all for the love of a horse...: March 2022

27 March, 2022

Why We Need All of Us

Poganin (Laheeb x Pohulanka), photographer unknown

Poganin, a 2001 stallion, is sired by Laheeb (Imperial Imdal x AK Latifa) and out of Pohulanka (Pepton x Pestka). He is the sire of the mare, Esparta (see YouTube video below), the dam of Estonia. By virtue of his pedigree, he is 50% Egyptian. A little more than 10% of his Egyptian blood represents the influence of Moniet el Nefous (Shahloul x Wanisa), through her daughter by Sid Abouhom, Mabrouka. Another 10% of his Egyptian blood comes by way of *Ansata Ibn Halima, while the stallion, Sameh (El Moez x Samira) contributes 5%. The mare, Bint Sabah, foaled in 1925, represents a smaller percentage but her influence comes by way of her daughter, Bukra and daughter *Bint Bint Sabbah. It is interesting that a little more than half of the Egyptian bloodlines are dominated by these 4 horses.

On the "Polish" side, I found a similar phenomenon, however, with still fewer horses! You will remember from Estonia's pedigree, that she carries 6 lines to Piewica (Priboj x Wlodarka); 3 lines by way of the paternal side of the pedigree and 3 lines on the maternal side. Two of those 3 maternal lines (one of which is Poganin's matriline) are contributed by Poganin, at a percentage that is nearly equal to Moniet el Nefous' or *Ansata Ibn Halima's percentage of influence on the Egyptian side. The stallion, *Bandos, contributes an even higher percentage of almost 20%. So I found it interesting that on this side of the pedigree, more than half of the "Polish" side is represented by only 2 horses! Of note, the stallion, Probat (Pohaniec x Borexia) was recognized for passing correct bodies. Although we find only one line to him in Poganin's pedigree, because we find him closer up in the pedigree, he contributes 12.5% genetic influence, which is a little less than half of the combined influence of *Bandos and Piewica. So, in reading the pedigree to understand the individual we see with our eyes, we focus on these 7 horses: Moniet el Nefous, Ansata Ibn Halima, Sameh, Bint Sabah, Piewica, Bandos and Probat, combined to produce a horse of sound body, mind and spirit.

I'm not sure what I like most about Poganin, as not only is there a lot to like (there really is) but he is a substantially built, close-coupled stallion, with a well-sprung rib cage, deep through the heart girth and generously muscled in the forearm, as well as the gaskin. He is broad of chest and wide in the back and yet, he is a most balanced horse, a quality that I attribute to the presence of *Ansata Ibn Halima in the pedigree. His skin quality is fine, very deeply pigmented, enhancing the sculpted look, through the prominence of bone and vein. His head is short, wide with large, luminous black eyes, intensifying the look of a noble desert horse. While the stallion Probat was praised for his strong and correct body, he was also recognized for a beautiful head, a trait that we also find in Poganin.

Over his show career, he was an extremely successful show horse, named a Polish National Champion Stallion in 2007, as well as a 4-time Top Ten World Champion Stallion at the Salon du Cheval, in addition to wins all over Europe, namely in Aachen, Prague, Moorsele and Verona. No matter where he was shown, his correct body, type and charisma were recognized and rewarded, winning new fans and satisfying those who already were in love with this horse. He has proven himself as a sire, his continuing legacy strengthened by mares like Estonia.

24 March, 2022

Estonia: Strength & Beauty Personified

At the 2022 Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship Show, held this past weekend (March 18, 19 & 20), the 2015 grey mare named Estonia, was shown Friday, in Class 6, for 7-to-9 year old mares. A strong-bodied mare with unbelievable smoothness and outstanding Arabian horse type, she is sired by Palatino (Pesal x Palmeta) and out of Esparta (Poganin x Epoka). Bred by Janow Podlaski Stud, Estonia is owned by Yousif Ahmed Abdullatif Ahmed Al Ali.

At first glance, I noticed Laheeb (Imperial Imdal x AK Latifa), the sire of Poganin, the sire of Esparta, the dam of Estonia. Laheeb represents a small portion of the pedigree but combined with Aswan through his son, Palas (out of the Nil daughter, Panel), his daughter, Parma and granddaughter, Pilarka, Estonia's percentage of Egyptian blood rises to almost 25%!

However, a bigger story within the pedigree is the influence of the mare, Piewica (Priboj x Wlodarka), through Pentoda, Pemba and Pilarka. Each one of these 3 mares appears twice, once on the paternal side, the other on the maternal side. Piewica, a 1953 mare, was bred in Russia, at 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.

One of the most beautiful stallions ever, across a wide variety of bloodlines, was *Bandos (Negatiw x Bandola) who appears multiple times, through his daughters: Pentoda and Etencja and sons: *Eukaliptus and Pepton [double Pepton in this case, as he is the sire of *Ecaho (the sire of Palmeta, the dam of Palatino) and Pohulanka (the dam of Poganin)]. Together with his maternal sibling, Banat (by El Azrak), both horses intensify the influence of the beloved mare, Bandola (Witraz x Balalajka).

The stallion *Fawor (Probat x Fatma), like *Bandos, appears multiple times in the pedigree and his presence within the genetic mix, helps to better explain Estonia, conformationally, that is, where her strong and correct body comes from. In combination with the Probat daughter, Pestka, I want to believe that the Blommerod Stud-bred Probat, only strengthens the influence of Fawor in the pedigree. Probat, as an individual, was recognized for his correct body, which he passed consistently to his get. The Polish Studs leased Probat for 4 years, to incorporate his influence in their breeding program. One look at Estonia and I understand and appreciate the continuing influence of Probat.

In the opening footage of the video, with tail held high, Estonia marches confidently into the view of the judges. Her attitude or rather, charismatic appeal, encouraged me to watch the video to the end and then, many more times after that. I appreciate mares who are substantially-conformed, with the proper skeletal and muscular structure to deliver an electrifying brilliance in all their movements, while still embodying the unique features that identify the individual as an Arabian horse. Estonia teaches us that beauty and strength are not compromised, one for the other. It is possible to find both, in one individual.

***with many thanks to Arabian Essence, for making the videos of the 2022 Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship available on YouTube***

12 March, 2022

HC Abla Raqqas

HC Abla Raqqas is a 2013 Hadidi daughter, out of Ravenwood Sensation (Ravenwood Majesty x Ravenwood Cody). She was bred by Deborah Hurdle of Heritage C Egyptian Stud and is owned by my friend, Christine Emmert. She was bred to her home-bred Nour Al Kamar MH son, Ameer El Koloob [out of *DHS Tarah (Lohim x Teebah)] and has settled, for a foal in 2023.

An initial study of HC Abla Raqqas' pedigree reveals a fascinating story, as it unites several key breeding programs across the world, namely Gleannloch with Marbach, The Babson Farm, Albadeia, Pritzlaff (by way of Rafter G and Ravenwood Ranch), plus as an added bonus, an infusion of additional EAO blood through the harder-to-find stallion, Akhtal (Amrulla x Hagir). If the breeding to Ameer El Koloob is successful, the pedigree of the resulting foal will be an uncommon one, expanded to include the breeding programs of Martha Murdoch's Rocaille Ranch by way of Ursula and Willi Poth's program, plus the EAO-founded programs of Shams El Asil and the Rabab Stud. The global aspect of the straight Egyptian breeding community is underscored many times by the thought of a pedigree that will read like this!

Digging a little deeper within the pedigree of HC Abla Raqqas, you will discover an interesting relationship between Ravenwood Majesty and Ravenwood Cody on the maternal side of the pedigree. They are paternal siblings, both sired by RG Al Mone (Alcibiades x RG Anemone). The stallion Alcibiades was a *Bint Moniet el Nefous son, so the influence of this wonderful mare is doubled. There are other sources of Moniet el Nefous blood in the pedigree, for example, through Mabrouka and *Soufian, which are somewhat different from *Bint Moniet el Nefous, on account of the sires of those horses: Sid Abouhom and Alaa el Din. Still, these horses, combined in the pedigree create a concentrated pocket of Moniet el Nefous' genetic influence within the pedigree. The stallion Anter, is also a horse whose influence is intensified in the pedigree, through his son, Gharib, in the sire line, as well as his daughter, *Somaia in the tail female line. You will remember that *Somaia was one of two Anter/Abla daughters imported by Gleannloch (the other was *Eman). I want to also believe that the multiple crosses to Hamdan, further enhance the Anter crosses in the pedigree. And, as if having Farida in the matriline is not already a great thing, her influence is further strengthened through horses like Noha (the tail female line through Nefisa), *Soheir II (the tail female line of Fagir) and *Ansata Ibn Halima (the sire of El Hadiyi, who appears twice). Incidentally, as a postscript, Noha is the dam of the beautiful mare, RN Farida. You can observe a little of the family resemblance in the opening photo of the blog.

Power in the blood: HC Abla Raqqas with all 4 feet off the ground. Photo by Christine Emmert

It's not that these horses are better than other Egyptian horses, that's not what I am trying to say. Throughout my years of study, the horses who make-up the ancestry of HC Abla Raqqas are the horses that I have learned to look for, as they more consistently produce the type of horse that appeals to me, that is, strong-bodied mares with broad chests, deep heart girths, wider backs and powerfully muscled hind ends. I see all of this and more in this mare. She is strongly reminiscent in her phenotype of the Anter/Abla daughters and yet, the strength of her body is made better through the emphasis of Farida and the power she continues to exert through the generations to improve the coupling, as well as *Ansata Ibn Halima, who contributes balance and classic type. Let us not forget the Saqlawi elegance of Moniet el Nefous and that little bit of length she contributes to the frame of this mare. I am reminded of what Judith Forbis had said after meeting Abla at the EAO, "a very classic, pretty-headed and strong-bodied Nazeer daughter." I feel that today, one can describe HC Abla Raqqas with the same words said by Judi over 60 years ago.

***all photos by Christine Emmert, an equine photographer who continues to awe me with her incredible artistry and skill.***

06 March, 2022

AJ Radar

The dam of AJ Radar is The Princess of Egypt, a 1997 Orayan (Maysoun x Ora) daughter out of Shahneekha (Anaza Bay Shahh x Anaza Dineekha). What's interesting about The Princess of Egypt? Two things, off the top of my head:

She is a maternal sister of Sharuby HP (by Maydan-Madheen), the dam of the celebrated stallion, Shaheen Al Waab.
The stallion, Farid HP (by Farres) is also a son, making AJ Radar a maternal sibling.

Hadban, by virtue of his matriline, tracing through the pure-in-strain (and Nazeer daughter) Bint Fathia; AJ Radar is overwhelmingly Dahman, as 15 lines (out of 32 possible lines) in his 5th generation (great-great-great grandparents) are horses of this strain.

AJ Radar's sire is Al Bilal, an Al Maraam son, out of Bahiha (Baahir x Imperial Imtiarah).

A 2009 stallion bred by Ajman Stud, AJ Radar is now owned by Turkey Sultan Juma Yaqoot and was shown this weekend at the 2022 Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival, placing 7th in Class 12, for stallions aged 10-years old and older.

***with many thanks to Arabian Essence, for making the videos of the 2022 Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival available on YouTube***

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MY FAVORITE WEBSITE

If you want to understand the desert Arabian horse on a deeper level, then you will want to visit Daughters of the Wind, a blog maintained by Edouard al-Dahdah, since 2008. It's my favorite place to visit, on a regular basis. For me personally, the information that Edouard presents is at times so profound, that I find myself weeks, even months later, still thinking about what he has written. I consider him a treasured source of inspiration and for the times that I don't feel like writing anymore, a significant source of encouragement. In one place, you will be able to read of the horses, their heritage; as well as the culture, traditions and the geography of the land, from where they originated. I strongly encourage you to visit his blog to broaden your understanding and deepen your appreciation for the Bedouin-bred horse.

MY FAVORITE WEBSITE X 2

The Horse In Word and Picture is the blog of Rania el Sayed, a very talented photographer, whose equine photography is second-to-none. I still remember when I first learned of Rania, it was all because of the late Dr. Nasr Marei. At the time, Nasr published an article that featured Rania's photography. I was thrilled by the photography and later, "meeting" Rania was one of the highlights of my horse life. I loved her photo of Mangooma and Rania, in an act of kindness never to be forgotten, let me use her photo in my blog. Thanks Rania for all of your support. You'll love Rania's blog and all of the equine topics she covers, including the straight Egyptian Arabian Horse. She really pushes me to think deeply about things that I haven't thought in a while. And you don't have to join Facebook, to read her posts. .

MY FAVORITE BOOK

One of the questions that I am asked most frequently is which book(s) do I recommend? Judith Forbis', The Classic Arabian Horse, published in 1976, is MY FAVORITE BOOK...EVER. Prior to the publication of this book, we really didn't have anything that compiled the history, the bloodlines & breeding practices and conformation (including breed type) of the straight Egyptian horse in one volume. You had to dig through multiple sources, sometimes in languages foreign to one's own, to try and develop an understanding of the Egyptian Arabian horse. So, this is my recommendation to you today, especially if you are just starting, this is the most important book you will ever own. You can find the book on Amazon, previously owned, at a very affordable price.

A NEW FAVORITE BOOK

Many times, I have heard other enthuiasts say, "if only I could get into the mind of this breeder and understand the Arabian horse as he or she does!" Dr. William Hudson, a long-time breeder, weaves together his lifetime of experiences including the latest developments in equine genetic science with the history, art and culture of the Arabian horse. This is not the type of book that you will read, cover-to-cover, in one sitting. You will find yourself turning to this massive 1,500 page, 2-volume set, over and over. If you love Arabian horses and want to understand the breed intimately, on a deeper level, this is the only book you will ever need to own. If you are breeding Egyptian Arabian horses, I urge you to purchase this 2-volume set before you breed one more horse!

MORE FAVORITE BOOKS...

One of the questions that I am asked most frequently is which book(s) do I recommend? Previously, I mentioned Judith Forbis' THE CLASSIC ARABIAN HORSE which is a great introduction to the breed and to Egyptian Arabian horses specifically. But now, you have read that book and are ready to go deeper. So, this is the book that I recommend reading (VOLUME II ) without hesitation. It's fantastic. The depth of this book, within tail female lines, sire lines and strains found in Egyptian (EAO) breeding is not found anywhere else. If you are serious about the Egyptian Arabian horse, whether a breeder, student or enthusiast, you must read this book, at least once!

STILL MORE FAVORITE BOOKS

In the Preface, Dr. Nagel wrote, "Since it is claimed that the Arabian horse breed is one of the oldest on earth, one has to accept that it is also in the crossfire of many opinions which sometimes clash vigorously. There are obviously many doubts and errors, and the advocates of different concepts seem to be not ready to settle on a common stance. It should encourage the reader to think...The refreshing variety of thoughts surrounding this noble member of the great family of horses should not be lost." Whether you agree or disagree with Dr. Nagel, is not what is important but rather, the resulting thought that this book will inspire. I can't even tell you how many times I have read this wonderful book cover-to-cover. It's one of the more provocative books that I have ever read and each time I have read it, a part of the book that had not impacted me previously, will cause me to think deeply for days, weeks and even months at a time. So, dear reader, I recommend this book to you, in the hope that it will inspire you to think deeply about our breed and examine why, you feel the way you do.

"The ideal Arabian type is recognizable at sight to the experienced horseman and novice alike. It falls short of the ideal if it reminds one of another horse or breed. It falls short of the ideal if it is so plain and uncertain of type as to require a sign: 'This is an Arabian horse.' It falls short of the ideal if it is so coarse and masculine as to remind one of a small Percheron, at one extreme, or so highly animated and elf-like as to remind one of a gazelle at the other extreme. The ideal type stands out alone. You know it immediately when you see it."-Ben Hur, from his 1951 Western Horseman article, Type in the Arab

In the summer of 2006, when I discovered Blogger, the last thing on my mind was creating a blog. At the time, I had been participating in a popular Egyptian Arabian horse website and desired to find a website that would allow me to "cut-and-paste" the posts that I had written for future reference. From those humble beginnings, this blog was born. I'm not a professional writer and although I want to say that writing is a hobby; I think it is better to say that I write for the love of the breed. I've had the good fortune to meet a number of horses who are now considered legendary, as well as some really wonderful people, who are equally legendary. Over the years, people have suggested that I charge a subscription fee or pursue paid sponsorships but you know how money changes everything and this blog, after all, is a labor of love. So, there you have it, the story of the blog. Many thanks to the people who make this blog doable, for example, where would I be without any of the photographers, the "visual storytellers" of our breed, who allow me to post their pictures and to the authors of the many books and magazine articles that I have read over the course of 45 or so years, helping to educate a long ago kid, crazy in love with Arabian horses. And finally, an overwhelming amount of gratitude for you dear readers, for coming here to this place, to read, discover and celebrate this common ground we share, all for the love of an Arabian horse.