HR Roujuan

As stated in a previous blog, the Mesaoud sire line, in straight Egyptian form, is in critical danger of completely disappearing from our gene pool, with a small handful of horses descending from the only 2 surviving straight Egyptian branches: El Reata Juan (Julyan x Mist-Aana) and Fadaan (Julyan x Mist-Aana). Of this remaining population, long-time breeders Cheryl and Pat O'Donnell of  Hidden River Arabians in Indiana, currently own three of these horses, all mature stallions, foaled before the new millenium: HR Serrdaan (HR Ibn Fadaan x Bint Serasabba), HR Basiir Shariif (ASF Wadi x Jusera) and HR Roujuan.

HR Roujuan, foaled in 1997, is sired by ASF Wadi, an El Reata Juan son, out the Fabo daughter Masada Mishannah. 

SIRE LINE: 

HR Roujuan->ASF Wadi->El Reata Juan->Julyan->Julep->Gulastra->*Astraled->Mesaoud

Bred and owned by Cheryl O'Donnell, Roujuan's dam is the straight Babson Egyptian mare, Fa Mah Roufa, a Mahrouf daughter out of Fa Bah Roufa, a full sister to the great show mare, Roufah (Ibn Fa-Serr x Bah Roufa), as well as the beloved stallion, Fadl Starr, who remains the only Babson-bred  stallion who was ever leased back by the Babson Farm for breeding. The majority of HR Roujuan's pedigree (87.5%) is populated by horses bred by the Babson Farm.

As impressive as his genetic exclusivity is; he is equally impressive, physically. While not extreme of face, per today's show ring standards, he is a strong-bodied horse, with a broad chest, laid-back shoulder and a deep heart girth. His well-muscled, generous hind end balances the power of his front end. 

For a 25-year old stallion, I think you will agree that his youthful appearance is amazing! His top line is unbelievably smooth and strong. His skin quality is excellent, not only because of the darker pigment but also, the fine quality of the skin, which dramatically accentuates the prominence of bone and vein, especially in his face. The width of his facial crest bone is amazing! His body radiates health, his coat hair is luminous, with a sheen that tells a most wonderful story of the excellent care he receives from his loving owner. 

A proven breeding stallion, he has sired 2 sons (HR Ahmar Shaitaan & Van Alma Shalom) and a daughter (Van Alma Sophia), which, given the critical status of the sire line, is somewhat hopeful. His son, HR Ahmar Shaitaan, prior to being gelded, sired a son, HR Fabah Zahaa, a 2003 stallion out of the Fadaan-sired daughter, HR Tariifah, doubling the Mesaoud sire line in one individual, as well as doubling the Babson lines of Fa Mah Roufa. Unfortunately, HR Fabah Zahaa, like his sire, was also gelded. With the resources available to me, I am not sure if HR Fabah Zahaa sired any get, prior to being gelded.

It is my hope that this blog will inspire a breeder to react quickly with the remaining horse(s), insuring the survival of the sire line within the small family of horses established by HR Roujuan. 

***with many thanks to Cheryl O'Donnell for her friendship, for the many questions she patiently answered, and of course, for all the horses she has bred and continues to lovingly care for, as well as her kindness and generosity for sharing the photos of HR Roujuan***