Shared by the Arabian Jockey Club -We LOVE Arabian Horses
When a bond is so apparent, that most judges comment on how beautiful it is, you know it’s a match made in heaven. Meet Norma Corbin and her #racebredarabian dance partner, Sand Lilly (Burning Sand x Tri Tiki Joy by Seyvilla Triumph) of Contra Costa County in Northern California. Sand Lilly, a 2012 grey mare, hit the board in 8 of 10 starts with a 3-2-3 record and $18,808 in earnings in Texas and California from 2015 to 2016. Sand Lilly raced for the renowned Arabian owners and breeders, Joe and Betty Gillis of Allegro Arabians, and when she retired, Norma was thrilled to take over.
Originally, Norma intended to breed ‘Lilly,’ but when the breeding did not take, she thought, “Maybe I should start showing her.” Though it had been 40 years since she had last shown, it was a seamless transition for the pair. Lilly took to the sport horse life like she had been doing it for ages!
Norma and Lilly have competed in a myriad of disciplines from English Trail to, most recently, Dressage. Lilly’s active and brilliant mind loved the challenges that English Trail brought, and Norma was a bit concerned she wouldn’t love dressage because they would have to go back to the basics and her trainer is all about precision. Of course, Lilly proved the opposite. “Whatever I throw her way, she takes to it so nicely,” Norma shares and hopes to continue up the levels!
In 2023, Lilly was the high point horse in Dressage for the Diablo Arabian Horse Association. In 2024, at the Pacific Slope Championship Show, the pair were the Reserve Champion in Arabian English Trail Horse ATR and seventh in A/AH/AA Dressage Training Level ATR. Since 2019, they have been in the top ten 13 times at recognized shows.
What makes Lilly so special is her sweet demeanor and her love for Norma. The adventures the two have taken and the time they have spent together have resulted in an incredible bond obvious to whoever meets them. “I take her places often and she is so easy to handle,” Normal tells us, including trail riding with friends across the foothills of Mt. Diablo.
Looking ahead, Norma and Sand Lilly will continue focusing on Dressage, with their next show coming up in April. Norma continues to contribute to Arabian racing and is partnered in a 3 year old Race-bred Arabian preparing to begin his racing career. We wish you two all the successes in 2025!