Pashas, Princes & Kings: Thoughts on NK Qaswarah

NK Qaswarah (NK Hafid Jamil x NK Nariman) as photographed by Alaa Youssef Jr.   

It hurts like hell to read that NK Qaswarah has died. He was only 15 years old too!

Ezzain, 12 years ago this past January and 45 or so horses, maybe a little more, approximately half of those horses were sired by NK Qaswarah and of the half that were not sired by Qaswarah, 12 of those horses were sired by a Qaswarah son like Aneesilnefous (x NK Momtaza) and Yaasoob (x NK Nada). If I had not fully understood the critical role of NK Qaswarah at Ezzain, in hindsight, the facts overwhelm me today regarding his importance,  which continues to the present day. 

In Dr. Nagel's most recent book, The Arabian Horse: Nature's Creation and The Art of Breeding, he wrote about NK Qaswarah, 

"NK Qaswarah is producing a very distinctive type with stunning expression and is among those stallions which are strong in producing excellent males and females."

I was recently re-reading a Tutto Arabi article written by Monika Savier at the time of NK Hafid Jamil's death and how his influence will continue, particularly through his get. She mentions NK Qaswarah too,

"This NK Hafid Jamil son was an eye catcher from birth on and left as a young colt for Ezzain Stud in Kuwait. All his life he was surrounded mostly by NK daughters who were, however, of different mare lines‐a unique situation. NK Qaswarah created his own kingdom; nowhere can you see finer Arabians and prettier heads than in this stud."

I cherish many memories from my visit to Ezzain but the most precious were the quiet early morning hours spent alone with the horses, like NK Qaswarah.  With gratitude to Mr. Usamah Alkazemi's generosity; I went to Kuwait having seen many photos of Qaswarah that he shared with me, but it is really different to see the horse, in real life, standing before you. Such was the experience I had with Qaswarah. I was overwhelmed by him despite being familiar with the horse and understanding the significance of all that had been written about him by people I admire, including his breeder.  He was stronger-bodied and more robust than he appeared in photos. In his presence, you felt the strength of his character and, immediately, felt compelled to honor him with respect. He enjoyed to be scratched on his back, especially by the wither and I appreciated the opportunity to engage with him, to touch the living, real horse, the "smilemaker," as Usamah referred to him. I remember that his back was significantly wider and stronger than many horses I had met; I could feel the immense power emanating from every muscle in his body. And yes, he was harmonious, as if every part of his body was made, especially for him. 

As perfect a specimen of the breed as he was, NK Qaswarah was also a consistent sire, equally siring unforgettable stallions and mares possessing his quality, for example, the full sisters: Badrilbdoor and Shamsilshmous (both out of Azhaar), Dorrah and her full brother Aneesilnefous (both out of NK Momtaza), Ekramilbari (out of NK Yasmin), Alttafilbari (out of Ajmal Ibtihaj) and Thettwa (out of Albaheiah). These were my personal favorites. NK Qaswarah defined the Ezzain breeding program with a very unique look that can not be found anywhere else in the world. At the time, I felt that my Arabian horse world had been turned upside down and inside out, never to be the same again but today, I understand all that I saw and  experienced in Kuwait with a new perspective, the spirit of which was also captured with words far greater than my own.

"NK Qaswarah created his own kingdom; nowhere can you see finer Arabians and prettier heads than in this stud."

NK Qaswarah, over his lifetime, has proven to be the type of horse that at one time, inspired Pashas, Princes and Kings. I am none of these men but still, equally inspired by all that you were. I am glad to have known you Qaswarah, in my lifetime.