Volume 45, No. 2 $7.50
Photo by Hannah Applequist Twichell
2 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Versace x DA Love, by Padrons Psyche
2014 Canadian national Stallion Halter witH andrew Sellman Standing at Argent Farms River Falls, WI www.ArgentFarms.com info@ArgentFarms.com Andy Sellman cell: 715.760.2466
Proudly bred & owned by Dolorosa Arabians www.Dolorosa.com Multi-Program Nominated SCID ~ CA ~ LFS Clear
Volume 45, No. 2 | 3
Contents Issue 7 • Volume 45, No. 2 17 32
Cover Story: Fazenda Floresta The Canadian Nationals—All Things Considered
40
My Poland Diary: The Arabian Insights Tour
by Anne Stratton by Lara Ames
6 Gold Star 2014 Iowa Gold Star Futurity Preview—Under The Big Top by Kara Larson
40
70
Leaders Of The Times: TA Mozart
76
The Southeast—How It All Began
96
The 2014 Buckeye Show
by Kara Larson by Anne Stratton by Anne Stratton
12 Region 10 The 2014 Region 10 Championship Show—Summertime In Minnesota by Kara Larson 156 2 ARBC
156 Volume 45, No. 2
Volume 45, No. 2 $7.50
The Working Western Division In Six Easy Questions by Anne Stratton
The Arabian Reining Breeders Classic Makes Its Debut by Christy Egan
196
Championship Evening At The 2014 Egyptian Event
200
A Memorable Chilean Nationals
204
Tabitha’s Story—Love, Stress And Setbacks
208
24-Hour Ride-A-Thon: A Lengthy Ride For A Beautiful Cause
by Jeff Wallace by Rogerio Santos by Kara Larson by Kara Larson
2014, Issue 7
On The Cover:
AAS-Elishahh (Eden C x Sempre), owned by Luciana Fasano of Fazenda Floresta.
4 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I M
6
Comments From The Publisher
193
25 Things You Don’t Know About Me
194
Guest Editorial: Isn’t It Time To Face Reality? by Bob Battaglia
212
Calendar Of Events
220
Looking Ahead
223
Index Of Advertisers
Photography by: Michelle Kelly Design by: mickĂŠandoliver
Don’t forget to bid and miss your chance to be part of The Santa Ynez Gelding Futurity. Selling on Tuesday 29th July at in the Addis Online Auctions. by Monther Al Nasser ex Toscana PGA by Khadraj NA contact: mdeannkelly@gmail.com | www. syvaha.com | www. addisliveonlineauctions.com Volume 45, No. 2 | 5
Comments From The Publisher Publisher Lara Ames Operations Manager/Editor Barbara Lee Writers Mary Kirkman Kara Larson Advertising Account Executive Tony Bergren Walter Mishek Production Manager Jody Thompson Senior Designer Marketing Director Wayne Anderson Print & Web Design Tony Ferguson Leah Matzke Melissa Pasicznyk Editorial Coordinator Proofreader Charlene Deyle Sales/Editorial Assistant Accounts Receivable Karen Fell Administrative/Sales Assistant Sharon Brunette © Copyright AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Articles or opinions published by the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times are not necessarily the expressed views of the AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times. AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times is not responsible for the accuracy of advertising content or manipulation of images that are provided by the advertiser. ARABIAN HORSE TIMES (ISSN 0279-8125) Volume 45, No. 2, July 2014, is published monthly by AHT, Inc. dba Arabian Horse Times, 20276 Delaware Avenue, Jordan, Minnesota 55352. Periodical postage paid at Jordan, Minnesota 55352 and at additional entry offices. Single copies in U.S. and Canada $7.50. Subscription in U.S. $40 per year, $65 two years, $90 three years. Canada $65 one year, $125 two years, $170 three years, U.S. funds. Foreign Subscriptions: $95 one year, $185 two years, $280 three years, payable in advance, U.S. funds. Sorry, no refunds on subscription orders. For subscription and change of address, please send old address as printed on last label. Please allow four to six weeks for your first subscription to be shipped. Occasionally ARABIAN HORSE TIMES makes its mailing list available to other organizations. If you prefer not to receive these mailings, please write to ARABIAN HORSE TIMES, Editorial Offices, P.O. Box 69, Jordan, MN 55352. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographic materials. Printed in U.S.A. • P OSTMASTER: Please send returns to Arabian Horse Times, P.O. Box 69, Jordan, MN 55352; and address changes to Arabian Horse Times, P.O. Box 15816, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5816. For subscription information, call 1-855-240-4637 (in the U.S.A.) or 952-492-3213 (for outside of the U.S.A.) Arabian Horse Times • P .O. Box 15816, North Hollywood, CA 91615-5816 • Tel: 952-492-3213 • F ax: 952-492-3228 1-800-AHTIMES • www.ahtimes.com
This time of year, it’s natural we’re all thinking about the first national show on the calendar, Youth Nationals. We’re conscious of how much fun it is for our young riders, how valuable learning to compete (to do your best and win and lose gracefully) is for them. We make sure that they have other activities too, so that no matter who they are and how well they do, they have the opportunity to make friends and go home with good memories that will last the rest of their lives. And of course, we applaud their horsemanship. And beyond the competition, it is important that we all stop and recognize— celebrate, really—how very life-changing our kids’ relationships with their horses is and the special bond that most of these young people have with their Arabian horses. I remember when I was a child. One of my most enduring memories has nothing to do with the show ring. It is of a foal that died very young. I was just a kid, but I loved that baby so much; whenever I could be with him, I was there, by his side. He was my pal. Horses sense our emotions. If they haven’t been treated in such a way that they are wary of humans, most of them sense who kids are, and they want to take care of them. Over and above the show ring, our Arabian horses teach their young people about life. They offer valuable lessons that forever enrich each child’s world. Not every horse and junior exhibitor will receive a ribbon in Albuquerque this year, but every horse deserves our gratitude.
Lara Ames Lara Ames Publisher
6 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Th1e face of a h1istory1 maker ... We have an exciting group of young halter and performance prospects sired by DA Valentino. Your inquiries are invited.
6 - T I M E N AT I O N A L C H A M P I O N A L E A D I N G S I R E O F N AT I O N A L H A LT E R W I N N E R S . . .
STONE RIDGE ARABIANS • Dan and Maureen Grossman 2552 South Smith Road - Bloomington, Indiana 47401 FOR SALES VIDEO, CONTACT: mogrossma@aol.com
www.MidwestArabian.com Volume 45, No. 2 | 7
WORLD CUP WORLD RENOWN WORLD CHAMPION
WiezaMocy
*
QR Marc x Wieza Marzen, out of Wiazma
w w w. M i d w e s t A r a b i a n . c o m 8 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
P OLISH N ATIONAL C HAMPION F ILLY E UROPEAN N ATIONAL C HAMPION F ILLY W ORLD C HAMPION F ILLY A RABIAN B REEDERS W ORLD C UP G OLD S UPREME C HAMPION M ARE R EGION 7 U NANIMOUS C HAMPION M ARE
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MARE HALTER PRESENTED BY DAVID BOGGS Expecting 2015 foals by National Champions Vitorio To and Pogrom Bred and owned by MICHALOW STATE STUD POLAND
On lease to OAK RIDGE ARABIANS FREEPORT, ILLINOIS WWW .O AK R IDGE A RABIANS . COM
Volume 45, No. 2 | 9
10 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Volume 45, No. 2 | 11
12 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Volume 45, No. 2 | 13
I T ' S T I M E F O R T H E R E N A I S SA N C E
"The Renaissance has impressed us in the show ring and is now impressing us with his offspring. He is producing quality and talent in his foals." —Jason Krohn
Dansing Serenade SMP (The Renaissance x CP Dansing Ghazi) 2014 Arabian Filly
Renaissance Time SMP (The Renaissance x On Tulsa Time) 2014 Half-Arabian Filly
"I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with The Renaissance and two of his babies. He passed on to them some of his best attributes—they are very soft-necked, athletic and trainable." —Shawn Rooker
14 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
The Renaissance is a great English pleasure horse with lots of quality and presence, and the foals that I’ve seen have the same characteristics. I am excited about seeing his foals in the show ring in the near future! —Jim Stachowski
ML Afire Dream x Fire Essense, by Pro-Fire
Breeders Sweepstakes Nominated • Region 12 Spotlight Stallion Scottsdale Signature Stallion • WCAHA All Star Futurity • AEPA Enrolled Sire
U.S. National Champion Arabian English Pleasure Futurity Arabian Celebration Champion English Pleasure Scottsdale Champion English Pleasure
Rod & Jacqueline Thompson
Lenoir City, TN
865.816.0070 • 865.816.2406
www.SmokyMountainParkArabians.com
Volume 45, No. 2 | 15
Event Third Annual
ARABIAN HORSE CELEBRATION It's a family
to enjoy!
SEPTEMBER 17-20, 2014
Kentucky Exposition Center • Louisville, Kentucky ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Exciting Horse Show Competition Stallion Row • Shopping Expo Sale Horse Presentations Education: Seminars, Workshops & Clinics Youth Activities for All Ages FROM THE EXPLORIUM ... SADDLES UP! The Versatile Arabian Horse Children's Exhibit
Select Private Treaty
SALE HORSE CENTER
• • • •
Available to Exhibitors at the Celebration Presentation Area for Private Showings Sale Horse Promotion Presentation in Freedom Hall Immediately Following Thursday Afternoon and Saturday Morning Classes CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION: 480-585-0739 or 480-748-1609
Premium books available on-line W W W. A R A B I A N C E L E B R A T I O N . C O M Entries Close August 8, 2014 • AHA and USEF Approved Sponsored by the Bluegrass Arabian Horse Association 16 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Fazenda Floresta Introduces ...
FAZENDA FLOR ESTA | 17
Fazenda Floresta presents its Stallions and new Generation of Foals
Luciana Fasano, of Fazenda Floresta, near São Paulo, Brazil, has never been afraid to be innovative, and her Arabian operation is a standout example of how a fresh viewpoint can be valuable in the Arabian community. Although she understands the contributions of broodmares, Luciana’s consuming interest and special talent has been in selecting stallions, and her contribution to the breed is the “stallion station” she has founded. It is a collection of exceptional individuals on offer to discerning breeders, and in its few years of existence, it has taken off at electrifying speed. “The first thing I did was buy stallions that were proven in the show ring and had great pedigrees,” Luciana explains. Her sires earned their championships, supreme championships and reserve championships in North America, Europe and Brazil at such leading venues as the U.S. and Canadian Nationals, Scottsdale, the AHBA World Cup and The Egyptian Event. Her second step was to establish alliances with top breeders to ensure that the stallions had access to many of Brazil’s finest broodmares. From the foals these breedings produced, she was able evaluate her stallions’ potential. She made it a point to include a wide array of bloodlines on her roster, and she wanted to be sure that they all had the ability to pass on their own attributes. The goal has been not to design her own breeding program so much as to be an integral resource for the top establishments of the world. The result of her effort over the past three-and-a-half years has been the enthusiastic support of some of the country’s most significant breeders. “For example, AAS-Elishahh has sold 185 breedings in the last month and a half, and LLC Fasario just about 60 breedings over a period of 30 days,” Luciana reports. “And Al Hadiyah AA has sold about 40 in 30 to 40 days. For OFW Wan And Only, we have sold about 30 breedings to a new breeder who happened to see his picture on the internet.” While Eccentric Valentino has bred fewer mares, she strongly believes in his potential, especially with straight Egyptian mares. Already, the stallion has sired two of her best foals, one of whom, LF Eccentrica, is from the straight Egyptian mare, Sherazade JP. The 4-year-old stallion LLC Fasario, meanwhile, will be representing the farm in the show ring as well as standing at stud. “Fasario passes on an extreme attitude that probably comes from his Marwan Al Shaqab blood,” says Luciana, “as well as extreme advantages from his dam, RD Fabreanna. I believe a lot in him. He will be going to the U.S. Nationals this year.” And Vortex has not been widely available because he was being used especially by Dr. Nelson Moreira, whose mares in foal from Haras Céu Estrelado include Dulcinea BHF, Catherine UB, Celine K, RD Fabreanna, Lá Vida and Sovereign Almond JP. “Vortex is to me a stallion who is not just a good horse, but a great son of FA El Shawan,” says Luciana, “and that is very important to all of us in terms of the future. We will start seeing his foals in September 2014.” For a deeper appreciation of her program, she offers the words of two of Brazil’s most prominent breeders, Adriana and Alessandra Moura of Haras das Cascatas. Haras das Cascatas, home of the well-known Honey's Delight RB and Esperanca, has always been looking for different alternatives in the worldwide Arabian horse industry. “After extensive analysis, we found at Fazenda Floresta a group of stallions with a lot of quality and an unbeatable diversity of pedigrees,” they say. AAS-Elisahhh: “We found a very current stallion for new standards, with exceptional titles, and with great qualities such as a very delicate head, a very correct body, a lot of attitude and a great pedigree.” Al Hadiyah AA: “We look for what every breeder is looking for—an impeccable head, beautiful big eyes, and a feeling of ‘a horse from the desert.’ We chose him for two of our best mares.” Eccentric Valentino: “We believe Eccentric can become one of the most important successors of DA Valentino. He has a very important show record and an unimpeachable neck.” LLC Fasario: “Fasario has a very special and current pedigree, lots of attitude and a very special neck. He is the type of horse we admire and always look for to complement our breeding program.” Luciana, while recognizing the excellence of what her stallions have to offer, is grateful for her clients' faith at this early stage of her plan. “Those are people who really used my stallions without knowing what is coming, because my horses were new blood in Brazil.” Not only are well-known breeders a part of the Fazenda Floresta program, but new owners are signing on as well, attracted by Luciana’s stallions and her success. With those promising endorsements, Fazenda Floresta is moving on into the future. An embryo transfer service is being organized, pastures are being prepared to host client mares, and an inseminating facility for import and export is being established. As always, friends and clients are attracted to Luciana’s near-legendary hospitality. An invitation to the farm is a guaranteed festive evening of indulgent food and camaraderie. But when it comes to Arabian horses, she emphasizes, Fazenda Floresta is all about high standards. “Our focus is on quality, not quantity.” We invite every American attending the Brazilian Nationals to come and visit Fazenda Floresta for our special party and open house on November 23, 2014, at 3p.m., right after the Brazilian Nationals. Please RSVP to Arabian Horse Times.
Fazenda Floresta • L uciana Fasano lufasano@gmail.com • ( 11) 4013-6111 • c ell: 5511 9987-72352 • www .fazendaflorestaarabians.com 18 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
AAS
Elishahh
FAZENDA FLOR ESTA | 19
AAS
Elishahh
2 0 1 0 Amer ican Ch amp ion 2 0 1 0 A m e r ican Su p r eme Ch amp ion Year lin g 2 0 1 1 Wo r ld Cu p Ch amp ion 2 -Year - O ld Colt 2 0 1 1 Wor ld Cu p Su p r eme Ch amp ion 2 0 1 1 A m e r i c a n N at ion al Ch amp ion 3 -Year - O ld Colt Eden C x Sempre, by Versace
20 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Pakho Serondella
SOME OF ELISHAHH'S BEAUTIFUL BABIES BORN IN BRAZIL.
AAS-Elishahh x Lilyan El Jary, by Jary El Jamaal
We thank all the breeders who chose our Elishahh, including: Fábio Amorosino, Haras Serondella (50 mares); Adriana e Alessandra Moura, Haras das Cascatas, breeder of U.S. National Champion Honey's Delight RB); Haras Céu Estrelado, home of such important mares as Dulcinea BHF and RD Fabreanna; Flávia Torres, breeder of FT Shaella; Dr. Aluizio Faria, founder of Associação Brasileira dos Criadores do Cavalo Árabe; Claudia and José Orlando; Marcos Tinoco; Lucas Mello; Enrico Carlone; Haras Sete Flechas; Haras Vila dos Pinheiros; and many others.
PettlaSerondella
AAS-Elishahh x EHVA Serondella, by El Nabila B Owned by Haras Serondella
Only Serondella
AAS-Elishahh x Jelabie Serondella, by Vektor El Ludjin Owned by Haras Serondella
Competing at the Brazilian Nationals with Rinaldo Longuini Volume 45, No. 2 | 21
Hadiyah
AL
Laheeb x The Vision HG, by Thee Desperado 2012 Bronze Champion Stallion at The Egyptian Event, USA 2012 World Cup Reserve Champion Stallion Six to Eight Years Old 2011 European Egyptian Event 2nd Place 2008 Austrian National Junior Champion Colt 2008 European Egyptian Event 2nd Place 2008 Asil Cup International Junior Champion, Germany 2006 Israeli Egyptian Event Junior Champion Colt 2006 Israeli National Champion Colt
22 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
AA
We’d like to thank all the breeders who have supported Al Hadiyah AA, among whom are: Maria Helena Perroy; Fábio Amorosino; Murilo Kammer; Fazenda Fortaleza; Flávia Torres; Rodrigo Lorenzi; and Haras das Cascatas. We have more than 30 mares in foal!
Pyrlo Serondella Al Hadiyah AA x Malena Van Ryad,
by Ryad El Jamaal
Volume 45, No. 2 | 23
LLC
Fasario Aria Impresario x RD Fabreanna, by Falcon BHF
2012 Brazilian National Champion Colt 2014 Unanimous Scottsdale Reserve Champion 2014 Region 3 Champion Stallioin Standing at: GUZZO WORLDWIDE LLC • Phone: +1 (480) 361- 6926 • Fax: +1 (480) 361-6928 • guzzoworldwidellc@gmail.com w w w. g u z z o a t . c o m 24 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
We thank all the breeders that supported Fasario: Marco Túlio Dias Lopes Filho Luiz Antônio Moreira de Souza Raquel Braga Robaldo Jairo Queiroz Jorge Rodrigo Faias Sylvio Barbosa Neto Cesar Ruman Maurício Fonseca Sad
Alexandra
LF
LLC Fasario x Pandora AMW, by Hylan
Owned by Fazenda Floresta
Amelia
LF
LLC Fasario x Phenycia AMW,
by Shafir El Johann
Owned by Fazenda Floresta
Volume 45, No. 2 | 25
Eccentric Valentino
(DA Valentino x Amelia B, by Magnum Psyche)
2012 & 2013 Brazilian National Reserve Champion 2011 U.S. National Champion 2010 Canadian National Champion 2009 Canadian National Reserve Champion
SOME OF
EccentricValentino's
BEAUTIFUL BABIES BORN IN
BRAZIL.
Potenza HDF
Eccentric Valentino x
Mag Shall Londrina,
by Magnum Chall HVP
Owned by Haras Das Faias
Eccentrica
LF
Eccentric Valentino x Sherazade JP, by Naadir Owned by Fazenda Floresta
Volume 45, No. 2 | 27
Wan And Only
OFW
OFW Magic Wan x OFW Jewelee, by Padrons Psyche
2012 Canadian National Reserve Champion Yearling Colt 2012 U.S. National Top Ten Yearling Colt 2011 Region 11 Champion Yearling Colt
28 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
We always welcome our guests to try our handmade chocolates. Many flavors, many surprises and soon, a new store! Thanks to Chef Marcelo who makes each one of them very special!
Volume 45, No. 2 | 29
Beloved one nA
with John RAnnenBeRg
w w w
30 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
. B
e l o v e d s
F
a r m
.
c o m
(Pictured at 6 weeks)
(Pictured at 6 weeks)
PRoudly owned By PAtRiciA demPsey lakes & live oaks, 12961 ne 72nd Boulevard, Lady Lake, FL 32162 • (P) 352.430.3456
Volume 45, No. 2 | 31
The Canadian Nationals All Things Considered by ANNE STRATTON
Every horse show has its own personality, and over the years since its inception in 1959, the Canadian Nationals has had many. When it was in Calgary, where it began, there was the heady intoxication of the Rocky Mountains and the city’s diverse equine ambience. In Toronto, the Nationals was a bit dressy and grand, as befitted a show in the historic Exhibition Place, next to the shore of Lake Ontario. Vancouver, too, had its attractions; its laid-back, west coast vibe belied the excellence of its competition. But those were in the days when more owners watched trainers ride their horses than is true today; the proximity to great shopping and top-class restaurants—activities that filled the time
32 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
when the horses weren’t in the ring—was more important. Then came the days when the event didn’t rotate between east and west, when it was held in the quintessentially midCanada cities of Edmonton and Regina. For the past three years, and now scheduled for the next three as well, the Canadian Nationals’ home has been the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, three hours west of Winnipeg. This year it will take place August 11-16, and more than ever, its persona is that of a horseman’s horse show. The competition remains stiff; a Canadian National title is a valuable addition to any horse’s resume,
so trailers and big rigs roll in from as far away as Florida and California. But the focus now is not the destination. It is solely on the horse show, the classes in the ring, the 750 to 800 horses vying for ribbons and trophies in 187 classes. “Our numbers have increased every year in terms of horse participation,” says Allan Ehrlick, Vice Chairman of the Canadian National Show Commission. “People are comfortable there. Brandon has about 45,000 people and it has a tremendous amount of amenities for a small town—a ton of restaurants, lumber outlets that farms need for their stall decorations, a lot of fast food, plenty of hotel space, everything needed for a show. There’s no acclimatization (we’re not in the mountains), you can drink the water and breathe the air. You can go to dinner anywhere and walk up and down the streets without being scared, which is important. It’s an exceptional comfort zone. And nowhere in Brandon is more than 10 minutes from everywhere else. It’s very accessible. It has the amenities to allow you to show your horse as well as possible.” Keystone Centre’s attitude also is refreshing. “There is a sign in every building that says ‘Agriculture First,’” Ehrlick notes. “Right off the bat, you know that they’re happy to deal with your product because that’s what they’re designed for. And the staff that they have there is absolutely fabulous. They’re very accommodating, very talented. When you need something done in a hurry, they do it and their attitude is very, very positive.” It doesn’t hurt that Ring 2 is a dedicated horse arena, designed and maintained for horse performances all year, not constantly changed to accommodate everything from rock bands to motocross. Although every show evolves, the Canadian Nationals has been so well organized that this year the “major” changes relate only to refining the competition for two of the show’s divisions. The Sport Horse In-Hand classes have been divided into dressage type and hunter type, reflecting the growing development of that segment of the breed, and the working western classes will all take place during the opening three days of the show, saving that contingent the expense of remaining throughout the week.
Volume 45, No. 2 | 33
34 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Beyond taking care of their constituents, show management concentrates on the mission it has pursued for 55 years. “Our focus is just generally to maintain the high standards we’re known for,” Ehrlick says. One of the reasons they do so well at it, those who have been coming for years point out, is that the Commission itself has been together for 20 years. They know the history, the challenges, the changes, and as importantly, each other. “We’ve probably been to 50 national shows at least,” Ehrlick says. “Gerald [McDonald, Chairman] has been here for 19 years, I’ve been here for 20, and Tony [Caughell] 18. We’re a pretty close-knit group. We’re totally hands-on; we get down and dirty every day. I think that’s one of the things that’s made us so successful. Exhibitors see how hard we work, and it’s a pretty happy group.” It is, he says, in support of another happy group: families. “We’re a family show, the only national show where all the classes are featured—youth, amateur, professional, main ring, sport horses. The whole family can show.” n
Volume 45, No. 2 | 35
Fancy Rain Dancer (SUNDANCE KID V X RDA PFANCY (BASK))
Canadian Nationals Arabian Western Pleasure Select AATR Contender with Angela Padgham
Canadian Nationals Arabian Western Pleasure Open Contender with Michelle Hansen
36 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Valora
CBA
(DA VALENTINO X ASHTON BEY, BY BEY ARROGANCE)
Canadian Nationals Arabian Western Pleasure Select AATR Contender with Kathy Padgham
Owned by: Kathy Padgham
Avonroy ArAbiAns
780-975-3049 www.avonroyarabians.com
Trainer:
Spiritwood Farms Sherwood Park, AB 780-915-7812
WHERE PEDIGREES MATTER! The Prestige Farms’ breeding program is well known for producing some of the finest performance horses in the country. From experience, we have learned which great bloodlines cross with our mares. We are proud to offer talented Arabians and Half-Arabians with proven performance pedigrees full of the who’s who in the industry. Mare
Color
Breed
DOB
Sire x Dam
In Foal to
MADE YOU LOOK
Bay
Arabian
03/13/01
Afire Bey V x Bold Love
Undulata’s Nutcracker
HF LUCK BEA LADY
Bay
Arabian
07/11/04
Baske Afire x Play Annies Song
Nutcrackers Nirvana
NEVEAH W
Grey
Arabian
03/20/06
Matoi x Justice N Liberty
MHR Nobility
RED HOT MAMA
Chestnut
Mamage x Ames déjà vu
Undulata’s Nutcracker
B WITCHED
MIZ SHOW BIZ JB OLIVIA
MD BELLAMESA
Grey
Arabian
Chestnut Chestnut Chestnut
Arabian
Arabian Arabian Arabian
04/02/04
03/12/06
Baske Afire x Coladina
04/08/07
MHR Nobility x MC Bellasera
04/13/08
Afire Bey V x Mac Baske
03/03/07
Bay
Arabian
08/13/07
POLKA DOT
Bay
Hackney
04/01/94
Bay
Arabian
MHR Nobility
Afire Bey V
38 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
Mamage
Baske Afire x MZ Kitty
04/28/06
SF CARA MIA
AFIRES FORCE MA
Baske Afire x Gala De Cognac
Afire Bey V x Spectra PR
Sirius Impression x Lady Julie
Nutcrackers Nirvana
Baske Afire
Left Open
Nutcrackers Nirvana Left Open
Afires Heir
Afires Heir
Afires Heir
Afires Heir
Afires Heir
Undulata’s Nutcracker
Matoi
EXCITING 2014 FOALS OFFERED FOR SALE ...
Nirvs Of Steel PF
Radio Active PF
Get Crackin PF
Radio Active PF
Foal
Color
Breed
Sex
DOB
Sire x Dam
NIRVS OF STEEL PF
Bay
H/A
C
02/12/14
Nutcrackers Nirvana x Miz Show Biz
RADIO ACTIVE PF
Bay
Arabian
C
03/11/14
Baske Afire x MD Bellamesa
Bay
H/A
C
03/20/14
POETRY N MOTION PF COHIBA ROBUSTO PF NUTTIN BUT LUCK PF GET CRACKIN PF
Chestnut
Grey Chestnut
Arabian H/A
H/A
F
C
C
03/09/14 03/13/14
03/22/14
Mamage x B Witched
Undulata’s Nutcracker x Cohiba Baby
Undulata’s Nutcracker x HF Luck Bea Lady
Undulata’s Nutcracker x Red Hott Mama
Call for sales list ... better yet, come see them in person!
Irwin Schimmel • 360-256-9432 • Cell: 503-367-4997 • P.O. Box 814, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123
Visit us on Facebook. Check out the new videos of our sale horses.
Volume 45, No. 2 | 39
My Poland Diary: The Arabian Insights Tour by LARA AMES
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If you are in the Arabian horse community for very long, the chances are you will hear people talk about how much they enjoy meeting and making friends with other Arabian owners and breeders. I have been out of the country in the past to see horses (the Brazilian Nationals and the Salon du Cheval come to mind) and can testify to the special bond of Arabian horse people not just here, but worldwide. And as many of us have, I’d heard the stories of Poland—of the magic of its horses and its people, and how as engaging as the Poles are when they travel here, they are even more amazing in their own country. So, in June, when my parents and I had the opportunity to travel to Poland for the first time, we signed on with enthusiasm. We weren’t sure what the trip would be like. We have appreciated Polish horses for years, but we haven’t been “pure Polish” breeders. We were prepared to be impressed, but we weren’t born yesterday; it would have to be pretty special to rock our world. I don’t know how else to say this: it rocked our world. Here is my diary of my first experience in Poland. I hope that every Arabian breeder, regardless of the bloodlines in their program, is able to visit the stud farms of Poland and, as my mom and dad and I did, create their own wonderful memories.
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The idea of going to Poland began for us last spring, when Gene LaCroix was visiting at Cedar Ridge. What a golden opportunity it was to do it with Gene! After all, he had been with his father back in 1962 when they selected *Bask—who could ask for more history? It got even better when Scott Benjamin (who knows more about Polish horses and their pedigrees than just about anyone except the stud directors and breeding managers) and Anette Mattsson, also extremely knowledgeable about Poland and its breeding program, got involved. So, on Sunday, June 22, around 2:30 in the afternoon, we boarded a plane in Minneapolis. By the time we arrived in Amsterdam eight hours later (about 6 on Monday morning, with the time change), we were talking nonstop, remembering all the great times we’d had together. It was perfect preparation. We didn’t know it then, but we had embarked on what would be a very special chapter in the Ames family record books.
Monday, June 23rd
Our connecting flight into Warsaw landed at about 10:30 a.m., and we met the group we would be traveling with at the airport. In addition to Gene and Anette (Scott arrived the next day), we were joined by Sophie Dia Pegrum and Jen Miller of Horsefly Films, who would photograph and take video of the trip, and several others. Most were from the U.S., but we also had a representative of France and two from Namibia. It was a great group, and one we would appreciate more and more as our journey unfolded. Some of us had been in the Arabian breed forever; some were new. Some competed in the show ring, while some had other interests (our new friends from Namibia, Henning and Barbara de Toit, are endurance riders). Some bred horses, and others were considering starting their own programs. We had every viewpoint and background you can imagine. Our mind on our business, we skipped freshening up and boarded a large, comfortable bus for the two-hour trip to the Russian border, where the oldest of the Polish stud farms, Janów Podlaski, is located. Our destination, though, was our hotel, the Pensjonat Zaborek, about 30 minutes’ drive from the stud farm. This is an outstanding “bed and breakfast” that I would recommend to anyone visiting Janów. I have to admit that when our bus turned into the narrow road that leads to Zaborek, I wondered how we would ever fit through, but we did, and as we approached the main cottage, we saw a beautiful pond and gardens dotted with charming buildings. Some of them dated to the 19th century, and it was easy to 42 | A R A BI A N HOR SE T I MES
appreciate the character of the architecture and the careful, true-to-the-culture decor of the rooms.
as, well, a Percheron (his other equine love, in addition to Arabians) and a personality to match.
We were greeted on our arrival by Zaborek’s owners, Lucyna and Arek Okon, who helped us all get settled. Then we met for our first meal together, and you could just tell that it was going to be a fun group to travel with. I was pretty tired by then, having been up for more than 24 hours, so I called it an early evening, but the rest of the group toured the grounds and learned the history of the plantation.
After breakfast, we boarded the bus to Janów. I had always seen pictures of the farm and had a vision in my mind of what it would be—the historic old clock tower, the atmospheric forests, the quiet pastures. And it was exactly what I thought and more. I will never forget coming through the gates and seeing, at the end of the lane, the peaceful lawn and the old white tower.
Tuesday, June 24th
That first day, we toured the farm’s barns and viewed the horses. We even got a carriage ride to the river that was on the Russian border. The horses were incredible, no question, but what was most amazing to me was how the staff moves the horses to and from the pastures each day. All of the horses are very well disciplined and they know the routine,
I woke up to a familiar sound that I had heard as a child— my dad running up the stairs, yelling for me to wake up. What he forgot was there were 12 other people in the rooms upstairs! My dad is one-of-a-kind. He has a heart as big
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even the foals. At the command of grooms who ride bicycles, when they come out of their barns, they head as a group down the road to their pasture, through its open gate, and out into an expansive landscape of acres and acres. At the end of the day, they reverse the action—and I don’t mean they are trotting docilely. They are galloping in a large group, dust rising all around them if it’s a dry day. The mares go right to their stalls or, if they are in one of the open-room barns, to the spot on the wall where each is tethered each night. It’s very impressive, and no matter how often you see photos and videos of it, it is still amazing in real life. We saw the stallions too, more than 20 of them, the best-known being Piaff, Dostatok, Alert, Ararat, Poganin, Equifor and Pegasus. Sadly, the lovely Album (Europejczyk x Alejka, by Palas), passed away just five days after our visit. Words really can’t express the emotions I had at Janów. There was something about the farm’s atmosphere—you hear it described as “historic,” but historic in person is something else. It is almost like you can feel the generations of horses and people who have lived there, lived where the most important business—the only focus, really—is raising fine horses now and for the future. That is pretty heady stuff.
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That evening, we began a practice which added a lot to our trip. After dinner, we all gathered to discuss what we had seen that day and what it meant. That first night, Gene made a presentation on form to function as it relates to horses. I have seen him do this before, but every time I learn something new. By the time we headed for bed, I knew that we had started what was not only a very enjoyable vacation, but also a highintensity study of breeding Arabian horses.
Wednesday, June 25th
Horse racing is very important in Poland. Traditionally, it has been used to prove the horses’ soundness and athletic ability more than to demonstrate speed, but it goes without saying that every stud farm and owner likes to win races too! This morning, anyone who wanted to view race training headed to Janów at 6:00 a.m. to see the horses in training gallop on the farm’s track. We also met Janów Podlaski Director Marek Trela, who had not been there the day before. He put on a presentation at the stallion barn, and then led us through the barns with the mares and foals. Finally, we watched a presentation of the mares with their offspring by family. You could see the bloodlines’ characteristics through generations, as well as the variations which occurred when the mares were bred to different
stallions. As Janów is home to about 100 mares, you can imagine the care and thought that goes into breeding them. We then returned to Janow for our evening forum. When we arrived, we were greeted by local musicians playing Polish melodies. You can guess the emotions that elicited: we could almost feel Poland’s history and heritage in its music. Then we convened for a presentation on the history of Janów and how they go about their breeding program, which was fascinating. Scott gave us background on Janów’s famed “P” line of mares, which we would see in use also at Białka. The “P” line was founded by the mare Piewica and now is seen especially in branches through Pentoda and Pilarka. He used this discussion to make a point which I think probably resonated with all of us, and that was that in breeding, there are not “right” or “wrong” decisions. Breeding is about philosophies, ideas and methods of approach, and he illustrated the point with the mare Pipi, who produced countless international champions—only three of them by the same sire!
Thursday, June 26th
This morning, we departed for Białka Stud. As our bus pulled in, I was conscious that here was another look at history, newer than and perhaps not as intimate as at
Janów, but just as valid. You can feel the farm’s character in its beautiful barns, and although it has hosted Arabians for only about 30 of its 84 years, its traditional equine importance is very evident. We were greeted by Director Marian Pacewski and Breeding Manager Renata Kurzynska, and taken to a tented area from which we would look at horses (thank heavens, because we had a major rain storm that afternoon!). We began with a presentation of Biaka’s stallions, Pesal, HK Krystall and Amanito, and then a few of their sale horses were brought out. That is when the morning became especially memorable for the Ames family. We saw a mare that touched us as perhaps no other horse had. When the handlers brought out Perfirka, an 11-year-old grey, all three of us rose out of our seats to take a closer look. By Gazal Al Shaqab and out of the Ernal daughter Perforacja (the “P” line), she was everything we would want a broodmare to be. We later learned that she is Lot 2 in the Pride of Poland Sale in August, so I guess we didn’t exactly find a diamond in the rough! After the presentation, we enjoyed more Polish hospitality as the stud farm hosted a special barbeque for us. The weather may not have been cooperating, but the food was fantastic and they made us feel so welcome. Following lunch, we returned to our equine
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studies, as we were introduced to the Arabian horse families that make up the stud’s program, and then we toured the barns. That evening at our forum, we enjoyed a lively discussion of the bloodlines we had seen and how they are bred at Białka.
didn’t work among them. Because we had several different interests in our group, it was really fascinating to hear everyone’s opinions.
y r o t s e h t Saturday, June 28th f o t s he re t d a e r o T Friday, June 27th f o n o i t i d e e t e l and the comp . . . s e m i T e s r o Arabian H l a t i g i d T H A o t Subscribe . n o i t i d e t n i r p r o The next morning, we departed our hotel (the Zamojski, in Zamość) at around 10 and returned to Białka. To everyone’s delight, the sun had come out, and upon arrival, we took a long stroll among their yearling and 2-year-old colts. Once again, we got to see the process of the horses going out to pasture, and once again, it was impressive. We all got to pick a favorite or two out of the group, and then we all broke for lunch at a charming restaurant called Karczma Stajnia. I loved its character and atmosphere, and the food was delicious. We then made one last trip back to the farm, where we could select a horse or two that we wanted to see turned loose. Of course, my family had to see Perfirka.
In the late morning, we departed for Warsaw, where we were scheduled to attend the races at Służewiec Racetrack in the afternoon. What made this even more fun was that one member of our group, Helene Zaleski, of Lutetia Arabians in France, had a horse running in the fourth race. The track is beautiful, and located right in Warsaw. We went directly to the backside, where Helene’s trainer, Bogdan Strójwas, who also trains for Janów Podlaski, gave us a tour.
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That night, our forum was extra special, as that was when we started seeing the Horsefly films and photos of the horses on our trip so far, and that added to our education. Scott directed our discussions, dissecting the various bloodlines and helping us identify what we thought worked and
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Then, with first post coming up, we headed to the clubhouse. Before the fourth race, we all placed our bets on Helene’s horse, Wameria, a mare by Amer d.b.—and did she reward us! She won the featured event that day, so we not only got a return on our betting investment, but also were invited to enjoy a special champagne toast. After the races, we made our way to our hotel, the Polonia, which is located in one of the oldest buildings in Warsaw. That night, we walked around Old Town and had dinner at a great little café.