A Song for Karen

DF Karen's Song is a 2010 grey mare bred by Susan Robertson and named in honor of her late sister, Karen. She is now owned by Christine Emmert, whom many people know through her equine photography. I took Christine's photo through an AI program to create the smoky background and remove distractions like fencing and trees. I did not use AI to alter or enhance the mare. She doesn't need it. She is perfect as is. Her full sister, DF Faaiqs Farida is part of the Dubai Stud's breeding program.

"Song" as she is called, foaled a beautiful filly, Kinz el Koloob in 2025, sired by Christine's home-bred Ameer el Koloob (Nour Al Kamar MH x DHS Tarah), a young stallion who is now in Australia with Diane Wilson.

Song's sire Faaiq El Madheen, is the result of breeding paternal siblings together: MB Ibn Sehnab and MB Masaleena, both horses sired by Imperial Madheen. To take this family connection one step further, Imperial Madheen is the son of Messaoud (Madkour x Maymoonah) who also sired Orashan, the sire of Imperial Orbilahh, the dam of MB Talmaar, who sired Manintha Maymoon, Song's dam. Maymoonah appears a 4th time in the pedigree, through her son, Maymoon, by Kaisoon.

Also on the maternal side of the pedigree, you will find another familial connection between Halim El Mansour , the sire of Bint Bint Maymoon (Song's maternal grandddam) and El Halimaar, the sire of Maar Bilahh, Imperial Orbilahh's dam. Halim El Mansour and El Halimaar were full siblings, sired by *Ansata Ibn Halima, out of RDM Maar Hala. Between the genetic influence of Messaoud and his sons, Orashan and Madheen, plus *Ansata Ibn Halima and his sons, El Halimaar, Halim El Mansour and El Hilal, almost half of the pedigree (45%) is represented by 7 stallions! Of course, any discussion of families would be remiss without mentioning the matriline, which in this case traces to Rodania, the celebrated desert war mare purchased by the Blunts for Crabbet Stud. Her daughters, grandaughters and great-grandaughters have continued to impact breeding programs, all over the world and remain relevant, to this day. However, the matriline is made even more special through the German-bred stallion, Manal, the sire of Zeemana, great great granddam of Song. Manal was sired by Anchor Hill Halim, a Hadbah (Fabah x Fa Deene) son out of Silima, an *Ansata Ibn Halima daughter out of Asal Sirabba. What's really interesting is how this line, rooted in Babson breeding as it is, complements the matriline of MB Masaleena, the dam of Faaiq El Madheen. Through Amal Albadeia, she goes back to a mare named Zahra, a 1922 grey mare purchased as a 5-year old by King Fouad, from her breeder, Prince Mohamed Aly Tewfik. To combine the blood of Rodania with the genetic influence of the Prince Mohamed Aly horses is a horseman's dream come true. All for Karen, all for the love of a horse.

Halima

Halima, a bay Sheikh el Arab daughter out of Ragia (Ibn Rabdan x Farida)

 Not a flattering photo of Halima, some may even criticize me for using it. I spoke with Judi Forbis and she didn't care much for the photo. Since the photo has been kicked around on different social media sites, I "colorized" it, for a different perspective. I like the photo, as it very obviously shows the desert-like dryness of Halima's head, the prominence of bone in her face, plus, a real muzzle that requires 2 cupped hands to hold it.

Halima, a 1944 broodmare, represented the classic breeding formula used by General Tibor von Pettko-Szandtner at the EAO: Mansour top-crossed onto Ibn Rabdan. Combining Sheikh El Arab (Mansour x Bint Sabah) with Nazeer, also a Mansour son, intensified the impact of the Ali Pasha Sherif horse, Saklawi I, and yet, was also a very smart decision, as Nazeer was known for carrying the influence of a mare forward, to the next generation. If that statement is correct and truthful, then it speaks volumes of Halima's quality, in spite of the photo.

In closing and offered in tribute, is a sweet poem, written by Shahwan, included in Judith Forbis' Authentic Arabian Bloodstock, Volume I (the blue book):

I love you, O Dahmah 

As if you were part of me 

And my family, 

And though there may be horses many 

You are more to me 

Than all the others.

Light & Shadows

It has been a while dear reader, thank you for your patience. Despite the disturbing headlines, a rapidly changing natural world, the unexpected deaths of loved ones and brutally hard economic times; you will find that joy still remains a plentiful theme here, common ground for more than several blogs. 

Joy, the bright, warm light in a cold, dark world is like a new foal, prancing alongside its dam, every step airborne, as if the foal is trying hard not to float away, like a helium-filled balloon held by a string. The foal's tail, curved over its back, only adds to the joy-filled image.  Therefore, while thinking about this image may make us feel happy; joy is not equal to happiness, a fast and fleeting emotion, not meant to last.  Joy, on the other hand, runs deeper, a feeling that arises when we are content and fully connected to the thing itself which provides the joy we feel. Through joy, the Arabian horse inspires us to focus our attention solely upon him, instilling a desire to further develop the relationship with him.

The Arabian show ring can be an extraordinary experience, if we remain mindful of the accolade and the temptation to feed our insatiable hunger for recognition, power, riches, all of which eventually, take us further away from the horse than we want to be. If we succumb to these temptations, the horse becomes the means for something else, something darker, something which lacks the light of joy.  We must resist the distractions and remember why we chose the Arabian horse in the first place. 

***The photo above was taken by Christine Emmert of Princeton Maarena (Serr Maariner x Princeton Gamila). Christine's husband was also part of the photo and I used AI to remove him and create the smoky background which inspired today's blog.

***I love Substack! Matt Brown is a 5-star event rider and a pretty good author too. His Substack, The Woman in 34C, inspired me to write this blog too.

Random Thoughts on Equine Wholeness

He really loved people...an honest to goodness "live-in-your-tent-horse," Haliluyah MH (El Halimaar x RDM Maar Hala) with Melissa McCarty Raulerson

For 20 years or so, I have blogged about individual Arabian horses, like many other similarly-minded breed enthusiasts you will find currently on Facebook, Instagram and other forms of social media. Despite the great storytelling, are we using this shared knowledge to make better, more informed breeding decisions? Have we incorporated the genetic influences of the horses presented in social media outlets or am I placing more weight on what may be just "feel good" stories solely meant to entertain us?

A few weeks ago, I was listening to an interview that Paul Kostial had with Joel Desmarteau of Markelle Arabians. Joel, the breeder of the celebrated stallion, Marajj (Marwan Al Shaqab x RGA Kouress), repeatedly stressed the value of the matriline throughout the interview.

"And when you have a strong proven tail female line, you can start seeing patterns and consistencies with structure and presence and look that they give and that gives you something to rely on." - Joel Desmarteau

It's not that what Joel was saying is brand new, never before said; it's just that in our current breeding culture, the role of the stallion is so unrealistically over-stated, which is a bit weird when you stop to consider that the breed has always been matriline-focused. It's like we want to tell whomever will listen that we honor the Bedouin tradition, while still grasping a western sire line perspective, especially if you own and stand a stallion.

When my friend, Gari Dill-Marlow was alive, she helped raise awareness for and appreciation of elite mare lines, across all breeding groups. She treasured mares who reproduced their equal or better, especially in male form. She felt that in this way, a breeder could dominate a pedigree faster and more completely with a particular matriline, both top and bottom. 

These days, I find myself thinking a bit differently about Arabian horse breeding and I can't help but wonder over a fractured understanding of the breed, through segregation by bloodline. Maybe the breed would be better served if our breeding focus would be on equine wholeness (to borrow a holistic concept) instead of horses who by virtue of their pedigree, fit within the parameters of a highly favored bloodline group. Equine wholeness promotes horses who are sound of mind, body and spirit, that is, mentally stable, emotionally balanced individuals, with a spirit that is loyal to the breed, desirous of human connection, possessing the correct structure (conformation) and free from systemic  diseases, which allows said horse to function within an intended discipline free from pain, lameness or medication needed to treat said conditions.

Ensign to Fadaan

In the late 1930s, General J.M. Dickinson, purchased Gulastra from W.R. Brown. He bred Gulastra to *Aziza, one of the mares that W. R. Brown had imported from Egypt, producing the stallion, Julep in 1939. It is through Julep's son, Julyan, that the sire line of Mesaoud exists in straight Egyptian breeding. 

Julyan sired the 1966 bay stallion, Ensign.

Although Ensign is recorded for having sired 28 purebred foals; Al Khamsa recognizes only 2 of those foals: the 1969 chestnut stallion named Julyen and the 1972 chestnut mare, TF Aurora. It is through TF Aurora that this smaller branch of the Julyan/Mist Aana family remains extant in SE breeding.  Ensign was one of 6 foals that resulted from the cross of Julyan with the Hallany Mistanny daughter, Mist-Aana. El Reata Juan (1968) was their black stallion, while Julyana (1964), Julyanne (1967) and Bint Mist Aana (1972) were the 3 bay daughters. 

I found their 1971 son, Fadaan, really interesting  because he was so different! While the body color of his full siblings were either dark bay and black, Fadaan was grey, a coat color which I have noticed to intensify Arabian breed type dramatically. Add to this fairytale image a beautiful neck, a compact frame and big black eyes, and he is physically representative of what most people envision an Arabian horse to be.

Through Bint Maaroufa, found on the sire side of the pedigree and Aana, on the maternal side, are 2 lines to the ethereal, Fay-El-Dine, a double great grandsire of Fadaan. This is the interesting thing about genetics and how the impact of one ancestor, whose role is found way back, in the 4th and 5th generations is expressed. I am also sure that the additional crosses of Fadl and his full sister, Maaroufa,  helped to bolster the genetic presence of Fay-El-Dine! 

***Many thanks to the Facebook groups like Arabian Horse Historical Photos, Babson Egyptian Enthusiasts and Al Khamsa Community plus, Sheila Cone and Brittany N Thompson for the body shot photo of Ensign and Fadaan. Without you, this blog post would not exist***

Love is in the Air

Valentines day reminds me of the greatest equine love story that I know. 

Love Is In the Air 

Everywhere I look around (I look around...) 

Love Is In The Air 

Every sight and every sound (and every sound...) - lyrics from Love is in the Air, written by Harry Vanda & George Young

In the mid-60's, *Ansata Ibn Halima went to Gleannloch Farms to be shown and also, to breed the mares that the Marshalls had already imported from Egypt, before the arrival of *Morafic. In Judith Forbis' charming book, The Gift; she writes in the voice of her horse, touching upon the relationship that *Ansata Ibn Halima shared with one of the imported Gleannloch mares, *Bint Maisa El Saghira (Nazeer x Maisa): 

"My favorite traveling companion was Bint Maisa El Saghira, who often told me to calm down and relax. She became a very stabilizing influence during my show career. A tall bay mare beloved for her beauty and charm, she won admirers wherever she went. She too collected many halter championships as well as performance championships in English pleasure. Together we were wonderful ambassadors for the Egyptian Arabian horse because we were kind, handsome and athletic." 

Dahmah Shahwaniah was the result of the affection that both horses shared for each other. I don't think a greater love story exists in any breed, let alone the Arabian breed, across all bloodlines. 

 ***originally posted in February of 2023 and brought forward in celebration of Valentines day. Enjoy with my best wishes***

Pashas, Princes & Kings

NK Qaswarah (NK Hafid Jamil x NK Nariman) as photographed by Alaa Youssef Jr.   

This time of the year always reminds me of Ezzain and it still hurts like hell to know that NK Qaswarah is no longer alive but I can express the same sentiment for his owner, Mr. Usamah Alkazemi.  I wish it were not so in either case.

 13 years ago, Ezzain was home to 45 or so horses.  Approximately half of those horses were sired by NK Qaswarah and additionally, 12 horses were sired by a Qaswarah son like Aneesilnefous (x NK Momtaza) and Yaasoob (x NK Nada). If I had not fully understood the critical role that NK Qaswarah held at Ezzain prior to my visit, I was overwhelmed when faced with the reality of his importance in Kuwait. 

In Dr. Nagel's book, The Arabian Horse: Nature's Creation and The Art of Breeding, he wrote the following about NK Qaswarah, 

"NK Qaswarah is producing a very distinctive type with stunning expression and is among those stallions which are strong in producing excellent males and females."

Monika Savier in a Tutto Arabi article written at the time of NK Hafid Jamil's death, mentions NK Qaswarah too,

"This NK Hafid Jamil son was an eye catcher from birth on and left as a young colt for Ezzain Stud in Kuwait. All his life he was surrounded mostly by NK daughters who were, however, of different mare lines‐a unique situation. NK Qaswarah created his own kingdom; nowhere can you see finer Arabians and prettier heads than in this stud."

I went to Kuwait having seen many photos of Qaswarah that Usamah Alkazemi shared with me, but it is really different to see the horse, in real life, standing before you, as compared to seeing the horse in the photo. Such was the experience I had with Qaswarah. I was overwhelmed by him despite being familiar with the horse and understanding the significance of all that had been written about him by people I admire, including his breeder.  He was stronger-bodied and more robust than he appeared in photos. That surprised me, he was no toy horse. In his presence, you felt the strength of his character and, immediately, felt compelled to honor him with respect. He enjoyed to be scratched on his back, especially by the wither and I appreciated the opportunity to engage with him, to touch the living, real horse, the "smilemaker," as Usamah referred to him. I remember that his back was significantly wider and stronger than many horses I had met; I could feel the immense power emanating from every muscle in his body. And yes, he was balanced, as if every part of his body was made, only for him. 

As Dr. Nagel already has said, NK Qaswarah was a consistent sire, equally siring memorable horses of both genders who possess his quality, for example, the full sisters: Badrilbdoor and Shamsilshmous (both out of Azhaar), Dorrah and her full brother Aneesilnefous (both out of NK Momtaza), Ekramilbari (out of NK Yasmin), Alttafilbari (out of Ajmal Ibtihaj) and Thettwa (out of Albaheiah). These were my personal favorites. NK Qaswarah defined the Ezzain breeding program with a very unique look that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Over his lifetime, NK Qaswarah has proven to be the type of horse that at one time, inspired Pashas, Princes and Kings with his beauty and the ability to pass it on. I am none of these men but still, equally inspired as these men were. It is only now, in this season of my life that I am able to understand Usamah's bold appreciation for his stallion. I am grateful for the opportunity he provided to me, that is, to go beyond the photo and experience how the dream of one man, became the cornerstone for yet another man's dream and from Ezzain, Qaswarah became the source of many, more dreams, in the hearts of Arabian horse lovers all over the world.