Spotlight

Saluting some of our Al Khamsa teams in National Competition in 2022!

by Nichole Grodski

2022 Distance Nationals

Bak Jabari

2011 bay gelding. Radaar Love x Infinite Grace IFA, Breeder: Sue Carroll.

Bak Jabari, aka “Judah” was definitely named appropriately — brave, fearless and noble. That, he most certainly is! Judah was given to me by my parents this past Mother’s Day, as they said, “he chose me”. I am fortunate now to own three Al Khamsa horses and ALL are the most magnificent and loyal partners I have ever had! There are a lot of components needed to have a solid 100-mile horse. Intelligent, good eater, drinker, having a solid metabolic system, good night vision, soundness ... the list goes on. One thing I have noticed with Judah and my others is that they have a “built in” self-preservation mechanism. They take care of themselves and their family members, both horses and humans. Judah and I just competed in the Arabian Horse Distance Nationals 100-Mile event in Gooding, The Equestrian Vagabond- Merri Melde Idaho this past October. We tied for third place along with my mother and her horse at 16hrs 27 min. This particular event was the fourth 100-mile event that we have completed together in his career. (All have been Top Ten finishes). I learn more about this amazing individual every time I ride him, but I was astounded at what a phenomenal “night” horse he is. I have ridden him in the dark before but we traveled a bit faster this time. He led the last 16 miles in darkness and never missed a step. The solid fearless horse he is completely shined! I'm so grateful for the trust he has in me and the partnership we have.

Some of Judah's accomplishments in the five seasons he has been competing are over 2600 endurance miles, four Top Ten one-day 100’s , 2020 100 mile leg for me winning the Iron Woman 200-mile Champion, 2020 Al Khamsa High Mileage Horse of the Year, 2019 65 mile AERC National Champion and Best Condition, and most recently, 2022 third place (tie) for AHA Distance Nationals 100 mile National Champion. He has had 53 starts in five years of competing and 50 finishes. The 3 pulls Judah has had were all this year, due to shoeing management issues that thankfully were resolved mid-season with no harm done and a stronger faith, which made having successfully finished the AHA Distance Nationals all the more special.

I'm so grateful to all of the incredible people in this group that have dedicated their lives to keeping these amazing horses in existence. They have shown me what no other horses I've ever ridden have. ~ Jennifer Niehaus

2022 Canada’s National Championships

Aimbri El Kaream

2013 grey stallion. REA El Kaream+ x Tal Imdal. Bred by David Myers.

Canada’s National Arabian Championships were held September 27–October 2, 2022 in Red Deer, Alberta.

With AHA cancelling Canadian Nationals for the third year in a row, a dedicated and determined group of Canadians, Western Canada Breeders, decided to put on the “Canadian National Show”. This was the first such show, and they will be running their own annual Canadian Nationals Show in the future. Dates are already set for Aug. 13-20, 2023. They are anticipating that the show will continue to grow and gain attention, and are not worried about the AHA-run Canadian Nationals. If they run it, great, but this show will go on, regardless, and Americans are welcome.

Aimbri Arabians had a fabulous time showing at the first year of Canada's National Arabian Championships. It was a fantastic show, with a successful turn out and attended by competitors from across North America.

Aimbri El Kaream was purchased by Aimbri Arabians as a weanling. Shown at Canada's National Championship show to Top 6 awards in SHIH Hunter Type AATH, SHIH Dressage Type Open, Stallion Halter AATH, and Stallion Halter Open. Trained and shown in all his classes by his amateur owner, Jeannette Jardine.

Prue Critchley Aimbri Kareamah

2021 rose-grey mare. Aimbri El Kaream x Aimbri Bint Bint Matrabb. Bred by Jeannette Jardine.

Bred, raised, trained and shown by her amateur owner Jeannette Jardine. Following in her sire’s hoofprints, this filly earned Reserve National Champion in Yearling Filly Open, Top 6 in SHIH Hunter Type and Top 6 in SHIH Dressage Type. She represents the fourth generation of the Aimbri Arabians breeding program and is not only a wonderful representative of the influence of her sire, but also of her dedicated and devoted breeder, who hopes she can inspire others to train and show as well.

2022 Sport Horse Nationals

Jassirah RZ

2019 grey mare. Waheed Al Azhaar RZ x Mistazah. Bred by Angela White.

Amongst a handful of Al Khamsa Arabians showing up for this year’s Sport Horse Nationals, Roze Arabians had a short but successful show season with their young horses in Wilmington, OH Sept. 12-17, 2022.

No slouch to the show ring, this sporty lady earned her second career Top Ten in the Three Year Old Arabian Mare Jackpot SHIH class at SHN in a healthy mare class, shown by her breeder and owner. Jassirah will be put under saddle this winter to start her under saddle career.

Al Fakhour RZ

2021 grey stallion. Kisra Djamel Sinan x Desired Millicent. Bred by Angela White.

This handsome and athletic young man made his show ring debut at SHN, earning a Top Ten in the Yearling Arabian Colt SHIH class and the affection of many. Shown by David Conner, his movement score tied with the Reserve Champion. This is a victory in and of itself for this youngster’s first time out.

The future is bright for these two young horses, and we not only commend Angela’s breeding efforts, but also her represention of the athletic and versatile Al Khamsa Arabian in this arena! Hooray for breed ambassadors!

2022 US Nationals

Fay Balima

2017 chestnut mare. RB Cavalier x Al Asam Zaheera. Bred by Theresa McKinzie.

Fay Balima is now the 2022 United States Reserve National Champion in Arabian Herd Work Futurity!

After a rigorous training season in 2021, and successful show season in 2022 earning her a handful of Class A wins, along with Region 9 Arabian Herd Work Junior Champion win, Balima had a wonderful “Ride for the Roses” victory this bright October morning with rider & trainer Eddie Ralston aboard, to win the reserve! Who can ask for a better way to wrap up the show season?

Owner and breeder Dr. Theresa McKinzie says, “I am so proud of this mare and grateful to Eddie and the whole team at Ralston Training Center at 4R Ranch for giving her such a great start and I look forward to a very bright future!” We are so proud and grateful for her breeder and owner for breeding such a wonderful mare, preserving precious breeding, and showing the world what our Al Khamsa Arabians are capable of. The proof is in the pudding… certainly blood worth carrying on!

This coordinated, beautiful and talented mare is certainly one to command attention, make anyone proud, and inspired and get out there and show ‘em what Al Khamsa Arabians are made of! Go Balima! Schatzberg Photography This was the first time for both horse and owner, Missy Head, showing at US Nationals. She was always led to believe the Egyptians didn’t have a chance to place, however trainer and handler, Mike Wilson, had great confidence that this mare would be competitive, so Missy told him, “Let’s give it a go!”. Angels Envy was in a deep class with some very lovely senior mares- there is something ethereal about senior Arabian mares and this WAS a class to behold. It has always been one of Missy’s favorite classes, especially at The Pyramid Society’s Egyptian Event, so you can imagine her joy when they placed Top Ten! Missy accounts for several Al Khamsa Egyptians competing in other classes, along with her mare, and they all placed. “I think we need to show our horses. If you have a quality horse, people want to see them…bring them out! Tulsa is a very friendly place and we had a blast!” This proud owner plans on being back next year with a horse, and if nothing else, just attending to see the beautiful horses, support the exhibitors and have fun! That is what it is all about! She will be making breeding decisions soon for this lovely mare and is very excited for what the future holds. Quite frankly, so are we! Congratulations!

2022 US Nationals

Angels Envy

2012 chestnut mare. The Singleton x Mahroussat Mishaal. Bred by Gary or Mary Putman.

2022 US Nationals

Amir Moudalal

2014 bay stallion. Bellagio RCA x Zipporah Al Jannat. Bred by Steven Highet & Billie Sullivan.

Amir Moudalal is an authentic Arabian name given to him by renowned author, Bachir Youseph Bserani Al Moussami (known as Bachir Bserani in the US), meaning “Spoiled Prince”. And Prince he is!

He was purchased as a two year old in 2016 from breeders out of Woodleaf, NC by owner and trainer, Lisa Cleveland. He affectionately goes by “Moo”. His show career started as a three year old: he was 2017 Region 16 Champion and Reserve Champion Halter Stallion, 201719 Region 15 Reserve Champion Halter Stallion, Region 16 Championship Top 3 in both Main Ring and Sport Horse In Hand Stallions, all trained and showed by owner, Lisa. They moved to Harrodsburg, KY in 2021 and he went back in the show ring this year with trainer and handler, Danny Thompson, of Bella Vista Equestrian Center in Lawrenceburg KY.

In their 2022 season, he placed well in all of his classes, both Main Ring and SHIH. He won “Most Classic Arabian” at the SAHIBA (Society for Arabian Horses in the Bluegrass Area ) show, went Top 5 at Region 14 Championships, and most recently, earned Top Ten Senior Stallions Breeding Championship at the 2022 US Nationals. Commenting on her talented stallion, owner Lisa says, “Moo is extremely smart and athletic, making him extremely easy to train.” Beauty, brains, and talent … what more can one expect from an Al Khamsa Arabian horse?

Angels Envy. Photo: Arabian Horse Times.