Portal:Horses/Selected article/18

Sheila Varian is a breeder of Arabian horses who lives and works at the Varian Arabians Ranch near Arroyo Grande, California. She started her horse ranch, Varian Arabians, in 1954, and raising and training horses has been her full-time occupation since 1963. She still uses vaquero-influenced methods of training horses, although she has adapted her technique over the years to fit the character of the Arabian horse, which she views as a breed requiring a smart and gentle approach. Varian has produced some of the most influential Arabian horses, whose bloodlines are found in a significant number of winning Arabian show horses in the United States. For her accomplishments as a breeder Varian has received recognition from the United States Equestrian Federation, as well as several awards from various organizations within the Arabian horse industry. For her contributions as breeder and as a horse trainer in the vaquero tradition, she was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 2003.