BG Aashar was purchased as a two year old at the New Holland Auction by Michael Marino for his Red Buffalo Ranch where guided trail rides are offered by his experienced staff. BG Aashar was transferred into Mike's name with AHA on June 2, 2000, but was little used. BG Aashar was given a second chance by his young caretaker and a Red Buffalo Ranch Trail Guide, Daryl Downs, who uses BG Aashar on the ranch as his trail horse. Please read BG Aashar's story as told by Daryl Downs below:

"Well lets see how much info I can give you ...

His name is BG Aashar, (click his name to visit him at Red Buffalo Ranch), we call him Cincinnati, which he is better known as, no one really calls him Aashar. He is named after Cincinnati, General Grant's favorite horse in the Civil War, we gave him this name before we knew his real name. I started riding when I was 12, forced into it by my parents who thought it would be a great experience, I wasn't that good at riding. One day I was out cutting trees down with Mike Marino (my boss who owns Cincinnati, also raced) and he said he was going to get rid of Cince because no one was riding him. So, I asked if I would be able to ride him, and maybe race someday. Mike liked the idea that I was willing to take on a 4 year old arab so he agreed to it. No one thought I could handle the horse, let alone do anything great with him, so we were out to prove something.

Our races include 3rd out of 99 riders in the Old Dominion 50, 2nd in the No Frills 55 behind Wendy Mattingly, 1st in the Old Dominion 100 and 1st to finish in the 30 mile limited distance. Cince has an amazing disposition, he's one of the most unique horses I have ever come in contact with. He knows what he's doing and is extremely smart. In 2004, we went down to the Fort Valley 50, 10 miles into it, Cince stopped at a vet check and tied up (vet said it was one of the worst cases he had ever seen - Cince was peeing black and couldn't move) I was devestated from this and worked for months after to bring him back to where he was. April of 2005 I brought him to the No Frills 55 where I was speaking with the vet and he was amazed that Cince recovered so fast - not only that but we almost won the race! We went on to do the Old Dominion 100, people said I was crazy for even trying the OD as my first 100 mile race, I knew Cince was ready to show the world something. Half way through the race, Mike realized I had the horse to take on Danielle Kanavy McGunigal, and I did just that, beat them all by 20 minutes! This year (2006) I will start off again with the No Frills 55, then go to the Biltmore 100, 3 weeks after that I will do the Old Dominion 100 again, then October, we will Compete in the AERC National Championship. I know we are going to do well and I am confident I have one of the best endurance horses in the USA right now, and were gonna show it!"

Daryl Downs

BG Aashar is a wonderful example of the straight Egyptian Arabian athlete and how, under the right guidance, one can quickly become a diligent working ranch horse and a spectacular athletic superstar!