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***
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