Most everyone in the horse show world knows Jim Lowe of Lowe Show Horse Centre and his branded group of youth and adult amateurs known as the Lowe Riders. Jim has been training, showing and breeding Arabians since the early 70’s and obtained his judge’s card in 1980 at the ripe age of 22. Through the years, you’ve seen him at horse shows, in advertisements, articles, books, calendars and such. He’s known and respected by many even outside of the Arabian horse circle. For one reason, because he’s been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth but mostly because he’s just a likable guy. He’s first in line if ever someone calls for help, he’s honest almost to a fault, never has an ill word to say about anyone (even if it’s warranted), he can make you laugh to the point were you think you might piddle your pants and he’s the hardest working man I’ve ever known. So here’s what you might not know about Jim Lowe.
If you asked him over 11 years ago when we first met if he envisioned his future with children, he would have likely said, “No, I really don’t think so.” And if you asked him if he would be a father of four (with a newborn at age 51), he would have said, “Definitely not.” But hearts and minds change, and he’s now the most adoring father of four children who look amazingly more like him than me. (I look like the adopted one in the family.) Slayde is 6, Diesel is 4, Arista is 3 and Venzia is 15 months. Even with almost 30 years of Regional and National Championships on his resume, Jim would consider his children to be his greatest accomplishments in life. For him, there’s no accolades equal to or greater than his family.
I do on occasion take part of the credit in all of this as I had always envisioned having a large family. He knew my intentions from day one … that was part of the deal if this was to be a forever thing. So, life happened and it’s been Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride ever since.
We’ve lived in California for most of our lives.
Jim was a Michigan transplant when he was in his twenties and I’m a home grown California native.
In 2002, we purchased an equestrian facility just north of Los Angeles. It was a foreclosure property (so it was pretty much a mess) but it had great bones, a huge barn and was rich with history. Our property was once owned by Hollywood socialite and actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, who used it as her city escape. Her retreat home became our very small main residence — a 1940’s concrete block house with no air, no heat and we shared a bedroom with our children. There were five of us in one room at the time we finished building our new home in 2008.
Our property is also 20 acres West of the old Binglin Stable established by Bing Crosby and Lindsay Howard (son of Charles Howard, owner of Seabiscuit), and it’s rumored that Seabiscuit is buried there. We’ve spent the last 8 years bleeding, sweating and crying while transforming a run-down ranch into a horse and man’s paradise. We are very proud … proud and immensely blessed.
Our association with Show Season is actually two-fold. Jim’s first purchase was a teal colored Western shirt that is immortalized in his 1985 U.S. National Champion Western Pleasure photograph. It was his first National Championship and a moment that rings as being highly memorable, not only for Jim but for the spectators who witnessed an overly excited 27-year-old. (If you were there, you know exactly what I’m speaking of.) He has counted on Show Season and one of our dearest friends Melissa Holmes, to suit him up in styles that are current and professional but which always express the little bit of rebel in him. They have been the place we go to year after year, not only for their unparalleled experience and service, but because their suits are simply superior in quality. For a professional, when you exhibit in as many as 20 classes at any given show, it’s got to hold up and still look good for the next 20 and beyond.
I met the staff of Show Season while helping put together a few of his suits which lead to my own association with them. I own a graphic design and marketing business and I produce the Show Season advertisements as well as the monthly Show Season Buzz.
I’m not a “horse girl” but I’m very much a part of the horse world. While Show Season
is busy making my husband look good in the show ring, I’m busy making Show Season look good in print.
It’s been our personal connections and friendships with the people in this business which have kept us both “employed” and have turned employment positions into fulfillments of our passions. We are all connected by the amazing horses that ask so little of us and give us so much in return. They have become the introductions to treasured, life-long relationships. And while the show seasons can be long and hard on a marriage and family life, we continue this journey because life without the horses and the people involved with them, would simply feel incomplete.”
SHOWING AT NATIONALS?
It’s a few short weeks before U.S. Nationals. Time to try on all your show clothing for repairs and alterations so we can get the necessary items repaired before we leave. SHOW SEASON will have limited availability for on-site alterations during the show.
To avoid disappointment, give us a call and get your clothing to us no later than October 1.
VACATION TIME AT SHOW SEASON
Time for the SHOW SEASON staff to re-charge our batteries now that the Canadian Nationals has wrapped and school is starting. Our breathing time will be
August 27 — September 6. We will be back to hit it hard on Tuesday the 7th.
Give us a call as our design minds will be refreshed!
Share your photos with our facebook fans
Have you joined our 5,200+ fans on FACEBOOK? Post your show pictures on our SHOW SEASON fan page and tell us about your 2010 Show Season! Go to 192.185.154.251/~showseas and click on the FACEBOOK icon to become a fan and post your favorite photos.
A safe journey to everyone as you travel this great country!