Arabian horse times cover story feb 2021
Life inthe fazt lane – by sarah jayne johnson
When it comes to Amazing Horsewoman LLC’s founder, Dr. Nancy O’Reilly, never did she expect that her involvement in the Arabian horse industry would include ownership of a performance stallion such as Life Inthe Fazt Lane (Vegaz x Riverdance NA).
Located at Dr. O’Reilly’s Southern California Equestrian Center (SCEC), the 9-year-old bay stallion has been in training with Lowe Show Horse Centre for just under three years and each year has been better than the last. When “Eddie” stepped foot into California, trainer Jim Lowe was so in awe of the stud, he went and bought a broodmare to breed Eddie to so he could have his own Life Inthe Fazt Lane baby.
Since training with Lowe, Life Inthe Fazt Lane has won two reserve national championship titles, both in the Open English Pleasure with Lowe up at the 2019 and 2020 U.S. Nationals.
During last year’s class, Eddie got to trot in the arena with his sire Vegaz, ridden by trainer Chris Wilson. Vegaz performed for the first time in years and looked his best yet. Those who got to see both stallions in the arena witnessed a historical moment. There were four breeding stallions in the English Open class to close out the nationals show, and Life Inthe Fazt Lane proved he belonged at the top of the judges’ cards with his father and the rest of the competition.
“He is going to do great things for our breed,” Lowe said. Highlighting the best features of Eddie, Lowe continued, “He has an unbelievable amount of talent. He is kind, hardworking, beautiful, and trains like a million bucks. I am excited to see his babies on the ground and see how they perform. I think they’re going to be special.”
Dr. O’Reilly has several foals on the ground by Life Inthe Fazt Lane, which she has high expectations for. Exhibiting their sire’s same beautiful features and great necks, his get are proving to be trainable and showing the same performance potential. It is hard not to fall in love with the next generation of these “easy on the eyes” champions.
Despite her shorter (8 years) and later in life involvement with horses, Dr. O’Reilly’s love for the Arabian breed is apparent. From humble show beginnings in liberty classes, her Southern California Equestrian Center is now home to top show horses, as well as a successfully growing breeding program.
Life Inthe Fazt Lane is just one of three stallions at Lowe Show Horse Centre. Eddie’s stablemates include the legendary Mamage, owned by Beth Jupp, and Dr. O’Reilly’s multi-national champion Affliction, by Mamage. Each stallion brings their own excitement to the show ring, as well as their babies.
The sky is the limit for Eddie and Dr. O’Reilly’s potential within the industry. We saw just how talented his get can be when one of Life Inthe Fazt Lane’s progeny hit the show ring this year. It is only a matter of time before the public will be joining Dr. O’Reilly and Jim Lowe’s excitement for more Life Inthe Fazt Lane babies in 2021 and on.
Despite her shorter (8 years) and later in life involvement with horses, Dr. O’Reilly’s love for the Arabian breed is apparent. From humble show beginnings in liberty classes, her Southern California Equestrian Center is now home to top show horses, as well as a successfully growing breeding program.
Life Inthe Fazt Lane is just one of three stallions at Lowe Show Horse Centre. Eddie’s stablemates include the legendary Mamage, owned by Beth Jupp, and Dr. O’Reilly’s multi-national champion Affliction, by Mamage. Each stallion brings their own excitement to the show ring, as well as their babies.
The sky is the limit for Eddie and Dr. O’Reilly’s potential within the industry. We saw just how talented his get can be when one of Life Inthe Fazt Lane’s progeny hit the show ring this year. It is only a matter of time before the public will be joining Dr. O’Reilly and Jim Lowe’s excitement for more Life Inthe Fazt Lane babies in 2021 and on.
SCOTTSDALE 2021
Scottsdale Champion Half-Arabian Country Pleasure AATR – Phi Beta Kappa &Nancy O’Reilly
Scottsdale Champion Arabian Country Pleasure Driving – Affliction & Jim Lowe
Scottsdale Reserve Champion Arabian English Pleasure – Life inthe Fazt Lane & Jim Lowe
Scottsdale Reserve Champion Arabian Park – Gossip Girl & Jim Lowe
SCOTTSDALE 2020
Scottsdale Champion Half-Arabian Park – Halstead’s Deven & Jim Lowe
Scottsdale Champion Arabian Country Pleasure Driving – Affliction & Jim Lowe
Scottsdale Champion Arabian English Pleasure – Life inthe Fazt Lane & Jim Lowe
Scottsdale Champion Half-Arabian Country Pleasure Driving – Phi Beta Kappa &Nancy O’Reilly
SCOTTSDALE 2019
The weather was a challenge, from rain and wind to freezing temperatures and local snow fall, this was not the two weeks of sunshine we all had hoped for. Despite the weather the show was a success for the horses and exhibitors of Lowe Show Horses. James Lowe and Nestor Gonzalez had the horses prepared to compete at their absolute best.
2019 Scottsdale Champion Half-Arabian English Show Hack – Stonewoods N Cook
Arabian horse times cover story feb 2019
Nancy O’Reilly’s Southern California Equestrian Center bY SARAH JAYNE JOHNSON
This past fall, Dr. Nancy O’Reilly, the face of “The Amazing Horse Woman, LLC” and who started riding in 2014, purchased her first horse property, which is “women owned and managed, along with an amazing team of equestrian specialists,” in Dr. O’Reilly’s words.
Formally known as Mission Pacific Equestrian Center, it is currently being transformed into Southern California Equestrian Center (SCEC). The farm is in Somis, California, between Camarillo and Moorpark, and is only 40 minutes north of Los Angeles. The property consists of 21 acres surrounded by eucalyptus trees, hundreds of acres of lemon groves and is close to all the amenities city life has to offer while still remaining private; as well as a full-service equestrian center offering boarding and complete riding and training customized to each rider and their horse.
The property is any equestrians dream, consisting of a 50-stall main barn, over 35 covered pipe stalls, a covered ground pan, stadium lights, a quarter-mile race track and more than 10 grass pastures. Home to Lowe Show Horse Centre for over a decade, is how O’Reilly became first involved.
However, prior to being home to one of the most prestigious Arabian training facilities on the west coast, the farm was owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor. Gabor’s publicist stated she bought the horse ranch in Somis because she was understandably fed up with Beverly Hills. Gabor lived on the property with her horses.
Southern California Equestrian Center’s location is one of the many reasons the facility is so desirable. The farm is 35 minutes to Burbank Airport, 50 minutes to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and 20 minutes to the Pacific Ocean. The facility has been hosting four-star rated dressage shows about five times a year since 2003, which has been attended by equestrian Olympians.
The facility’s former owner, Jim Lowe, owner and trainer of Lowe Show Horse Centre, has trained at and maintained the property since 2002. O’Reilly started riding with Lowe in 2015. Over the years, she has built herself a small empire of horses in the industry for performance and breeding. Within O’Reilly’s breeding program is Affliction, Life Inthe Fazt Lane (stalled at ChriShan Park) and recently the purebred mare, CSP Gossip Girl. Wanting a place for her horses to call home that was close enough to her Montecito home, the search began.
She desired a facility for her horses with other people who love horses, and Lowe’s fit the bill.
Jim Lowe shares, “Nancy loves to be around horses and people, and it shows in everything she does. I’m excited to see her positive changes to the property. She wants to create an environment for people to come and enjoy other people who love horses.”
Jill Kramer, current SCEC barn operations manager, has been at the facility for over a decade since becoming a client of Lowe’s in 2006. Kramer oversees the day-to-day operations to make sure everything runs smoothly for Lowe, Dr. O’Reilly and the clients. “I am very excited to see what will come to the property,” Kramer says, “as well as working alongside Dr. O’Reilly to continue making this property a sanctuary for clients and horses.”
Dr. O’Reilly shares her excitement, “I am so very excited to have this wonderful Equestrian Center. We are blessed to have one of the top National Arabian/Half-Arabian Championship trainers in Jim Lowe. Together, we will continue to make this a top training facility, as well as a desirable destination for people who love horses.”
Dr. Nancy O’Reilly’s Southern California Equestrian Center will continue to be managed by Jill Kramer with Lowe Show Horse Centre’s Jim Lowe as head trainer, Nestor Gonzales as assistant trainer, and Jorge Garcia as ranch manager.
ENVISION MAGAZINE
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE…
What caused you to decide to start riding? I had a major life change. My good friend knew horses would change my life for the good. Horses saved my life and still are every day. I love them and the people who love them as well. What would you tell someone who is older to encourage them to start riding? It will keep you young. A challenge and getting past your fears make you feel alive. You are stronger and smarter and physically better than you think. Centurions in Tibet ride horses. I hope to be 100 and still riding. Why not?! How have you found riding to enhance your life and life skills? What do you love most about it? I am a psychologist, author and speaker. I often share my excitement about riding and driving my horses, and now breeding the next generation of Arabian show horses. The confidence I have grows, and the excitement is magical and is so very fulfilling. Life is about growing and learning. I have much to learn. None of us are promised tomorrow. What are you waiting for? What are some of the obstacles you’ve encountered, starting this sport later in life? Of course, being less experienced and having to catch up with the more experienced and knowledgeable riders was, and still is challenging. I find overall, the equestrian world is filled with lots of people who want, and do, offer help and lots and lots of support. It is about matching up with the right horse and the right trainer. Then let the magic come. I have been blessed to have both. How does riding compare to other hobbies you’ve had? Sports have been a big part of my life. I was the ultimate tomboy! Boys came to my house not to date me, but knew I could kick the ball further than most. Painting has been one of my passions and drawing and painting horses seems a natural progression which I am just now attempting. Tennis, running 10ks and even the NY marathon, as well as my love/hate of golf has helped with persistence and determination to improve, knowing the importance of learning and lots of instruction. I just don’t give up! A great coach and trainer make all the difference to help anyone excel and improve. You can learn from many. Watch and learn and ask for help. You will never stop learning to be a great rider and horse communicator. It’s about developing relationships with our horses which we need to remember can last up to 30 years. Horses can teach us so very much about ourselves. They see through us and know all our secrets. The good news is they are also so very forgiving; thank goodness. Anything else you’d like to share with folks new to Arabian horses? Enjoy the ride and the journey. Know you will meet amazing four-legged and two-legged creatures who will make your life sweet. You will make lifelong friends and write stories and make memories you will be amazed with. I want my family to know how much joy and love I have had and will have, being a part of the world of the horse and the people who love them as much as I do. I am so very blessed. There’s no place to get started than at Southern California Equestrian Center …. a place for people who love horses. Join us!