1.) Describe your involvement in the Arabian horse breed as a volunteer, and what your accomplishments are:
“I have spent a great deal of my life as an active member of the Arabian horse community,” says Eleanor. “I am a voting member of four local AHA clubs, was a longtime President of the Arabian Reining Horse Association and the Secretary of the Minnesota Arabian Horse Breeders (also for many years). I am still an active past President and on the Board for the ARHA. I am proud to be an integral part of the healthy growth of the Arabian reining horse, both in our community and as a current and viable future participant in the NRHA.”
“As a breeder I want a great athlete with a trainable, quiet disposition,” Eleanor notes. “I also want a horse with Arabian type and quality. Anyone who loves Arabian horses wants to ride a pretty one. Besides, occasionally the Reining doesn’t work out and a talented, pretty Arabian horse can compete in Pleasure too! I’m almost 80. When I ride my horses I am a fine example of their kindness, patience and talent. If I can do this … absolutely anybody can!”
Eleanor’s two separate breeding programs for purebreds and Half-Arabians, coupled with her winning combination of grit, good humor, work ethic and honesty have inspired new owners and breeders to become involved with the Arabian Breed since 1985.
2.) What are some of the highlights and successful moments involving the Arabian horse for you in 2015?
Since the early 1990’s Eleanor’s Arabians has been a strong competitor at the national, regional and local levels. Horses of her breeding have won well over 100 national awards in the Working Western and Western Pleasure divisions. Her senior stallion, Hesa Zee+/ has sired offspring that have now won over $150,000 competing in Reining Futurities.
In 2015 there were 16 horses of Eleanor Hamilton breeding at the U.S. National Championships. They brought home 3 national championships, 2 reserve national championships and 22 Top 10 awards in Reining, Working Cow Horse, and Western Pleasure open and amateur. 8-time national winner Heza Fire Walker (Hesa Zee+/ x Fire Musc+) won at Youth, Canadian and U.S. Nationals this year, winning 3 Reserve National Championships in Walk/Trot with 9-year-old Madison Rose and taking a U.S. National Western Pleasure Top Ten in Amateur with 79-year-old Eleanor Hamilton.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these horses,” says Eleanor. “They carry amateurs and professionals to ribbons and roses in the most athletic competition we offer at our national show and can still ‘cut the mustard’ with small kids and senior citizens in the Western Pleasure division!”
3.) If someone were to describe you, what would they say about you?
“I started in the Arabian breeding business over 30 years ago,” says Eleanor. “I will be 80 in a few weeks. I hope that people see that I am riding and breeding horses with enthusiasm and energy and follow my lead. I think they might say, “She doesn’t look back in the horse business. She tries new things with her breeding programs and heads toward the future with real gusto! My dad would have said, “That girl can still put a gopher down a hole!”