Desert Ridge Arabians offers low-pressure horse introductions

An Arabian horse glides effortlessly past the southern rail of the arena built into the backyard of Liz George’s house. George, standing outside of the arena, jovially observes and gives advice to her student, Abbey Matthew, as she and Mia, a dark Arabian, practice flying lead changes of dressage, an Olympian equestrian event.

The small arena where Matthew and Mia are riding is surrounded on three sides by horse stalls sheltering Mia and other Arabians. Now halting in the corner of the arena, Mia dips her head into a giant blue barrel for a much deserved drink of water.

Up close, Mia’s physical presence and toned muscles are accentuated by her perspiration, which shines in the orange and red rays of the sun on this warm afternoon. One of the oldest horse breeds, Arabians are known for their intelligence, high speed and superior stamina.

After her lesson, Matthew, a seventh-grader at Christ Lutheran School, helps Mia cool off and relax by gently rubbing water from a hose onto her.

“It’s not like any other sport,” Matthew says, “because a baseball won’t love you back; a horse will.”

Desert Ridge Arabians, a Northeast Phoenix horse barn, offers beginning riders a low-pressure and affordable introduction to horses. Desert Ridge Arabians is privately owned and operated by Liz and her mother, Susan. Together, they strive to offer horse enthusiasts an opportunity to have fun while learning how to care for horses and compete.

Liz, a Phoenix native and Shadow Mountain High School graduate, originally aspired to work in the corporate world, despite growing up surrounded by horses.

“I bought my first horse, and realized I wanted to do work with horses instead of working for a corporation,” she said. In 1997, the mother-daughter team started Desert Ridge Arabians.

Originally, the Georges rented space for their horses at a local boarding facility where they were given access to an arena they used for
lessons. In 2004, Liz bought a one-acre property and set about transforming the backyard into 11 horse pens, small storage sheds and an arena.

“Leaving the facility, we weren’t sure we would be able to do this ourselves, but it worked out in the long run. It’s a small arena, but the kids can learn everything they need to,” she says.

The Georges offer half-hour lessons for $25 and one-hour lessons for $35. Liz says the main goal of her business is to have students enjoy themselves while learning the proper ways to care for horses. All students must wear boots with a heel and a helmet.

“We teach from the ground up, beginning with students learning what they can and cannot do around the horse. Assimilation to being around a horse can be very intimidating. We go at the student’s pace,” she says.

Liz says that a new student would begin by learning to properly groom and saddle the horse. Next, students spend time getting used to the horse before mounting and riding. As with any educational process, communication between student and instructor is vital.

“I talk to the kids before the lesson to let them know what we will work on together. We always try to do something new or something fun,” Liz says.

Desert Ridge Arabians offers instruction in both English and Western equestrian disciplines. The English discipline consists of jumping and hunting. The Western discipline’s riding style and equipment evolved from the Spanish and is designed to meet the needs of American cowboys in the West.

Liz says large local competition has helped her small business because she is able to offer a relaxed and less competitive setting for young horse enthusiasts.

“If kids want to show, we’ll do it. If not, that’s okay. Anything the students want to do, we’ll do it. Most students like to ride for fun. They enjoy learning how to show, but decide not to do it,” she says.

Instead, she holds an annual Halloween party and fun shows throughout the year where students judge each other and receive ribbons.

Of the 11 horses currently living on her property, eight belong to Liz. She obtains some of the horses through breeding. Ali, her youngest horse, was bred by her famous Arabian, 27-year-old Ben Bask, one of the last sons of one of the most influential Arabian stallions in the United States, Bask.

“When the Chaunceys sold the property, I was offered Ben. It still gives me chills when I think about it. The Chaunceys are wonderful people,” she says.

In addition, Liz obtains abandoned or neglected horses that she and her mother rescue from trips to the slaughterhouse.

“The horses we have rescued have turned out to be some of the best lesson and breed horses. If I had the money, I’d build a rescue facility. I want to keep students (numbers) up, but my dream is to rescue more horses,” she says.

For Liz’s mother, Susan, who works full time as medical assistant, watching Desert Ridge Arabians develop over the last 10 years has been fulfilling because she has seen her daughter, who first sat on a horse while still in diapers, realize her dream.

“We get so much enjoyment when we are able to introduce a shy, withdrawn child to horses. Within a few months they come out of their shell and take on new personalities,” she says.