Volume VI, Issue 2 of The Arabian Breeders Magazine is out. I received mine last weekend and you will need a box of Kleenex for this latest edition. Thank you Samantha, you really hit it "out-of-the-park" with this volume!
The issue's major focus is on Ekstern, understood through the eyes and mind of Scott Benjamin, a beloved author and authority of Polish breeding. His tribute, Farewell to the King, reminds us of just how special Ekstern was in our world. Truly, despite Ekstern's smaller size, through Scott's words, you will fully realize that Ekstern was a living giant among horses. Scott's guest editorial and subsequent articles in the issue: The Royal Lineage of Ekstern, The Enduring Excellence of Ekstern and The Influence of Ekstern at the Polish National Show 2006 - 2021 further underscore the greatness of this horse and the impact that he continues to exert through his get and grand-get. He was, as I have said previously, EXTRAORDINARY. I have read several articles on Ekstern and Scott's latest work is the best that I have read and now, have become my personal favorite. When Ekstern died, the tributes were brief and fell short of conveying the sweeping magnificence of this horse. He brought back the splendor, the wonder and the excitement of the Arabian horse through his superstar status. He is deserving of so much from us, in repayment for all he gave to us, while present in this world. Thanks Scott, for this gift to Ekstern, through your very concise and powerfully moving articles.
So, let me tell you a story. So, here I am, reading about Ekstern, tears in my eyes and a pain in my heart, while I wondered - will there ever be another horse just like him? Ekstern was so unique in his look, his powerful movement, his character and his siring excellence, particularly through his daughters. His greatness was felt on so many levels! And then, as I turned to page 5, I found:
TA Arapaho as photographed by Wojtek Kwiatkowski |
This is TA Arapaho, an Ekstern son owned by Mystic Side Arabians and photographed by Wojtek Kwiatkowski. Isn't he just totally wonderful and this particular photo inspires you with still more awe and wonder? That mane...you can lose hands and face in all that glorious hair!
TA Arapaho reminds us that while Ekstern was a strong broodmare sire, he did sire impressive sons like this significantly beautiful son. TA Arapaho is not only another part of Ekstern's amazing legacy but in those dark moments when we become lost in our grief, TA Arapaho reminds us that Ekstern is still a very vibrant part of our Arabian horse world. We can't see him anymore but we can still feel him.
Hope you all are enjoying the summer and if not, this is your "wake up" call to do just that, as we approach the halfway point of the summer. If there is one thing to learn about Ekstern's life, is that you don't have as much time as you think you have. Do something about it! And read this magazine!
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