Preserving the Abbas Pasha Heritage by Bev Davison

from Khamsat Vol. 31 No. 3, January 2021

by Robert J. Cadranell

Preserving the Abbas Pasha Heritage, Part One

by Bev Davison

The SpiritWind Horses SpiritWind Desert Arabians, LLC 1991-2021 Update

It began with a road trip, or two. There is nothing like seeing and feeling horses in the flesh, experiencing them in their glory — especially at liberty. Better yet, to touch them and look into their eyes. So special! Thirty-plus years ago, the internet, email, and even cell phones were yet to be the tools they have become today. Photos and video were often distorted — if you could successfully download them. Being near the horse in person was imperative, particularly if you were looking with the intent to breed.

Seeing Sierra Sandarac, “Sandman,” as he was fondly called, for the first time and watching him move was something I hope I never forget. I am naturally drawn to the deep, rich-coated types, and it was equally appealing that 3he had a very calm, approachable presence, as well. He was an extraordinarily strong, masculine creature, yet his eye was soft. Those nostrils flared like big jet air intakes. His chest was wide and powerful. He was full-bodied with well- sprung ribs and a hind-end motor that exuded power! His legs were chiseled, with short cannons and dense with noticeable bone of durability. His feet, sure as the sun, devoured the ground, yet he moved with the grace and athleticism of a much more lightly built animal. I was transfixed!

Watching Sierra Sandarac running across the Colorado landscape at the Maloof ranch is where the SpiritWind chapter truly began. Sierra Sandarac be- Sierra Sandarac AHR #115265, 1974 bay stallion, Sierra came the foundation sire of the SpiritWind effort in 1991. He was to continue Sand x Sierra Sable, 50% Babson – 50% Doyle, Saqlawi-Jithe Babson/Doyle blend with their high percentages of Abbas Pasha blood. He dran, Third Generation Pure in the Strain, B. Maloof photo, came to Minnesota in early winter at the age of 18. I remember him coming 65.7% Abbas Pasha. off the trailer in the dark, under a yard light. He calmly assessed the new surroundings, and then turned to the hauler and nudged him hard in a rather obvious way as if to say, “You can go now, I’m good here.” We all looked at each other in astonishment and chuckled. He was ever the sage and clown. Thus began our whimsical relationship.

He was bred by Jerry Smith, of Caballos Sierras/Sierra Arabian Horses, Inc., also from Colorado, and was born in 1974. He was 50% Babson — influenced by Mahrouss (Fay-El-Dine x Khedena) on the top and Negem (Fa-Serr x Fay-Negma) on the bottom. He was also 50% Doyle — influenced by Gulnara (Ghadaf x Gulida) on the top and Jadera (Jadib x Im Gulnar) on the bottom. In addition, he was of the now very rare Fay-El-Dine sire line,1 third generation pure in the strain Saqlawi Jidran of Ibn Sudan, and he carried 65.7% blood from the heritage of Abbas Pasha I (AP)!2 (Note: The use of AP% in this article includes the combination of Abbas Pasha and Ali Pasha Sharif heritage into one source percentage number. This practice is supported by research provided by Edouard al-Dahdah, to be published in a forthcoming book this year.)

Sandarac came from excellent stock. His sire, Sierra Sand, also boasting 66.26% of AP blood, is listed as bred by Ellen Doyle. Jerry Smith acquired him and used him many times on his mares and considered him “by far the best stallion that I raised.”3 He described him in his Latigo Ranch Reference Sires listing as “an extremely classic stallion with a lot of substance, standing 15-2 hands, copper chestnut with white markings.”4 Jerry lived on a working cattle ranch. He used his Arabians in everyday ranch work, and his family enjoyed showing in local cutting, reining, trail and western pleasure classes. When frustrated by the lack of Arabian shows, and even fewer Arabian horses participating in the working western classes, Jerry and his family started a Western Fun Day at their ranch and invited Arabian competitors. He felt he could showcase his unique Arabians and that more working events would attract people into owning and showing Arabians, making it more fun for all.

A feature in the February 1974 Western Horseman, described the day as follows: “And fun they had. Sedate, winning western pleasure horses spun booger-eyed in terror when faced by yearling Angus calves. Well-broke show ring veterans bucked. The crowd relaxed, laughed, and tried their luck at new and fast-moving events. To some owners’ surprise, their inexperienced horses handled the critters fairly well, considering.

Everyone went home with a sunburn (the Colorado sun was generous that October day) and a determination to do it again. Classes included only one western pleasure class (to get everyone warmed up), and then western riding, stock horse, cutting, egg and spoon race, team penning, working cowhorse, flag race, team roping, and calf daubing. Each class was explained for those not familiar with the event, then competition started under the auspices of a judge and AHSA rules.”5 Jerry Smith bred roughly 20-plus Babson/Doyle blended horses6 between 1965 and 1976, and they were indeed “using” horses, but when the Smith family retired from breeding Arabians, many of their horses were not used to carry the blood forward.

Left, Sire of Sierra Sandarac: Sierra Sand (Mahrouss x Gulnara) 15.2h, 1967 chestnut stallion bred by Ellen Doyle, 66.26% Abbas Pasha. Right top, Mahrouss (Fay-El-Dine x Khedena), age four, 1954 grey stallion bred by Henry B. Babson, 68.07% Abbas Pasha. Right bottom, Gulnara (Ghadaf x Gulida), age two, 1952 chestnut mare bred by J.L. or Ellen Doyle, 64.45% Abbas Pasha.

Left, Dam of Sierra Sandarac: Sierra Sable (Negem x Jadera), 1967 bay mare bred by Sierra Arabian Horses/Jerry Smith, 65.14% Abbas Pasha. Right top, Negem (Fa-Serr x Fay-Negma), 1956 black stallion, bred by Henry B. Babson, Betty Rider photo, 68.17% Abbas Pasha. Right bottom, Jadera (Jadib x Im Gulnar), 1962 chestnut mare bred by Ellen Doyle, D. Bohart photo, 62.11% Abbas Pasha.

Fortunately, the 1967 black-bay mare Sierra Sable, dam of Sierra Sandarac, did. She is listed by the Al Khamsa online pedigree roster (2019) as having 52 descendants. She, as well, carried significant Abbas Pasha blood at 65.14%. Upon seeing Sierra Sable in person at Jerry Smith’s ranch, Joe Ferriss reacted as follows: “Wow, what a mare. Very high quality, and of the few Babson/Doyles that I had seen in person, she was right at the top. Very friendly and confident personality. Sable was very dark so as to appear seal brown, the color associated with *Astraled and his son Sotamm. She had large almond-shaped eyes and her overall silhouette was of ideal balance and harmony.”7 These words also described Sierra Sandarac — bold, confident, friendly. His presence demanded your attention, and his intelligent, playful character would often catch you off-guard! He was the perfect individual to establish a new foundation and to continue the blending of these two fine groups.

The idea to blend the horses of the Babson and Doyle programs really began roughly 30 years before my Colorado visit. It was first initiated by Ellen Doyle, wife of Dr. Joseph L. Doyle, after his passing in 1957. Fa-Serr, the well-known and successful 1947 black Babson stallion, was bred to the first-generation 1952 chestnut Doyle-bred mare, Gulnara. The result was the first blending of Babson and Doyle stock, producing the 1959 bay stallion Serg (AHR#015681). Like Sierra Sandarac, Serg was a rich, darker bay of substance and good

mind. Serg is shown in the 1969 photo (below), standing calmly in a Pleasure Driving class at Pueblo, Colorado, his first time shown in this class.

Left, Serg (Fa-Serr x Gulnara) 1959 bay stallion bred by Ellen Doyle, Leslie Neppel photo, 66.99% Abbas Pasha. Right top, Sire of Serg: Fa-Serr (*Fadl x *Bint Serra I) 1947 black stallion bred by Henry B. Babson, 69.53% Abbas Pasha. Right bottom, Dam of Serg: Gulnara (Ghadaf x Gulida), age two, 1952 chestnut mare, bred by J.L. or Ellen Doyle, 64.45% Abbas Pasha.

Serg represented the beginning of the blending of the Babson and the Doyle programs. It was a resourceful idea to do so as both groups descend from remotely similar roots yet provide diversity to each other, and most importantly they bring together some of the highest concentrations of Abbas Pasha (AP) heritage available worldwide. It must have been disheartening to realize during those years that the AP blood had already been outcrossed without maintaining a core group from which its original old-world purity and Desert type could be preserved. This was a driving force for Joseph Doyle when he put Ghadaf, Gulida, and Nusi together.

Being of Abbas Pasha heritage was and remains a valuable distinction in the Arabian horse world. Abbas Pasha I (born July 1, 1812 – assassinated July 16, 1854) ruled as Viceroy of Egypt from 1848 to 1854.8 He was the son of Tousson Pasha, nephew of Ibrahim Pasha, and grandson of Viceroy Muhammad Ali (March 4, 1769 – August 2, 1849). While all were horsemen, Muhammad Ali was known to have assembled one of the largest and finest collections of Desert Arabians in the history of the breed. Abbas Pasha lost his father at a young age. His grandfather raised him in the Desert, fostering his own passion for the finest of the Desert Arabian horses. He was put in charge of the administration of his grandfather’s breeding stations by the age of 23. Later, when he had financial resources of his own, he set out to gather the best horses he could find from throughout the region of Desert Arabia. He employed Bedouins to continue their husbandry and historical knowledge to best ensure the maintenance of the true noble quality of these Desert gems. He went to great lengths to ensure each horse’s pedigree was of utmost quality and their history completely reliable. He was the first to put such information in written form, keeping meticulous records himself. While opinions of him as a ruler or a man may not have been stellar,9 his permanent impact on the quality and purity of the Arabian breed is without question.

Today, in the words of Edouard Al Dahdah, noted authority on the Desert Arabian horse and its history: “The Abbas Pasha blood continues to bear the hallmarks of undisputable authenticity of blood and high breeding. The Abbas Pasha bloodlines flow seamlessly in the herd Ali Pasha Sharif assembled during and after Abbas Pasha’s lifetime, until the Ali Pasha Sharif stud dispersed in 1896. In turn, these bloodlines made their way through the studs of other Egyptian royals and that of Lady Anne and Wilfrid Blunt at Crabbet Park in Great Britain and Sheykh Obeyd in Egypt. Today, the ‘unmistakable stamp’ (as Lady Anne Blunt put it) of the Abbas Pasha/Ali Pasha Sharif blood continues to mark many lineages of Arabian horses around the world. One can safely say that the greater the percentage of Abbas Pasha blood in a horse, the better the horse.”

From the beginning, the SpiritWind program has focused on very basic principles: Preserve the ancient Desert blood and type; use horses of high percentage Abbas Pasha/Ali Pasha Sharif heritage; seek to use the highest possible concentration of this blood; and breed true to its source and with like individuals only. In partnership with the blood, the priority goal is to breed Desert Arabians whose intelligence, work ethic and temperament exceed all stereotypes and who can and will do what a companion horse should be able to do. As natural in-your-tent family horses they want to be with us, but they are also ranch horses, and sport horses, and reliable trail horses — “doing” horses. These attributes are not guaranteed unless you start with quality animals and cultivate the generations to follow. The blend of the Babson and Doyle stock combines the best of both groups in an animal with extraordinary potential. Highest on that scale of potential is their innate genetic power to excel in the sport of Endurance. The numerous records of ancestors’ achievements, whether from cavalry/remount or other predecessors’ accomplishments, support this. This phrase best captures the resolve of the SpiritWind Desert Arabians, LLC program: “The Spirit of the WarHorse with the Temperament of the TentDweller.”

This source blood brought forward through the Babson and Doyle programs is strong. The nine core horses within the Babson (six) and Doyle (three) groups provide closeup lineage not only to their Desert roots, but specifically to the Abbas Pasha (AP) heritage. The 1923 bay Babson mare *Bint Serra I provides the highest AP influence, with 75%. (See Table 1 below.) She also provides this influence in the straight Babson and Babson/Brown groups.

Table 1. AP Influence of the Babson & Doyle Root Horses used in the Babson/Doyle Horses

Name Birth Sex Color Sire Dam Group Breeder Tail Male Tail Female Strain %AP

*Fadl 1930 gs Ibn Rabdan (RAS) Mahroussa (MNL) Babson Prince Mohamed Aly Jamil El Kebir (APK) Ghazieh (AP) Kuhaylan Ajuz of Ibn Jallab 64.06

*Maaroufa 1931 gm Ibn Rabdan (RAS) Mahroussa (MNL) Babson Prince Mohamed Aly Jamil El Kebir (APK) Ghazieh (AP) Kuhaylan Ajuz of Ibn Jallab 64.06

*Bint Serra I 1923 bm Sotamm (BLT) Serra (BLT) Babson Prince Kamal al-Din Zobeyni (AP) Ghazieh (AP) Saqlawiyah Jidraniyah of Ibn Sudan

*Bint Bint Sabbah 1930 bm Baiyad (RAS) Bint Sabah (RAS) Babson Royal Agricultural Society Saklawi I (APS) El Dahma (APS) Dahmah

Shahwaniyah

*Bint Saada 1930 cm Ibn Samhan (RAS) Saada (MNL) Babson Prince Mohamed Aly Jamil El Kebir (APK) Roga El Beda (APS) Saqlawiyah

Jidraniyah of

Ibn Sudan

*Bint Bint Durra 1930 cm Ibn Rabdan (RAS) Bint Durra (RAS) Babson Royal Agricultural Society Jamil El Kebir (APK) Bint El

Bahreyn (KDV) Dahmah

Shahwaniyah

Ghadaf 1929 cs Ribal Gulnare Doyle W.R. Brown Zobeyni (AP) Ghazieh (AP) Saqlawiyah Jidraniyah of Ibn Sudan

Gulida 1939 cm Gulastra Valida Doyle Francis J. Clarke Zobeyni (AP) Ghazieh (AP) Saqlawiyah Jidraniyah of Ibn Sudan

Nusi 1928 cs Gulastra Nusara Doyle W.R. Brown Zobeyni (AP) Dajania (BLT) Saqlawiyah Jidraniyah of Ibn Sudan

*1932 Babson Importation. 75.00

63.28

46.88

43.75

65.62

63.28

56.25

A Different View

The terms used to identify and categorize today’s breeding groups are well-earned labels. Many are family names. They reasonably frame and package their efforts (and there are many) and pay respect to those who have labored to keep the Desert Arabian horse alive and available for the future. One might compare them to the use of strain associations used in the oral tradition of the Bedouins, maintained until this day. If we are to understand the true depth of the blood, though, we must look beyond them for a moment.

Attempting to thoroughly explain the common sources of the original Desert and old Egyptian stock that brought forward what we have remaining of the Abbas Pasha Stud is a task for true historians. It is also likely truly of interest to select few students of the breed and blood history. What follows, instead, are some highlights and comparisons of ancestors who have, in my experience, influentially formed this group, and who have been recognized within the Babson/Doyle and Pritzlaff/Babson/Doyle horses that have graced the SpiritWind pastures.

As these individual horses were located across the United States and were coming together physically during 1989–1991, I was studying the possibilities for matings and generations to follow. Many discussions with much more senior horsemen and researchers than I took place on that topic. In the early years I believed that in time, the blending of this blood would create a consistent type, one phenotype, a merging of all that either group had to contribute. Today, I know this to not be true, nor do I wish it to be!

It is true that with certain combinations of this intensely pure genetic source, the blood does seem to bring up reflections of ancestors more removed than others. And it is also true that this group has developed its own distinct uniqueness, separate from either parent group. This is apparent daily in person and hopefully well demonstrated in the following photos (see also Part II of this article in the next Khamsat).

While there are indeed blended characteristics that are by desire and design, there is clearly a minimum of four, possibly five, distinct types that appear from these old blood sources coming together in a mindful manner. Each subtype is complete with its own natural attributes and tendencies, personalities and colors. It is, in my opinion, a natural statement of the depth and strength of the genetic diversity that remains within this ancient blood.

One might ask, “Why preserve this group when both source groups are available, and blending can be initiated at will?” It is my belief that there is much to protect and treasure in the close-up old blood that can only be tapped into from the direct lines that connect it together, to itself, and to the babies that place their feet on the ground today. Once we leave it behind, it is out of reach, and history is replete with genetic losses from such oversights.

It is inexpressibly important to preserve the original old Desert Arabian. It is not a point that preservation breeders should let loose of. Many challenges and sacrifices are accepted along this journey. The reward at times is simply having those moments when the eye catches a glimpse of a horse from the past who has, in a fleeting moment, stepped into the flesh of the present. When you pause to appreciate, even awe, at the realization that some do so from as long ago as 100 years or more in one five-generation pedigree, it answers that question, “Why?” It is likewise affirming when an outside observer comments, “Oh, that horse looks just like so-and-so,” as is seeing the past in the most recent babies who will carry it all forward. It is as always, “in the eye of the beholder.”

This continuity of breeding from the day of Abbas Pasha to today, as seen in the SpiritWind horses, will be demonstrated in detail in Part II of this article. There, we will explore the physical appearance, temperament and personality of the following Asil ancestors who have influenced the forming of the Babson/Doyle group: Mesaoud, *Rodan, *Bint Serra I, Gulastra, Fa-Serr, Subani, Bint Gulida, Saafaddan, Jady, Jadera, Parnell, Bint Bint Subani, Serg, and, of course, Sierra Sand, Sierra Sable and Sierra Sandarac. Their presence is apparent in many cases from as far back as 100 years or more. The Part II photo comparisons are provided to highlight the diversity and depth of this unique group and to increase the awareness of its contribution to the genetic strength of the future of the Desert Arabian.

Today’s Ongoing Efforts

In recent years, much effort has been spent battling nature and time while attempting to replace aging animals with current foals. The ongoing goal of maintaining the highest influence of AP blood has also been top priority. As of late Fall 2019, the dark bay Babson/Hallany Mistanny stallion Maarakesh (Zarife el Mansour x Maahroufa) joined the herd here. His AP percentage is an amazing 66.22%. His first foals from one (confirmed), possibly two Babson/Doyle mares, are due in 2021 and will carry 65.56% Abbas Pasha blood. There are also “straight” Babson horses with high percentages of *Bint Serra I, and consequently high percentages of AP blood, that we will continue to pursue. An additional older mare will be added to the hopeful list for 2021–22, gifted from the Doyle family: Hampshire’s Joyce, a 2001 chestnut mare (Maloof Najid x Yasmin Khanum DC), will be paired Maarakesh (Zarife el Mansour x Maahroufa) 2000 with Sierra Cheyenne, Subanet Jabbar SDA and/or Maarakesh in hopes for future bay stallion, BjDavison photo, 66.22% Abbas Pasha. foals with AP heritages of 64% or better.

Chris Mellen of Utah has bred Babson/Doyle and Pritzlaff/Babson/Doyle lines for well over two decades. Her 1998 chestnut stallion Sierra Cheyenne, a Sierra Sandarac son, is one of the few remaining representatives of the nearly lost Fay-El-Dine sire line. His daughter, the 2003 chestnut mare Al Jahaarah, out of Sally-O-Doyle, 1988 chestnut mare (Ghalidar x Bint Subani), will also be paired with Maarakesh and/or Subanet Jabbar SDA for future 2022 foals who would register AP concentrations of 64-65%. Not all efforts are a success. There are always stories. I am keeping the hope that this story will have a happy ending. It involves Sierra Sandarac, dearest to my heart and whose influence I’m grateful to have grounding this group; his dear, sweet daughter Binty (Bint Sandarac SDA), who was lost this year at her young age of 25; and her only daughter (by Left, Al Jahaarah (Sierra Cheyenne x Sally-O-Doyle) 2003 chest- Sandarac) — a father/daughter combination I wish I had been brave nut mare, 15.2hh, S. Stevens photo, 63.83% Abbas Pasha. Right, enough to repeat many more times: Sariah Sand SDA. Sariah is a 2002 Sally-O-Doyle (Ghalidar x Bint Subani) 1988 chestnut mare, black Babson/Doyle mare who, for me, is perfect in all ways imaginable BjDavison photo, 63.20% Abbas Pasha. (well, no horse is perfect) except, she is battling a non-genetic disease

Left, Sierra Sandarac (Sierra Sand x Sierra Sable) 1974 bay stallion, BjDavison photo, 65.7% Abbas Pasha. Center, Bint Sandarac SDA (Sierra Sandarac x Bint Bint Subani) 1995 bay mare, BjDavison photo, 64.10% Abbas Pasha. Right, Sariah Sand SDA (Sierra Sandarac x Bint Sandarac SDA) 2002 black mare, BjDavison photo, 64.90% Abbas Pasha.

that has interfered with her reproductive abilities. Asymptomatic to date, it was recently discovered to be compounding the natural complications that aging has on reproductive success. She will continue treatments and live with Maarakesh, who has happily embraced this as his mission!

Since the beginning of this journey, the Pritzlaff blood has been a secondary program at SpiritWind. The first foal to land on SpiritWind soil was the flashy Pritzlaff/Babson/Doyle-bred colt — my beloved Rajabani SDA (far right). Clearly a descendant of Subani by looks, he also shared in willing tent-dweller temperament and all-around athletic abilities. Rajabani had promise for a long Left, Subani (Ghadaf x Im Gulnar) 1955 chestnut Doyle stallion. Right, Rajabani SDA career in Endurance but was lost in his teens unexpectedly while I was in Idaho looking at mares (RajmonoRSI x Bint Bint Subani) 1993 Pritzlaff/Babson/Doyle chestnut stallion with the author, photo T Webber. to breed with him in the future.

In recent years, through cooperative efforts with Edouard al-Dahdah and Chris Mellen, a few new individuals have been added to the very lean group of tail-female Basilisk (1875 grey mare) mares via Rabanna (1947 grey mare). This was accomplished through the use of the long-established blending of Pritzlaff, Doyle, and later Babson/Doyle breeding, and in this case, specific mares bred by Sheila Harmon. DA Ginger Moon (DB Destiny Moniet x Kumence RSI) has had two fillies by Rajabani SDA’s half-brother — Subanet Jabbar SDA (highlighted in Part II of this article) — and is due again with a June 2021 full sibling. DA Elusive Melody (DB Destiny Moniet x SongOfJoy RSI) had a 2017 chestnut filly by Sierra Cheyenne, Cheyenne’s Melody. And DA Willow Windsong (Serr Serabaar x DA Elusive Cheyennes Melody (Sierra Cheyenne x DA Melody) will be bred to SpiritWind Ahsahm for a 2022 foal to contribute to this tail female Elusive Melody) 2017 chestnut mare, Pritzlaff/ line. DA Ginger Moon’s full sister, DA Moon Dancer, was sadly lost to stomach cancer this Babson/Doyle, tail-female Rabanna/Basilisk, year, an unfortunate loss for this small group. S. Stevens photo, 61.97% Abbas Pasha.

In other updates of the SpiritWind and Babson/Doyle horses, notably, six stallions within this group are of the Fay-El-Dine sire line and may be among the last anywhere! This is a lineage that needs immediate attention if valued. It is currently present in two active and one retired Babson/Doyle stallions, and through SpiritWind Ahsahm and his two recent sons of a new and old Egyptian blend. This blend occurs through another use of Pritzlaff breeding. SpiritWind Ahsahm (2001 black stallion) is Babson/Doyle bred, a direct son of Sierra Sandarac, but with 25% new Egyptian heritage through *Lancers Sahm (1974 bay stallion) on his dam’s side. The use of Ahsahm maintains the rare, almost extinct Fay-El-Dine sire line of Sierra Sandarac and carries it forward to his two current sons SpiritWind Baasil (2018 grey stallion) and SpiritWind AhsahmMoon (2020 grey stallion). Left, *Lancers Sahm (Sabeel x Aziza) 1974 bay stallion, bred These two boys are out of another Sheila Harmon mare, DA Moni- by EAO, Sparagowski photo. Right, DA Moniets Dove (DA Blue ets Dove (2007 grey mare), whose paternal grandsire DB Destiny Moon x DA Moniets Lark) 2007 grey mare, BjDavison photo.

Sierra Sandarac (Sierra Sand x Sierra Sable) 1974 bay stallion, B. Maloof photo, 65.7% Abbas Pasha. SpiritWind Ahsahm (Sierra Sandarac x EDA Sahmantha) 2001 black stallion, 62.18% Abbas Pasha. Full siblings: SpiritWind Baasil, 2018 grey stallion and SpiritWind AhsahmMoon, 2020 grey stallion, both (SpiritWind Ahsahm x DA Moniets Dove) BjDavison photos, 60.69% Abbas Pasha.

Moniet (1981 chestnut stallion) is a son of the previously highlighted Babson/Doyle mare Sierra Sady (Serg x Jady). This blend is therefore one of a more common heritage than is obvious at first glance. Closing thoughts – Part I

The Babson/Doyle and the Pritzlaff/Babson/Doyle horses are from great old blood. They are a joy to handle and share life with — and a lot of fun to ride! Their intelligence, confidence, funny personalities, insatiable work ethic, and smooth, powerful way of going are understated qualities to be appreciated. Part II will provide a visual comparison tour of today’s horses with those from the past who have contributed great influence in this unique group. It will offer descriptions and reactions from those who had the privilege to stand next to these grand horses in person and further demonstrate what the horses with the “Spirit of the WarHorse with the Temperament of the TentDweller” embody.

In the words of Edouard Al Dahdah: “The breeding program of Bev Davison at SpiritWind Desert Arabians, LLC is a gem. It consistently produces superior individuals of the old type of Arabian horses, with high withers, deep girths, long hips, broad chests, highly set and carried tails, an expressive head, and superlative, powerful, flowing movement and style. It is a case study in what careful planning and tireless observation of current horses and their antecedents can achieve over the years, when paired with indisputably authentic blood of the highest order.”

Notes: 1. Personal correspondence/research information with Chris Mellen, Edouard al-Dahdah, and Arlene Magid. 2. Heirloom Egyptian Arabian Horses 1840-2000, John Fippen; The use of combined AP/APS% and *Eid AP/APS% calculated at 50% derived from personal correspondence with Edouard Al Dahdah. 3. Maloof, Bruce E. “An Interview with Jerry Smith,” Foundations, 4:4 (Winter 1994-1995): 13-15. 4. Latigo Ranch Reference Sires Descriptions, Jerry Smith — hand-typed copy. B Davison personal collection. 5. Thompson, Robin. “Fun Day for Arabians,” Western Horseman, February 1974: 66-68, 144. 6. Al KhamsaTM Arabians 2019 Digital Roster v9.0. 7. Ferriss, Joe. Personal correspondence via email, description of Sierra Sable. 11-30-20 8. White, Linda, “Horse in History - Abbas Pasha Revisited,” Arabian Horse Times, September 2007: 329AA-336AA; Aug 31, 2011. 9. Doaa Kandil, Faculty of tourism and hotels, Helwan University “Abbas Pasha: A Ruler at Odds,” Journal of Association of Arab Universities for Tourism and

Hospitality, Vol. 12 No. 2 (Dec. 2015) 15:41.

SpiritWind Desert Arabians, LLC Established 1991 Celebrating 30 years!

Hard to believe it has been 30 years since my first AK horse arrived! It all began with “Sandman” (Sierra Sandarac) and many words of advice and encouragement from so many of YOU! Had I known then, a fraction of what I have learned over the years, I could not have picked a better group of horses to spend my years with! Preserving high percentage Abbas Pasha Heritage – Endurance Athletes “The Spirit of the WarHorse with the Temperament of the TentDweller”