listener, and he never tired of hearing my dreams or my worries, he never judged me or betrayed confidence. Unfortunately, I lost him very unexpectedly. My clever pony knew how to open any gate to eat that greener grass on the other side. One day, he wandered too close to a busy road. Oh, how I loved that pony. Soon after that loss, we moved from the farm to “the City,” and it was decades until I owned a horse again.
Still, I had itchy feet that didn’t want to grow roots and stay planted. I was fearless in my love of travel—I still am—and I seem to have a knack for it. I like people. I like hearing your stories, and what you’ve learned along your way. I like to share too—whether it’s my own adventures or retelling someone else’s.
I don't know about you, but I seem to find horses everywhere I go. While I attended university in Western Europe, and then when I lived and worked there as an expat, I always found horses I could admire, nuzzle, or ride. Sometimes its a warm muzzle, other times I'm shading my eyes looking up at a sculpture, and I've been known to fancy a "horsey" necklace, bracelet, a pair of earrings, or all three! And I just love the unicorn craze.
Regardless of where I travel, I like to soak up the local customs, greetings, food, bargains, must-see sights, and more—all while learning how to avoid the favorite tourist traps.
Now, I want to share what I learn with you.
In a new place, I gravitate to the familiar. I know how to be at a show—no matter where it is—that’s my sweet spot. I slow down and relax into the smell of stall shavings, feed, grooming products, and the horses themselves. Here, at Arabian Horse Travel, I write about what else there is to do just off the showgrounds. I also know that sometimes we have people in our lives who love us, but horses and showing, not so much. Here you’ll find information for them, too.
For most of us, traveling with our horses isn’t a full-time gig, and even if it is, you want to be smart about how and where you spend your off-showgrounds time, not to mention your hard-earned money. There’s only so much vacation time; why not make the most of it? Arabian Horse Travel is a community for all of us to share our experiences. As horse people, we do it already. Technology and social media have their advantages.
I’ll also be networking with authors, photographers, artists, trainers, show organizers, and others throughout the horse world to bring you their adventures and insights.
Please sign up for my newsletter and stay connected with Arabian Horse Travel on social media. In addition, please feel free to call, text, or email me (janet at arabianhorsetravel dot com) with your questions, comments, ideas, and experiences. When I'm home, I'm in Arizona Mountain Standard Time.
Thank you.
Cheers,
Janet
