Beware the Man You Think You Know

***In the spring of 1959, George H. Conn edited an anthology of literary material, he found in out-of-print and rare books, focused upon the Arabian horse. The diverse collection includes poems, essays, scripture, inspirational quotes and short stories, including excerpts from the books written by Lady Anne Blunt, Roger Upton and Major General G. Tweedie.  My favorite is the story of Duldul and His Master, a work of fiction written by James Baldwin in the late 1800's and originally published in his book titled, The Horse Fair. I "tweaked" it a little bit, just in time for the spooky holiday we know as Halloween.

Once, there was a Bedouin chieftain by the name of Hatim. He was the most prosperous of all the desert sheikhs, his camp occupied a fertile oasis, in the middle of the great desert. His flocks of sheep, goats, camels and horses were the largest in the land. Hatim was a noble man, generous and kind. No guest ever left his camp empty-handed, receiving far more than a person could ever expect to receive. His compassion for his fellow man was legendary and many of his people never forgot the day when 400 men, women and children arrived in their camp, driven from their homeland by famine. Hatim ordered the slaughter of forty camels, which he then had roasted, so the people without a country could begin to satisfy the hunger that burned within them. Even in the most mundane moments of life, Hatim honored the code of conduct established by those who came before him, with honor, tolerance and kindness. When he was a child, the story of Abraham and how he had unknowingly entertained angels, had made a strong impression upon him, which he never forgot. Should an angel ever decide to visit him, he would find a comfortable place to rest, where his hunger and thirst would be met while a guest, until the moment he decided to continue his journey. 

Hatim practiced his beliefs, always with a smile upon his face and love in his heart, giving freely to all who asked, never questioning the need of those who stood before him and asked for help. Despite the goodness of Hatim's generosity, some were suspicious of his altruistic nature and felt the need to test Hatim's good nature. One such man was the Sultan of Roum, a cold-hearted ruler who was jealous of Hatim and the love people felt for him. He wasn't willing to share his people's affection with anyone, much less Hatim. He believed that Hatim's philanthropic nature was pretense, a way in which Hatim built trust, to then manipulate it for personal gain. For example, a man would say, "here is Hatim, who freely gives to the poor.  I will buy from Hatim, because he defrauds no one and I will pay his full price, rather than haggle with him, as I believe that he is being as fair with me, as he is with others." 

One day, the Sultan decided to put Hatim's generosity to the test. He wondered what Hatim cherished, that he would find impossible to give to another. He asked this question of his Vizier, who was convinced that the stories of Hatim's generosity were too powerful to be false. Here was a man who would freely give even his last mouthful of bread to anyone who asked for it. The Vizier told the Sultan that there was nothing in Hatim's possession that he would find difficult to part with. And so spies were sent out into the oasis where Hatim lived, to observe him and to find the one thing that Hatim loved, more than anything else he had ever known.  

Duldul was a sparkling white stallion, rumored to be the finest horse bred by any Bedouin in the desert. Many Bedouins have spent their lifetimes trying to breed a horse like Duldul, never to realize the level of quality that Hatim had bred within his own herd.  Duldul was raised with Hatim's children, living in the same tent with them, sharing daily life and all that goes with it. Duldul loved Hatim, for he had never been spurred or whipped and was a cherished member of Hatim's  family. 

Duldul was the fastest horse in the desert, the winner of many races, the prizes of which had made Hatim a celebrated breeder of asil desert horses. The horses that Duldul sired were the envy of the other tribesman who did not dare to wage war against Hatim, for fear of the skilled horsemen mounted on Duldul's get, who were not only as fast as their sire was but never tired. When the spies returned and told the Sultan of Duldul, the Sultan then decided that Duldul offered the greatest opportunity to test the generosity of Hatim. "I will not ask him for a price," the Sultan explained, "but I will ask for the horse as a gift. If he refuses, which I believe he will, then all the world will know that Hatim's generosity is a farce and I will finally destroy him!" 

Accompanied by ten of his finest soldiers, the Sultan sent his trusted Vizier towards the camp of Hatim. It was a long journey, made during the wettest season of the year.  For 20 long days the group made their way in the desert, meeting many challenges and experiencing great hardship. They had underestimated the difficulty of their journey and when they finally arrived at Hatim's camp, they were half-starved and in pitiable condition. Soon, a horseman, astride a magnificent stallion met them. It was none other than Hatim, mounted on Duldul, who immediately took pity on the Vizier and his men. He had quickly assessed the situation and realized that the men were in dire shape. He hastened to provide quickly for their comfort and ushered them into the most comfortable section of the largest tent in the camp. Their wet clothing was exchanged for warm, dry clothes, the best that Hatim could offer them, taken from his own personal chests. Dinner was delayed but when finally served, the men were amazed over the great variety of meats served to them. There was little food in the camp, as the rest of the tribe was still on their way back from the summer pastures. There was no fruit and a little bread to offer, however, the meats, which were broiled, boiled, roasted, made into soups and savory dishes, were beyond anyone's imagination, a reminder  of the royal meals they enjoyed at the Sultan's palace. After eating their fill, the men retired and slept soundly, which they had not done since leaving the palace. In the morning, after personally experiencing all of the bounty of Hatim's generosity, the Vizier was ashamed of the errand that the Sultan had charged him with and so,  the Vizier explained to Hatim, the Sultan's wishes.  To which Hatim replied, "if only you had told me this, when you first arrived at my camp. I was not prepared to receive guests, as we have only arrived in this oasis for a few days, the rest of my tribe and the flocks of sheep, goats, camels and horses are still on their way, having been slowed by the torrents of rain we encountered on our way home  from our summer pastures. When you arrived, wet, hungry and at death's door, what else could I do but provide comfort to you? For what would be said of me, if I failed to provide you with a warm place to sleep, dry clothes to wear and nourishing food to eat? Then my hospitality and generosity would be a falsity and people would forever know me as Hatim, who sent the hungry away from his tent unfed. I could not bear the thought of not offering my guests the nourishment that you so obviously needed. When you return to the Sultan, tell him that the horse he wished for, the horse that he sent his most trusted advisor and soldiers to find, Duldul, who knew my every wish, obeyed my every word, who brought joy to my heart and put a spring in my step, was cooked for your supper.

AIRBORNE

Above, is a new photo taken by Bar Hajaj of Ariela Arabians colt, Nile Amir AA (Al Ayal AA x Nile Massa AA). Do you see the colt's feet? All 4 hooves are off the ground! Bar Hajaj skillfully caught that moment of suspension, when the horse strikes off the ground and for a fraction of a second, is airborne. This moment remains fascinating to me, no matter how many times I see it. 

In his matriline, this young colt traces to the Babolna-bred mare, Al Hambra B, an exquisite Salaa El Dine daughter, who was named the Senior Champion mare at the 2006 Israeli Egyptian Event. She was imported and owned by my friend, Tzviah Idan and Im happy to say that she remains a key component in Tzviah's program, as well as Ariela's program. Further back in the pedigree, further back from Al Hambra B, the matriline finds its way to the celebrated foundational mare, Bint el Bahreyn, a key mare in many of the pedigrees of our legendary straight Egyptian horses, like *Bint Maisa el Saghira as an example.

***You have no idea of the kind of week it has been. OUCH! With one photo, you changed my outlook on life! Many thanks to Bar Hajaj and Ariela Arabians, for being the "911" in my life through a fabulous colt like Nile Amir***

Anuncja

In Spanish language, "Anuncia" means "announcement", like when you want to share joyful news, for example, a wedding or a new baby. I am not fluent in Polish but I imagine that "Anuncja" means similarly, for example, a special filly, representative of the Janów Podlaski stud farm, soon to make her official debut, as she goes out into the world-wide community of Arabian Horse breeding, leaving Janów Podlaski behind. Oh my.

Anuncja is sired by Borsalino K, the late Ali Jamaal son bred by Murilo Kammer of Haras Aratinga, Brazil. However, it is Borsalino's dam, the Varian-bred, Keepsake V, a Huckleberry Bey++ daughter out of a Khemosabi daughter, who is at the center of this story. In her matriline, Keepsake V traces to the celebrated Queen of Sheba, an Abeyyah, purchased in the Syrian desert by the Blunts; while her *Mirage sire line includes 3 generations of Varian stallion power: Huckleberry Bey++->Bay-El-Bey->Bay-Abi. Keepsake V, when outcrossed with *Sanadik El Shaklan, produced the prolific broodmare, La Kelila, who produced horses like Lalique V, Lily Dancer V and Latigo V, all sired by Desperado V. Combined with Encore Ali, an Ali Jamaal son, the cross is similar to Sheila's use of  *Jullyen El  Jamaal in her program. 

Anuncja is lot 2 in the forthcoming Pride of Poland Summer sale. Recognizing that approximately 25% of her genetic influence comes from the Varian program, imagine crossing her with Major Mac V, a 2012 dark bay stallion, sired by Maclintock V (Desperado V x Marigold V) and out of Majors Tiffany GA (DS Major Afire x Sabrina GA). While the blood of Queen of Sheba courses the matriline of Keepsake V; the blood of Rodania, another of the Blunt desert purchases runs through Major Mac's tail female line. Major Mac also intensifies the cross of Huckleberry Bey++ with Khemosabi, through Maclintlock V's grandam, Moska, a Khemosabi daughter, whose own daughter, Marigold V, was bred to the Huckleberry Bey son, Desperado V.

And finally, there is the matter of Angora, the dam of Anuncja. She is sired by the Monogramm son, Ganges and out of the Gazal Al Shaqab daughter, Anarchia. In tail female line, she descends from Gazella, an 1840 Kuhaylah Ajuz mare, purchased in Syria by Count Juliusz Dzieduskycki for Jarczowce Stud. Gazella founded one of the most influential families in Polish Arabian horse breeding and it is really something to realize her influence, in the same pedigree with Rodania and Queen of Sheba.

It is mares like Anuncja, who really surprise you, when you take the time to learn who they are and the opportunities they offer a prospective breeder, new or old. Many good wishes sent to all the attendees of the show and sales for the Pride of Poland Arabian Horse days, coming up this weekend.

Al Ayal "squared"

There are two Al Ayal AA daughters consigned to the Pride of Poland summer sale! With special mares like the Ekstern daughters El Dorotella and Wersa, the Al Maraam granddaughter, Ellissima, and the Zagrobla daughter, Zigi Zana, it is really challenging to choose one horse as "favorite". However, the Al Ayal daughters offer the opportunity to build a breeding program combining the genetic outcross power of 2 different breeding programs utilizing Saqlawi-type horses. The Al Ayal daughters, both foaled in 2021, are bred and owned by Michałów Stud and listed in the summer sale as lot 21, the grey mare named Kampala, out of Kasandra, an Ekstern daughter and lot 5, the bay mare, Driada, out of Dolores, a Kabsztad daughter. 

Al Ayal AA (Al Ayad x The Vision HG) bred and owned by Ariela Arabians

They are paternal siblings, bound in blood by the same sire, Ariela's outstanding Al Ayal (Al Ayad x The Vision HG). However, there's something else, that is, another close connection that both mares share, strengthening their familial relationship. Do you know what that is? 

LAHEEB

He is the sire of Poganin, the sire of Kabsztad, who sired Dolores, the dam of Driada but Laheeb is also the sire of Karolina, the maternal great-grandam of Kampala! Between the weight of influence that Al Ayal exerts in the pedigree (50%) and the percentage of influence that Laheeb carries (6.25%), both mares are just slightly less than 60% Egyptian! 

The Polish Arabian Days website includes beautifully shot video footage of every horse consigned to the sale. And that's where I lost it. I watched Kampala trot the same fence line that her maternal grandsire once trotted.  Yes, a bittersweet experience but grateful that a horse named Ekstern is still, very much alive in this world.  His daughter did that for me, all for the love of a horse...and my heart.

Important: Social License

Are you familiar with the term "social license" and how it applies to the community of people (aka horse industry) who own, breed, train, ride and care for horses? "Social license" from an equine perspective, is an agreement between the horse industry and greater society, that we will conduct our horse businesses in an ethical and moral manner. Through our activities with horses, we show that we are responsible horse owners, in sync with our horses' welfare, both physically and emotionally. This public trust results in a social license to operate. Although equestrianism and the relationship between horse and human, is ancient, the social license that exists between us and society, is tenuous, at best. For this reason, the recent news concerning beloved British dressage superstar, Charlotte Dujardin, is catastrophic. It comes at a time when society has already suffered through images of broken carriage horses,  racehorses who no longer run like the wind and are sent to slaughter and sport horses whose tongues have been cut through abusive training practices. The general public does not differentiate between sport horses and Arabians, dressage, carriage driving and western riding. While vastly different to us, the horse lovers; to the public, it is all the same. Society today, does not absorb the differences. Negative media, results in a loss of public support, which then ushers government regulation and ultimately, a ban on equine sport. Do we really want the government to become involved with horses and mess that up too? There are people who believe that the equestrian disciplines of 3-day event, Dressage and Show Jumping should be banned from the Olympics (PETA announced recently that it has renewed its interest in pursuing this action). There are still others who believe that endurance racing, Thoroughbred racing and rodeo should also be banned. And there are still others who believe that no horse should be ridden, stabled or owned by people as pets and returned to the wild, to run free across the plains. Ugh. Sounds unbelievable, right? Its a mad, mad world. Well, let me remind you of the power that these groups can exert. After the Paris Olympics, show jumping will no longer be one of the 5 components in the sport called Modern Pentathlon. In England, where fox hunting originated, the sport is now banned. In Australia, jump racing is no longer allowed. The world is changing, faster than you think it is and the developments in equine science are amazing. We know today so much more about what horses need from us, as compared to what we knew 10, 15 & 20 years ago. So, if you are not familiar with Social License, I strongly urge you to watch the World Horse Welfare video, presented by their Chief Executive, Roly Owers.  The video is a little less than 20 minutes and you will begin to understand one of the most important topics we face, as a horse-owning community. It's not far fetched to imagine that one day, we can lose our social license and then,  I am not so sure of the future that will exist for our beloved Arabian horses. 

***I am very saddened to learn the recent news concerning Charlotte Dujardin, one of the brightest dressage riders in recent times, who gave the world a most incredible horse named Blueberry. What would life be without Valegro and how he inspired us?There is alot being said about her right now, much of it is opinion based, written by people who only know of her. I just listened to a podcast where it was suggested that piaffe should be banned from the Grand Prix! There are many other places to express an opinion about Charlotte, my blog is not one of those places, so I have turned off comments to keep this respectful.*** 

A Little Something about Pride

I'm really loving Arabian Insider's new video of Al Ghanayim's Razan Al-Rayah (Bahhei Ezzain x Rana Al-Rayah). This exquisite black filly, an Abeyyah, is sired by a stallion I once knew, Bahhei Ezzain. I also knew his sire, the "dream maker" NK Qaswarah and his dam, Dhuha Al Nakeeb. So, for me, while initially a moment of surprise; the video inspires an overwhelming array of feelings for horses, people and the times shared with them. And yet, at the center of it all is pride, similar to how you feel when you attend an event  which celebrates the achievement of someone you are connected with. To realize just who Razan Al-Rayah is and to whose origin story she is part of, is also bittersweet. While Mr. Usamah Alkazemi's absence from the community of straight Egyptian Arabian horse breeding is still greatly felt, his death is not final, as his dreams are very much alive and  continue forward, as we see in this filly. 

Bahhei Ezzain (NK Qaswarah x Dhuha AlNakeeb), as photographed by Jennifer Ogden

Bahhei Ezzain, the sire of Razal Al-Rayah, is a 2010 stallion, bred by the late Mr. Usamah Alkazemi of Ezzain Arabians, Kuwait and now owned by Ms. Nayla Hayek of Hanaya Arabian Stud. He is a son of the paternal siblings, NK Qaswarah and Dhuha AlNakeeb, both horses sired by NK Hafid Jamil. In phenotype, Bahhei is strongly influenced by his dam, more so than his sire. 

Dhuha Alnakeeb (NK Hafid Jamil x Sabha Bint Ibn Halima), photographed by Jennifer Ogden 

Dhuha, bred by Mr. Hassanain Al Nakeeb,  phenotypically, exemplifies the type we have learned to associate with the Dahman strain. She has expressive black eyes, larger nostrils and finely shaped ears which, together with a thicker, longer black forelock, intensifies the dramatic look and appeal of a desert horse. She took my breath away. What is especially interesting about Dhuha is that her maternal grandam, SY Kalila, is double Bint Nefisaa, the dam of El Hilal. She traces to Bint Nefisaa in the tail female line of her sire, Ruminaja Attallah and her dam, Katourah. The dam of Bint Nefisaa is the Balance daughter, Nefisa. In addition to producing Bint Nefisaa, who figures prominently not only through El Hilal but also through her daughters Negmaa and Nourah (both mares appear in Dhuha's pedigree), Nefisa also produced by El Sareei, the mare Bint Nefisa who became an important foundation broodmare for Richard Pritzlaff, of Rancho San Ignacio. Nefisa also produced Fayza by Nazeer, (Fayza is the dam of Ramses Fayek), Nadja, who  produced Noha by Hadban Enzahi, the dam of the celebrated mare, RN Farida. This is the powerful legacy that exists within the genetic fiber of Dhuha's pedigree.  It is also interesting to consider that the high percentage of Farida blood, as found through the Halima and Nefisa lines, is balanced by the multiple lines to Bukra, via Ghazal and Ansata Rosetta. This is a significant point to underscore, as the majority of Bahei’s pedigree includes the influence of the two most important mares of the Dahman strain. 

When I was last in Kuwait, I had the opportunity to visit Rayah Al- Sharg Farm. I'm grateful to Mr. Ala'a Al-Roomi (Al Rayah) and Mr. Talal Al-Nesef (Al Sharg) for their hospitality and incredible generosity. It is because of these two amazing men, that I got to meet Ansata AlMurtajiz, an experience which changed my life forever. While my memory of the time spent visiting Rayah Al-Sharg is mainly focused upon this horse; I do remember their 2004 Ansata Hejazi son, Wadhah Al-Sharg (out of Mouna Al Rayyan), and Reem Al-Rayah, also by Ansata Hejazi and out of the gorgeous mare, Gazalah (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Nejdia). These are the "parents" of Rana Al-Rayah, the dam of the filly.

From Rayah Al-Sharg's Farm brochure, photos by Gigi Grasso

Through Gazalah, the Abeyyan matriline traces back through the revered Aisha to the Gazal daughter, Ghazala and then, Hanan, now a globally influential mare within the world of straight Egyptian breeding and a critically important mare in the Ezzain breeding program too. Combined with the blood of her paternal grandsire NK Qaswarah, who shares the same matriline; the Abeyyah influence is expressed in the self-carriage of this 3 year old filly. I'm proud of the far reaching influence of the Ezzain breeding program.

***Many thanks to Arabian Insider for the video surprise of Razan Al-Rayah. If you only knew how many times your videos have not only inspired me but encouraged me to keep going, to keep dreaming. I feel like thank you is a weak thing to say, in return for all you have given me, through the power of your video features and Podcast.***

Eyes, Souls and Horses

*Ecaho (*Pepton x Etruria) as photographed by Anette Mattsson

Bred by Janow Podlaski and foaled in 1990, *Ecaho was sired by *Pepton, whose dam Pemba, was out of Penza (a Piewica daughter), sired by Czort (Wielki Szlem x Forta), one of Poland's top racehorses and sire of *El Paso, *Sambor and *Czortan, among others.  Why is Piewica important? Piewica was a 1953 mare, bred by the Tersk Stud, and exported to the Albigowa Stud, where she stayed, until the farm closed and then, was sent to Janow Podlaski, where she became one of the most important mares in the breeding program and foundress of the beloved "P" line of horses, like *Penicylina, Pilarosa and yes, Pianissima, that "P" line.  

Do you know that *Ecaho was approximately 20% Egyptian in blood? Etruria, his dam, was a daughter of Palas, who was 75% Egyptian, being a son of Aswan (Nazeer x Yosreia) out of the Nil (Sid Abouhom x Malaka) daughter, Panel. You will remember that Nil was known in Egypt as Azmi, before he was exported to Russia. 

*Ecaho was also of the celebrated Ibrahim sire line: 

*Ecaho-*Pepton-Bandos-Negatiw-Naseem-Skowronek-Ibrahim 

and in phenotype, was representative of the type we associate with horses of the Saklawi strain. However, it is very interesting that *Ecaho traces in his tail female line back to Woloszka, an 1810 mare foaled at Slawuta Stud and foundress of the Polish female family #10. Dr. Edward Skorkowski only classified Woloszka as Saklawi, because she embodied the characteristics of the strain to the highest degree. Why is this important? Authentic Saklawi horses are all about length, that is, longer heads, longer necks, longer legs, longer back and *Ecaho, like Woloszka, was loyal to the strain, as this horse was blessed with an amazing amount of scope. Visually, *Ecaho was a celebration for the eyes, as correct conformation and classic Arabian horse type formed a harmonious union. A Polish National Champion stallion, *Ecaho is also the son of national champions, as his sire *Pepton was a Polish National Champion stallion and his dam, Etruria, was a Polish National Champion mare.  

*Ecaho was an important and consistent sire of daughters. He sired handsome sons like Skoroneek IA but it is through his daughters that *Ecaho has and continues to exercise an impact. Think of his beautiful daughter, Emanda (out of the *Eukaliptus daughter, Emanacja). She in turn, when bred to Gazal Al Shaqab, produced the beloved mare, Emandoria. Some of my favorite crosses using *Ecaho, were with the *Eukaliptus daughters like for example, Esklawa, who produced Esturia. And with strong Kuhaylan type horses, *Ecaho sired mares like Palmetta and Alhambra (out of *Fawor-sired mares). 

 *Ecaho, whose very name honors the European Conference of Arab Horse Organizations, is one of those horses, very few in number, whose appeal is not only universal, his appeal builds bridges and now, since his passing, propels his memory into the consciousness of a diverse group of enthusiasts, regardless of breeding program or preferred bloodlines.

There is a Polish saying, "A man without a horse, is like a body without a soul."  *Ecaho gives truth to this statement. Without him, our souls would have been so much poorer. With him, our souls were enriched and deeply blessed.