Educating the Future of Charm City, continued...
understanding. “I believe all life on Earth matters but right
now, black lives matter and that is what we need to focus on.” Dahn explained his beliefs fur- ther by stating, “I believe we are all in this same boat and if the boat sinks, we are going to die together. So I will do my part to keep the boat afloat!”
Dahn pointed out that the current horse com- munity is dominated by fair skinned people and, although one may think this community is all-inclusive, history has proven otherwise. “Let’s look at the black jockeys as an example. Blacks were jockeys when racing got started because it was a dangerous sport,” Dahn explained. “But then racing became more popular and the black jockeys got pushed out. Now seeing a black jockey is very rare.” Dahn added that over the centuries, people of color have moved farther and farther from the horse industry be-
cause they felt like they were not wanted. “Te black community isn’t coming [into the sport] because there is a perceived notion that you, the majority race, don’t want us in your space.” Dahn feels that educat- ing people about stories, such as black jockeys, will help move the in- dustry towards a change. “Te horse industry in Maryland needs to ad- vocate for the history of black folks in Mary- land’s horse history,” he said.
“Who were the
At 73, Ahesahmahk, pictured here with his son Moshe, is making plans to slowly move towards retirement and get back to his other outdoor passion, sailing.
black men and women in the horse industry that helped the industry become what it is today? Tose are the stories we need to hear more of.”
Dahn also suggests that the Maryland horse
industry “advocate to build equestrian facili- ties where Israelites and Black Americans have access.” He added, “bring the horses to where people of minority live and actively recruit them to join the sport and start riding. We, and I’m speaking now as a member of the Maryland
Horse Council, need to get out into the com- munities of the black and brown people and in- vite them to join. We have to be proactive if we want to see a change.” Dahn is fully aware that ending racism is not
going to happen over night, saying “it’s a long term journey but look how this [COVID-19] pandemic is driving us closer as a people!”
Transitions
As the economic effects of COVID-19 con- tinue to plague the country and protests contin- ue to drive much needed conversations on racial equality, Dahn admits he often thinks of his son who now lives in Arizona. “He has a very good job out there and really loves the climate. I doubt he’s coming back to Maryland but I keep thinking that I might want to spend the later part of my life out there in his space,” he said. In order to transition himself into truly being
retired, Dahn is looking to set up the program at City Ranch in a way that the people who take it over will “run it and not have to build it.” He is drawing on all of his past life experi- ences to be sure that City Ranch is set up for success while he also starts moving towards his next dream… “I want to sail to Africa and then travel to Israel. To sail back home.”
Congratulations Turan Atay and Three Wonderful Thoroughbreds
“Center Stage” Ribbons in the Adult Hunters and Thoroughbred Hunters Country Hill, Swan Lake and McDonogh.
“Good Time Henny”
2019 HCHSA Hopeful Hunters year end 3rd Place
Champion and Reserve and good ribbons in the Pre-Adult Hunters and Hopeful Hunters McDonogh, Country Hill, Pickwick and Brass Ring at Devon.
“Personal Magic” 2019/2020 Country Hill Horse Show Series Children’s/Adult Hunter
Champion and High Point Horse of the Year 2019 BCHSA Low Hunter year end 6th Place
0720
Thank you to Trainers Marsha Herbert and Edith Reilly and everyone at Country Hill Farm - The Atay Family
20 | JULY 2020 | THE EQUIERY A MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION 800-244-9580 |
www.equiery.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
