presents:

"Ben Arthur" (detail)

In 1984 Americans were glued to the television watching the Olympics and thrilling to Karen Stives and her big gray horse, Ben Arthur. Through the water we all gasped at the power and drive this horse had. She was small on him and it took her strength and skill as a rider to not let him bull his way and make a costly mistake. His Irish breeding gave him the substance needed. The next day was the stadium competition and every fence he cleared took viewers closer to the possible first Gold Medal for a woman rider. Then there was the triple combination at the end, and anyone who rides watching that could see Ben just thought he knew everything and she could not contain him enough to not get too close to the last element....and he pulled a rail. They still earned the Silver Medal and that was a first, but that team will always be Gold in everyone's heart.