By Melinda Zemper
Special to NKyTribune
Luke Fedders of Fort Thomas knows his horse well.
The 11-year-old and sixth grader at Highlands Middle School rewarded his Arabian, Harley Sensation, with some Altoids and a drink of green apple Gatorade after winning a Top Ten award at the recent U.S. Youth National Arabian horse show.
About 800 horses and riders competed in the show.
Fedders rode Harley in the Saddleseat Equitation 10 and Under Walk Trot class and placed sixth in the Top Ten nationally at the 2016 Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show held July 23-30 in in Oklahoma City.
For Luke, qualifying and showing at the U.S. National horse show was a challenge he took on willingly — because he loves his horse and knew he had the love and legacy of four family generations behind him. He also plays competitive soccer and baseball.
Fedders competed against 22 of the top riders in the country in his age class to walk, trot, halt and stand with his 9-year-old Arabian. The judges name a Top Ten, then a Reserve National Champion and a National Champion.
“He showed a lot of grit,” said his father, Albert Fedders, chief financial officer at ML Barnard, Inc., a design-build construction company in Clermont County in Cincinnati.
“He qualified for two classes, including the Country English Pleasure class, which was supposed to be his best chance to place in the top ten. But it was a crowded ring, with 21 horses, and one of the horses cut Luke off. Harley broke gait to avoid running into the horse. Luke still placed 11th, though, just missing a top ten finish.”
In the Saddleseat Equitation class, which is judged 20 percent on the horse and 80 percent on the rider, Luke and Harley had a “best ride ever” and Luke was awarded the Top Ten honor.
“I like the special bond you get with the horses, especially Harley,” said Luke Fedders. “We are a team and very much alike. We enjoy playing with each other. I like showing because it is fun, challenging and rewarding.”
To compete nationally, youths in Luke’s class have to win two second places or higher at local shows and receive Top Five honors at a regional show. Luke Fedders shows with the Arabian Horse Association’s Region 14, which is made of competitors from Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Loving horses, especially Arabians, came naturally to Luke, as well as his brother Wade, 8. The children are the fourth generation of Arabian horse lovers in the Barnard-Fedders family. Harley Sensation was bred and raised at Stonebrook Farm in Foster, Ky., owned by Fedders’ grandparents, Mike and Lou Barnard.
Barnard and his father, C.A. Barnard, introduced Luke’s mother, Meghan Barnard Fedders, to Arabians when she was a child. C.A. Barnard never missed a horse show and attended every one of Meghan’s horse shows and most of her practices growing up.
“He loved horses and watching me ride, just like my dad does for Luke,” said Meghan.
Her father, Mike Barnard, had horses growing up and they have always been a passion for him. Mike was 21 years old when he got his first Arabian. He has since owned and bred about 50 Arabians.
Meghan Fedders was eager to perpetuate her love of Arabians with the two boys. She was raised around horses, but fell in love with them at the age of six, when she got her first pony, Smoky. She began showing at county fairs and moved on to riding and showing Arabians exclusively when she was ten.
“The cycle continued when Luke and Wade got their first pony, Rugrat, who was a half –Arabian, half-pony,” she said.
A couple of years ago, Meghan Fedders won regional competitions with Harley Sensation. Harley has since settled into his role as a “children’s horse,” she said.
Arabians are known for their physiques as the “prettiest” horse breed. While some people think they are bit skittish, they are affectionate, incredibly intelligent and very attuned to people, said Fedders.
“Arabians are the oldest equine breed and were treated as family members for centuries,” said Meghan Fedders. “Developing a strong bond with people became part of the breed. Once you have their trust, they are very loyal and work hard to please you. Each one has their own unique personality.
“For example, another Arabian we have, Corporate Express, whom we will show next year, enjoys it when we love on him when he is lying down. He will let the kids climb on him and he will lie in your lap if you scratch his shoulders. Harley loves Altoids and will nicker when he hears our voices, hoping we have some.”
She said Luke and Wade both plan to ride and show Harley Sensation next year, while she will continue showing Corporate Express.
“Wade will have to put in a lot of hard work to be ready to ride Harley,” said Meghan, “but he is committed to making it happen.”
Luke’s father, Albert Fedders, takes a supportive role among a houseful of horse competitors. He’s always in the audience when Meghan and Luke show.
“He’s been supporting me since we started dating in 1993 and now is there for both of us,” said Meghan Fedders. “It’s a real family affair.”
Harley Sensation’s coach and trainer is Duane Esser at Esser Valley Arabians in Cleves, Ohio.