Traumatic brain injury leads to revelations about human & equine balance that have helped many horses and riders.

by Martha Weckel • photos by Alfred DeCicco

On June 6, 1997, a riding accident changed hunter/jumper trainer Arlyn DeCicco’s life forever when she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Despite this serious condition and unaware of her deficits, six weeks after her head trauma she was riding again. Arlyn had to adapt to new ways of training horses due to her compromised condition.

Match-making is a key to success at the Ardalan family’s breeding, training, importing and sales business.

by Kim F. Miller

The Ardalan family’s Caspian Stables is a major source of jumpers for every level of the sport. Patriarch Arsia and daughter Tara are busy and familiar riders on the West Coast circuit and go-tos for professionals and amateurs looking for quality horses, from prospects to Grand Prix mounts. Through breeding, training and importing, the program based in San Diego County’s Valley Center prides itself on having a horse for virtually any rider at any given time.