Amoun Arya

 

A few weeks ago, at the 2023 Kuwait International Egyptian Event, held in mid-February, Amoun Arya competed in class 7a, mares 4 - 6 years old. She is an Ezz Aldanat daughter, out of Amoun Halima (Frasera Ramses Shah x Taysouna). As I scanned the thumbnails on YouTube, this particular mare caught my attention and after watching the video, I wanted to learn a little more about her.  Her dam is double Maysoun (Ansata Halim Shah x Maysouna) and in matriline, traces to *Bint Nefisaa, the Nazeer daughter imported by Gleannloch Farms:

Amoun Halima->Taysouna->Talia Halima->Charm of Halima->Nama->*Bint Nefisaa

In addition to producing Nama, her *Morafic daughter (maternal great-great-great granddam of Amoun Arya), *Bint Nefisaa also produced the full siblings:  El Hilal, Negmaa, Nourah (all 3 sired by *Ansata Ibn Halima) and the full siblings sired by Mohssen (*Ansata Ibn Halima x *Bint Mona): Nefisaan and Moynese. In addition, Charm of Halima, when bred to Ruminaja Ali, also produced Aliah Halima, a spectacular broodmare for Rock Creek Arabians and Arabians LTD. In studying her matriline, I came to realize how time has proven the genetic strength and endurance of the *Bint Nefisaa matriline, regardless of the branch you choose to follow.

Amoun Arya placed second in her class, advancing her to the senior mare championships, competing against her paternal sister, Mona Aldanat, who was named champion. It raised my awareness for the sire of both mares, Ezz Aldanat (Shamekh Aldanat x Shalwa), who primarily reflects the breeding program of Ansata Arabian Stud (75%) plus the programs of the late Dani el Barbary and Russ & Mildred Jameson of Ranch Ruminaja. 

The number of mares shown within the 4 - 6 year old mare class was so large, the class was split in 3 sections: A, B and C. There were 3 other Ezz Aldanat daughters participating, in addition to Arya and Mona: Ajeeba (x Badrah Aldanat), Saba (x Danah Aldanat) and Nadrah (x Latifa Aldanat). That's a total of 5 Ezz Aldanat daughters, representing him, in the 4 - 6 year old mare class and eventually, the senior mare championships. I think that is very impressive, as it points to a level of consistency for a breeding stallion that if I were breeding horses, I would want to add to my program.

It's tough to choose one mare over another, however, Amoun Arya, for me, is my choice. I think Mona and she, are more similar than they are different. However, Amoun Arya, genetically speaking, comes from a strong mare family, who over time has not only remained relevant but also, has driven influence from the mare side of the pedigree. Her sire is consistent, across a variety of bloodlines and phenotypically, she is taller, harmonious, generously muscled, broad in the chest, wide from the back, with a little more freedom in her shoulders. Also, her skin is dark, her eyes are black, all of which adds to the allure of a desert-bred horse. She was my favorite horse of the show, as she physically celebrates the legacy bestowed upon her by her sire and dam. Congratulations and best wishes to Al Danat Stud.

***Many thanks to Arabian Essence TV for the coverage of the 2023 Kuwait International Egyptian Event, held at Bait Al Arab and for making the videos available on your YouTube channel.***