Desert Heritage n.56

D E S E RT H E R I TA G E

Magazine

Naseem Al Rashediah Al Adeed Al Shaqab | Nabaweyah Ezzain

Naseem time has come!

Mr. Abdulrahman Al Jasmi owner of Al Rashediah Stud and Rashed, Milan SEWC 2017

SILVER MEDAL CHAMPION JUNIOR COLTS Menton, Mediterranean & Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championship 2017 GOLD MEDAL CHAMPION JUNIOR COLTS Straight Egyptian World Championship 2017 GOLD MEDAL CHAMPION SENIOR STALLIONS Straight Egyptian World Championship 2020 BRONZE MEDAL CHAMPION SENIOR STALLIONS Menton, Mediterranean & Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championship 2021 AWARDS 2016 Straight Egyptian World Championship - Best in Show Males 2016 Straight Egyptian World Championship - Best Head Males 2017 Menton - Best Movement Junior Males - Best Straight Egyptian 2020 Straight Egyptian World Championship - Best in Show Males - Best Sire

Standing at GIACOMO

CAPACCI

ARABIANS

Director: Ms. Eileen Verdieck - eileen@alrashediahstud.com - Phone: +1 720 369 0640 General manager: Mr. Franck Boetto - franck@alrashediahstud.com - Phone: +973 6693 3839

www.alrashediahstud.com

Fhara Diba Le Soleil Phaaros | Alfabia Nile Queen

2006 Straight Egyptian Grey Mare

Best Wishes to...

We wish the best of luck to our friends at AMRA ARABIANS in Florence for the 2022 foal season with Fhara Diba Le Soleil and Amra Ayda Le Soleil both in foal to NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH

Amra Ayda Le Soleil Sabeh Al Salhiyah | Fhara Diba Le Soleil

All photos © Elvis Giughera

2015 Straight Egyptian Grey Mare

Le Soleil Arabians AMRA ARABIANS Firenze - ITALY +39.335.523.7539

ELVIS GIUGHERA Virle Piemonte - ITALY LE SOLEIL STUD - Elvis Giughera +39.339.36.80.656 Via Borgata San Rocco 26 - 10060 CERCENASCO (TO) -info@le-soleil.org ITALY +39.3393680656 - www.le-soleil.org - E-mail: info@le-soleil.org

Desert Heritage Magazine n.56 iscr. trib. di Milano n. 466 del 20/09/02 Expedition in A.P. 70% Milano

Alim Editrice s.n.c. via Ressi, 22 - 20125 Milano (Italy) e-mail: info@tuttoarabi.it www.desertheritagemagazine.com instagram: @desertheritagemagazine Publisher Simone Leo mobile: +39 348 5640190 leo.simon@tiscali.it Editor Fabio Brianzoni fabiobrianzoni56@gmail.com Account Office/Subscription Office Barbara Belloni amministrazione@alimeditrice.it Writers Domenico Bergero Cynthia Culbertson Joe Ferriss Judith Forbis Dr. Hans Nagel Cynthia Préfontaine Monika Savier Sheik Thani bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Judith Wich-Wenning Digital Artwork Viviana Castiglioni Printed by AGF Spa San Giuliano Milanese Milano (Italy) Advertising Alim Editrice s.n.c. via Ressi, 22 - 20125 Milano (Italy) tel. +39 02 36762850 e-mail: info@tuttoarabi.it © www.desertheritagemagazine.com

Pag. 12 Doha Stud Pag. 32 Qamar El Zaman Al Waab Pag. 40 A Passion for the Finest Sculptures

J. Anne Butler Pag. 62 Serenity Sonbolah Pag. 71 El Sareei Pag. 90 Herbs for Horses Pag. 96 Beirut Horse Racing Pag. 112 Ali AlHawaj

photo by Alessio Azzali

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Qamar El Zaman Al Waab A horse is a thing of such beauty... none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor.

-Xenophenby Cynthia Culbertson - photos: Glenn Jacobs, Jennifer Ogden

With the birth of every colt, hope is born anew. Will he fulfill the promise of his ancestors? Will he have the qualities to make a breeding stallion? What will his offspring be like – will they resemble his sire, his dam, or his grandparents?

Qamar El Zaman Al Waab, as he enters his fourth year, brings to mind all of these questions and more. As he matures into a beautiful young stallion he is also an apt reflection of his name “Moon of the Ages” – a beacon of light reflecting 32 • Desert Heritage Magazine

dreams of a bright future.

Those who have loved and admired the Straight Egyptian Arabian horse over the past decades will have vivid memories of Qamar’s ancestors. They will picture the breathtaking trot and charisma of his sire Ansata Nile Echo as he commanded show rings with his huge dark eyes, incredible motion and proudly carried tail. They will reminisce about the alabaster coat and classic type of his grandsire, Al Adeed Al Shaqab,

Qamar El Zaman Al Waab (Ansata Nile Echo x D’Aajaa Al Naif )

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as the spotlight illuminated his victory as World Champion Stallion in Paris.

Perhaps they were fortunate enough to see the immortal Ansata Halim Shah when he arrived in Qatar, or Ruminaja Ali when he trotted to victory as a U.S. National Champion stallion.

Every student of the breed, however, will recognize that Qamar’s quality and beauty are the result of a meticulously planned breeding program. In Qamar’s sire lines, the multiple crosses to Ansata Halim Shah are tempered with outcrosses to Imperial Madheen, Jamil, and Prince Fa Moniet. The dam lines in his pedigree combine many of the most renowned mares to be exported from the Egyptian Agricultural Organization,

including Ansata Bint Bukra, Hanan, Magidaa and Nabilahh.

A mare that is featured ten times in Qamar El Zaman Al Waab’s ancestry, however, the beautiful bay Halima, never left her homeland yet exerted a worldwide influence. Qamar hails from this relatively rare Dahmah Shahwaniyah female line of Halima through the mare Maymoonah – he also has eight crosses to her most influential son Ansata Ibn Halima. Glowing with promise as he prances in the light of dawn, it is only fifng that Qamar is wearing a halter especially made by the famed Om Ezzat for his great-great grandsire Ansata Ibn Halima. He is indeed worthy of this honor. m

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ANSATA IBN HALIMA ANSATA HALIM SHAH ANSATA ROSETTA ANSATA HEJAZI ANSATA ABU SUDAN ANSATA SUDARRA ANSATA DELILAH ANSATA NILE ECHO THEEGYPTIANPRINCE PRINCE FA MONIET FA MONIET ANSATA WHITE NILE

Qamar El Zaman Al Waab 2017 grey, stallion

ANSATA IBN SUDAN ANSATA NILE GIFT ANSATA NILE JEWEL

ANSATA IBN HALIMA ANSTA HALIM SHAH ANSATA ROSETTA

AL ADEED AL SHAQAB RUMINAJA ALI SUNDAR ALISAYYAH IMPERIAL SAYYAH D'AAJAA AL NAIF IMPERIAL MADHEEN IMPERIAL MAHZEER MAAR BILAHH MEZNA AL RAYYAN ANSATA HALIM SHAH ANSATA MAGNIFICA ANSATA MALIKA

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Ansata Nile Echo

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A PASSION FOR THE FINEST SCULPTURES

J. Anne Butler The British J. Anne Butler is a self-employed sculptor and designer with more than 25 years of international recognition for her artwork. Her refined and elegant woks of art can be found in 38 countries all over the world. She sculpts from miniature bronze statues to monumental. n by Judith Wich-Wenning

J. Anne Butler was born in Whitehaven, a small coastal, rural town in Northern England. She was raised close to nature in a farming community in the English Lake District. “I was brought up on a farm where every inch of ground had to earn money”, Anne remembers. “I loved horses as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, for a long time I had to be satisfied with a bicycle! But I did eventually get a pony: a wild untamed mountain pony which I gentled down so eventually he became very friendly and amenable. Later our daughter had an Arabian mare, an Aswan granddaughter, that was a World Championship qualifier. We also bred

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miniature Shetland ponies, beautiful yet very independent creatures.”

J. Anne Butler owns a diploma in Fine Art and Design, Carlisle University, Carlisle, Cumbria, England. Asked after another profession beside this she remarks: “Art has been my passion and sole source of income for the last 35 years or so.” When asked about the beginning of her love for the Arabian horse, she remembers: “My step daughter who was crazy about horses is the reason I started amongst Arabians and from there it just developed a life of its own.” Then she

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continues: “Today art is my life, my living, and consumes most of my time. I love the Arabian horse, its history and culture. I have enjoyed my limited travels to the Middle East and time permitting hope to visit again with my many friends in that region of the world. My scope as an artist is not restricted to the Arabian horse since I love to push the boundaries and create new innovative works of art.”

Relating about her life, J. Anne Butler remarks: “I came to my sculpting career later in life than most artists and purely by chance. While working for an international figurine company as a painter, and raising my children alone, I returned to Art College to pursue a career in textile design.

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Due to circumstances beyond my control I was unable to further my chosen path. Instead I was given the opportunity to work in the origination studio of the figurine company, where I initially started to sculpt by texturing clays that had been produced by Master Sculptors. I then moved on to undertake my own work for the company.” J. Anne Butler remembers: “To me there are no boundaries, I have always believed that anyone can do anything they want, if they want to hard enough. I am entirely self-taught, learning by my powers of observation, not having had formal education in sculpting or anatomy either equine or human.

Soon after meeting my present husband Ray and his two children, I took the opportunity to start manufacturing my own sculptures, the earlier pieces came from my surroundings in the English countryside, for example busts of a Border collie and Swaledale Ram, Blue Faced Leicester sheep and a portrait sculpture of my father who had died 15 years

previously, holding a lamb, which has led to many portrait commissions. But it was Ray’s daughter that reawakened in me the passion for horses that I had experienced as a child, and through her influence I discovered the ethereal qualities of the Arabian horse.”

When asked about her main works, J. Anne Butler recalls: “The very first major work, a mixed media piece was a seveninch-tall figure of the Lord Mayor of London and you should have seen his look of astonishment when his look alike statue passed him during the annual parade. My first bronze, “Out of the Desert” a pyramid with a different bas relief Arabian horse / culture tableau on each side has a special place in my heart. I like to push boundaries, tell a story with my art and hopefully make a lasting impact in my clients’ lives.

I have a series of bronzes exploring the relationship between girl and horse which speak to me in profound way. Creating

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my first life size or rather larger than life bronze was special in that the technical challenges were rewarding. I love all my bronzes just some a little more than others!”

In 2001 J. Anne Butler and her husband Raymond Tweedie moved to Arizona. Prior to that they had travelled to the United States three times a year to exhibit Anne’s cold cast porcelain statues at Arabian horse shows. They live outside Scottsdale, which is said to be the Arabian horse capital of the 46 • Desert Heritage Magazine

world. There they own an acre of Sonoran Desert, which they have transformed into their “English Country Garden”, a green lush oasis. J. Anne Butler sculpts her bronzes watching the native wildlife and the exotic lovebirds that recently joined their menagerie. The production of her bronzes takes place at three bronze foundries, one in Arizona and two in Utah. There are no limits in size or subject matter their team can cast in bronze. Regarding her preferred medium she remarks: “When I started producing my sculptures, I worked

in cold cast porcelain personally hand painting each piece, now I enjoy working in bronze preferring the strength of the metal and the challenge of bringing it to life.”

J. Anne Butler very much enjoys visiting Arabian horse stud farms and shows: “I have been privileged to spend time with some of the finest horses in the world and forge lasting friendships with many influential Arabian horse breeders”, she ponders. “I get inspiration for my work from many sources.

Like an especially beautiful horse, maybe a poem, a photo, the beauty of nature. The list is endless but they all have the ability to speak to my soul. I love old masters, my favourite is probably Leonardo Da Vinci because of the vast spectrum of his talents and abilities plus he was so far ahead of his time.”

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She continues: “About Arabian horses I am fascinated by their beauty, power, the almost spiritual quality and their culture and background. My other interests besides art and horses are nature, music, and gardening. People are my passion: and hoping I can make a positive contribution to those around me whether I ever actually meet them or they are friends or clients in distant parts of the world.”

Currently, J. Anne Butler’s art can be found in private, public and corporate collections in 37 countries. Among her clients were for example HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as well as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman, Sarah, Duchess of York, England, Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Watts, Halsdon Arabians, U.K. and Ms. Bo Derek, USA as well as the late Mr. Patrick Swayze, USA. Already at the beginning of her career, J. Anne Butler executed specialized projects for various clients including Walt Disney and Schmidt and Enesco. She has also contributed to several major charitable organisations.

Asked about her plans for the future, J. Anne Butler responds: “I would like to sculpt in bronze a large-scale desert scene tableau incorporating as many aspects of Arabian culture as possible; the horses, camels, birds and wildlife epitomizing their relationships to the people of the desert. The diversity of my friends and clients is staggering, their lack of uniformity a joy, yet they are a shining example to all. My profound hope is that no matter who you are, where you live, your status or culture that you can relate to your fellow men in a positive caring manner.” q

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Giacomo Capacci Arabians

S TA L L I O N S I S A LWAY S B E E N O U R T H I N G . . .

S T R A I G H T E G Y P T I A N S TA L L I O N S O N E O F O U R S P E C I A LT Y. . .

Standing at Giacomo Capacci Arabians / Italy +39 (0) 575 17 87 099 / giacomo_arabs@yahoo.com / www.giacomocapacciarabians.com

STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN

Giacomo Capacci Arabians © Nawaf Al Johani

A L A Y A L A A (Al Ayad x The Vision HG)

2008 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

A L W H A I D E L D I N E (Salaa El Dine x Gioia APS)

© Gigi Grasso

2012 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

Standing at Giacomo Capacci Arabians / Italy +39 (0) 575 17 87 099 giacomo_arabs@yahoo.com / www.giacomocapacciarabians.com

STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN

Giacomo Capacci Arabians © Alessio Azzali

E Z Z A L D A N A T (Shamekh AlDanat x Shalwa)

2014 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

M A G N O H (Al Lahab x KZ Sundus)

© Glenn Jacobs

2020 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

Standing at Giacomo Capacci Arabians / Italy +39 (0) 575 17 87 099 giacomo_arabs@yahoo.com / www.giacomocapacciarabians.com

STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN

Giacomo Capacci Arabians © Alessio Azzali

N A S E E M A L R A S H E D I A H (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Nabaweyyah Ezzain) 2014 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

S H A H E E N A A (Al Ayal AA x Saniyyah RCA)

© Alessio Azzali

2015 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

Standing at Giacomo Capacci Arabians / Italy +39 (0) 575 17 87 099 giacomo_arabs@yahoo.com / www.giacomocapacciarabians.com

STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN

Giacomo Capacci Arabians © Alessio Azzali

S M B A R I Q (Sameh Al Rayyan x Shawq Al Nasser)

2014 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

S A F E E R A L W A D I ( Majd Al Rayyan x Shawq Al Zobair)

© Glenn Jacobs

2013 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

Standing at Giacomo Capacci Arabians / Italy +39 (0) 575 17 87 099 giacomo_arabs@yahoo.com / www.giacomocapacciarabians.com

STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN

Giacomo Capacci Arabians © Glenn Jacobs

A N S A T A N I L E E C H O (Ansata Hejazi x Ansata White Nile) 1996 Straight Egyptian Grey Stallion

© www.desertheritagemagazine.com

Serenity Sonbolah If someone assures you that a horse flew, ask what color she was, and if you are told chestnut, then believe it.

When she flies under the sun, she is the wind....

Arab Proverb

*Serenity Sonbolah along with two of the other Sameh daughters in the Imperial program

n by Cynthia Culbertson photos by Gigi Grasso, Scott Trees, Judith Forbis, Johnny Johnston, Jerry Sparagowski, Richard T. Bryant and April Visel

I

n ancient Egypt, the 12, 1882 from her owner, a seasons corresponded with member of the Anazeh tribe the cycles of the mighty who had acquired her from the Nile river which brought life Ruwala Bedouin. It is likely and prosperity to the people that Rodania herself had been through its annual flood. The used for the original purpose of first season, akhet, was known the Arabian - as a war horse as the Inundation, when the -since she had a scar on her waters rose and flooded the land belly and chest attributed to a beginning in late June. The wound from a desert raid. Bint next season, the Emergence, Rissala (known as “Razieh” in known as proyet, was the time of Egypt) was purchased from plowing and cultivating, when the Blunt’s Crabbet Stud by the bounty of the land emerged the Egyptians, along with as precious seedlings rose from Bint Riyala. She is the dam the fertile soil. Shomu, the final of Yashmak, Kateefa, and season, was the Harvest. This Yaquota, each of which had a was a time to reap the benefits profound influence on modern of the annual flood, when Egyptian breeding. the wheat and barley in the fields were heavy with grain, The late 1960’s and early ensuring the Egyptian people ‘70’s were a time of landmark *Serenity Sonbolah at Imperial Egyptian Stud would have ample bread and importations from Egypt by beer for the coming year. The American breeders who sought living symbol of this season was the ear of grain, graceful to perpetuate this unique blood. Among these visionaries in form and heavy with life, whose name in Arabic is were Don and Judi Forbis who were living in Egypt at sonbolah. that time, and Doug and Margaret Marshall of Gleannloch Farms. Through a friendship with the Marshalls, Hansi In March of 1967, a chestnut filly was born at the Heck of Serenity Farms, then located in Canada, arranged Egyptian Agricultural Society’s El Zahraa Stud at Ein to purchase and import five mares in 1968. In the sand Shams, near Cairo. Ironically, she was born in the same paddocks of the EAO, the horses were not fat, sleek and time as the ancient Egyptian season of shomu, when the conditioned as we often see them in the modern show fields were golden with grain ready to be harvested. With world, and it took the eyes of a horseman to evaluate the her chestnut color, prancing with her tail held high and full young stock. Judi Forbis remembers walking through the of charm, it must have seemed natural to name her for the yearling lots of the EAO, along with the Marshalls and shaft of grain which represented life and prosperity to her their trainers, Tom and Rita McNair, as the youngsters homeland. were selected. “I had seen the young filly many times during my frequent visits to the EAO,” recalls Judi, “and she stood Sonbolah was the second foal of Bint Om El Saad, a out as unique - refined and graceful. Although to look at her Nazeer daughter bred by the Royal Agricultural Society then, in minimal condition, it was not easy to envision the who also produced the well-known EAO sire, Ikhnatoon. exceptional individual she would become when mature.”

Her sire, Sameh, was a grey stallion bred by the Inshass Stud. He was known for the smooth bodies and balance Destined to become a star in her new land, the young filly was of his offspring, and Sonbolah was no exception. In tail registered in North America as *Serenity Sonbolah. Under female she represented the Kuhailah Rodaniyah strain the ownership of Serenity Farms she competed against the through the Bint Rissala branch tracing to Rodania, best Arabians in the United States and Canada, earning a family greatly prized by Sir Wilfrid and Lady Anne twenty halter championships and the title of U.S. Top Ten Blunt. They had purchased Rodania in the desert on April Mare in 1970. It was in 1971, however, that *Serenity Desert Heritage Magazine • 63

Sameh (El Moez x Samira) represented the Saqlawi strain through the family of El Samraa. He was a sire of excellent broodmares, including *Serenity Sonbolah

Bint Om El Saad, foaled in 1958, was the dam of *Serenity Sonbolah and full sister to Rafica. She also produced the well-known EAO stallion Ikhnatoon by *Farazdac

*Serenity Sonbolah was captured in bronze by artist Karen Kasper who chose to sculpt her with head held high looking off into the distance, a pose characteristic of this great mare

Artist Karen Kasper posed with *Serenity Sonbolah at the unveiling of her sculpture in 1988. This is one of the last photos taken of *Serenity Sonbolah

Sonbolah made history as she was named unanimous U.S. National Champion Mare, the first straight Egyptian to do so. “In a strange twist of fate Hansi Heck sent her to Ansata to be cared for and looked after prior to the U.S. Nationals in Oklahoma,” recalls Judi Forbis. “That she and Ansata Ibn Sudan became stablemates, and both became National Champions that year, was a superb victory for the Egyptian horse - especially since the competition then was tough, and the classes huge.”

The young *Serenity Sonbolah (Sameh x Bint Om El Saad)

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*Serenity Sonbolah was one of those Arabian mares whose image remains forever etched in the memories of those who knew her. Photos did not do justice to her supreme elegance, and she was an example of Arabian type that transcends just a pretty head. While Sonbolah boasted the large nostrils

*Serenity Sonbolah exhibits her special style and grace

and eyes that are hallmarks of the Arabian breed, she did not have an extreme dish, but rather a longer and more refined face with fine skin and great quality. Her chestnut coat captured and reflected the rays of the sun, and was often adorned with dappling that emphasized her fine skin.

But it was her presence that captivated all who beheld her, including Doug and Barbara Griffith of Imperial Egyptian Stud. They purchased *Serenity Sonbolah in 1976 and she reigned as the “Queen of Imperial” until the end of her life.

Barbara, who has owned and bred many superb horses, still recalls the electrifying presence and remarkable courage of *Serenity Sonbolah, and her name remains the first which comes to mind when asked about her favorite horses.

After retiring from the show arena, *Serenity Sonbolah continued to influence Egyptian breeding around the world through her offspring. She produced a total of seven foals three bred by Serenity Farms, and the remainder by Imperial Egyptian Stud. Her first daughter, SF Bint Sonbohla, was sired by the *Morafic son *Khofo and was purchased by Imperial along with her dam, Inheriting her dam’s chestnut color, SF Bint Sonbohla was a champion mare who went on to produce eleven foals. She was the dam of Imperial Naseeb who won multiple Junior Championships and was a Scottsdale Top Ten colt. SF Bint Sonbohla’s daughter by Hossny, IES Sondusah, has been influential internationally, producing several daughters for Count Zichy-Thyssen of

Argentina, including ZT Jamdusah by Jamil, who is the dam of the influential young sire ZT Faa’iq. *Serenity Sonbolah’s second foal was another filly. A grey bred and owned by Serenity Farms, she was sired by their Nazeer son *SF Ibn Nazeer. Originally registered as SF Bint Ibn Nazeer in Canada, her name was changed to SF Sonbolah Tu in the United States. Another prolific broodmare, she is the dam of ten foals, several of which have bred on, including her daughters Serenity Sonbolaa and Serenity BT Khofo, both of which produced several horses for the Serenity breeding program.

Next was Imperial Dakheem, sired by the *Khofo son Serenity Osiris and bred by Serenity Farms. A grey gelding, he had an excellent career for Imperial Egyptian Stud as a performance horse, winning championships in both English Pleasure and Pleasure Driving, including regional and Buckeye honors. Imperial Biarritz, the first of *Serenity Sonbolah’s foals bred by Imperial Egyptian Stud, was sired by the *Ansata Ibn Halima son Hossny. Named for the world-famous holiday resort on the Basque coast of southwest France, Imperial Biarritz was a Reserve Champion Stallion as well as both a Dressage Champion and Regional Show Hack Champion. He is the sire of twenty foals, about half of which have bred on.

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ZT Faa’iq, a former European Junior Champion and an outstanding young sire, traces in tail female to *Serenity Sonbolah.

He is owned by Al Rashediah Stud (Kingdom of Bahrain)

The next foal out of *Serenity Sonbolah was a grey filly named Imperial Sonbesjul. Also sired by Hossny, she is the dam of the Egyptian Event winner and Reserve Junior Champion filly Imperial Im Silana, as well as the beautiful stallion Imperial Al Kamar. Sired by El Hilal, Imperial Al Kamar was a Sweepstakes Champion as a yearling, and continues to be an influential sire at Imperial, producing multiple champions for the farm and its clients.

$345,000 as a two-year old. Like the other Sonbolah daughters, Sonboleen was a prolific broodmare, producing twelve foals, including the Junior Champion colt PVA Sonbali. In 1994 Imperial Sonboleen was sold to the Woodward’s of England, and she produced three foals for them before her death. Imperial Sonbolara, the last foal of *Serenity Sonbolah, produced three foals for Imperial before her death in 1991.

The last two foals of *Serenity Sonbolah were fillies sired

by Moniet El Nafis, a stallion linebred to the great Moniet el Nefous. The first, Imperial Sonboleen, made history as the high selling horse at the Pyramid Society Sale, bringing

Today, *Serenity Sonbolah continues to influence the Imperial breeding program, primarily through her grandson, Imperial Al Kamar, who has proven to be an exceptional sire. Imperial also gives credit to Sonbolah,

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as well as their other Sameh daughters, for the strong hindquarters and drive from the hocks that are an important part of their breeding program. Through the many offspring of her daughters, the blood of *Serenity Sonbolah is now found in almost every country which has significant breeders devoted to the straight Egyptian.

A mare of rare quality and beauty, *Serenity Sonbolah also exemplified a definitive attribute of the Arabian breed courage. Her wars were not the skirmishes of a distant desert, but rather internal battles against horrific injury and pain, which she consistently overcame with dignity and grace. When she could fight no more, she was laid to rest at Imperial Egyptian Stud near the gate to the stallion paddock where generations of colts and stallions carrying her precious heritage pass each day. If those who were privileged to know *Serenity Sonbolah close their eyes to remember, they can see her still. Proud and regal, she looks into the distance, seemingly filled with a secret knowledge of a place she had not yet been. The poem of Yazid, written centuries ago, is a perfect testament to such a mare, revealing the desire of her distant gaze: “She is one of those steeds of race that stretch themselves fully in their gallop, springing and light of foot, pressing on in her eagerness: her longing is the far-extended desert, plain giving unto plain”. q

Imperial Al Kamar (El Hilal x Imperial Sonbesjul) represents the damline of *Serenity Sonbolah.

ZT Mirqaash, a mare by Imperial Madheen out of ZT Jamdusah, demonstrates the elegance and power of the *Serenity Sonbolah family

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Memories of Serenity Sonbolah She was such a personality - so proud! After she was injured (her leg was fractured in an accident) you might have expected her to take it easy when we presented her. But as soon as she saw people around the arena’s edge, her tail went up and she’d start trotting, snorting, blowing, and showing off. Afterward she might limp to her stall, but she certainly wasn’t going to let that interfere with the show!

Barbara Griffith

I first saw *Serenity Sonbolah when she was named U.S. Top Ten mare in 1970. I thought she was gorgeous and people all around the arena were talking about that “chestnut mare”. It didn’t seem possible that she could be more breathtaking, but when she came back to compete the following year, her presence was even more extraordinary, and she owned the ring the moment she trotted in the gate.

You knew she was the winner - she had an energy and magnetism that drew your eye to her. It is also interesting that Bob Hart, who showed her, was not a flamboyant halter trainer. He simply let her be the star and she showed herself. *Serenity Sonbolah was a very balanced mare, and while horses then were not shown with the exaggerated poses of today, when she stood, she had a natural tightness and smoothness of body. She didn’t simply walk, but carried herself with the regality of a queen, and when she stopped and stood still, she raised her head and looked off in the distance, as if she were gazing at something one thousand miles away.

Steve Diamond

Seeing the still photos of *Serenity Sonbolah it is hard to realize the impression she made in real life. This mare had an electrifying presence and charisma like no other horse I have ever known. As soon as she had an audience the tail went up over her back, her head raised to its highest level, and she would prance and snort (we referred to it as the “Sameh” snort) and put on her show. She would then walk over to the audience for her expected treats that were always forthcoming. Sonbolah had a very strong sense of self and a character to match. Even in her last days, always in pain and badly crippled, she held an awareness of her

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place on our farm. We had just built a new mare barn, light and airy with an adjoining sand paddock that we felt would be perfect for Sonbolah. We couldn’t wait to move her into her new quarters, but Sonbolah had other ideas. She had been in her new stall only a couple of days when she saw her chance as her stall door had been left half-opened. While I turned to pick up a halter she escaped, and moving amazingly quickly for her condition, headed straight for her familiar stall in our old barn. She had her way and we acceded to her preference.

Beverly Sziraky

*Serenity Sonbolah was a mare that captured your heart.

More than her outward physical beauty, there was an inward loveliness of spirit that set her apart.

Judith Forbis

She had an incredible courage. When I first walked in her stall she had been foundered for many years, but she never let you know it. Her presence made me literally stand back against the wall. She exuded strength and courage, almost lion-like, yet feminine and I believe her nobility and her heart helped her deal with her physical pain.

I was commissioned to sculpt Sonbolah in 1988 by a group of Barbara Griffith’s friends and went in February of that year to do my study. The sculpture was a secret, so as I was doing my study everyone was on the lookout for Barbara in case they had to hide me and my sculpting tools. I did want to see Sonbolah outside, however, so I could watch her move freely. Due to her condition it was explained that we could not get her excited because her feet were so bad and she was in considerable pain. I promised to be very quiet and not get her excited in any way. She was walking slowly and carefully when I took the first photo for my study. With the initial flash and click of the shutter she froze and her head went up high. At the second and third flash her head went higher and higher. Suddenly she began to trot proudly with her tail over her back. Everybody went running after her, but she refused to be caught until she had shown off for her audience!

Elegance

Smoothness

Power

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A mare of exceptional balance, *Serenity Sonbolah was the unanimous U.S. National Champion Mare in 1971, and the first Straight Egyptian to earn that title

We unveiled the sculpture of *Serenity Sonbolah in October of that year at Imperial. Afterwards, I asked Scott Trees to take a photo of me with Sonbolah, as I realized she was one of the greatest mares I would ever know. When I was handed her lead rope, something very strange happened.

I felt like someone had hit me in the chest with a brick almost as if my heart had stopped. I immediately started to cry, as I knew this was the last time I would ever see this mare. I told Scott through my tears how important the photo was to me. He simply crunched his toe in the gravel and Sonbolah gave him her full attention. He took two photographs and left. When I begged him to take more he answered simply, “I got the picture.” Indeed, Sonbolah was put to rest early the next year and I never saw her again. And yes, Scott got the picture, which I will always treasure.

Karen Kasper 70 • Desert Heritage Magazine

I will never forget when I saw *Serenity Sonbolah for the first time at the U.S. Nationals in Oklahoma City. It was one of those “freeze-frame” moments that has remained forever in my mind.

Darryl Larson

© www.desertheritagemagazine.com

El Sareei A GIFT FROM THE ISLAND OF PEARLS

by Joe Ferriss z photos by Erwin Escher, Gigi Grasso, Irina Filsinger, Judith Forbis, Rick Van Lent Jr.

Visualize a paradise of intense color. Picture the sparkling sand along the aqua blue shores surrounding the Island of Bahrain, as off shore divers search for the beloved luminescent pearls so treasured as gifts. Bahrain has for centuries been noted for its pearls. The time is 1898 and galloping playfully in the intense sands is a little bay Arabian filly, of the Dahmah Shahwaniah family of the horses of Aissa Ibn Khalifeh, the ruling Sheykh of Bahrain. Bahrain has also long been noted for its splendid Arabian horses. This little bay filly would grow to become a pearl, gleaming long after her lifetime.

In the Arab world, gifts are not considered lightly. Such gifts symbolize the standards and dignity of the giver.

The above mentioned bay filly, as a blossoming 5 year old was chosen in 1903 by the Emir of Bahrain to be given to Khedive Abbas II, Egypt’s Khedive until 1914.

The young bay mare would later be named Bint El Bahreyn. Actually two mares were gifted but the fate of the other is unknown.

The Khedive was the older brother of famed Prince Mohamed Ali Tewfik, a renowned Arabian horse breeder himself. Fate however seems to offer twists at every turn. The Khedive had built up an impressive stable of Arabians but by 1907 seemed to be winding down his breeding operation. This meant that some of his prized Arabians would become available. By the Desert Heritage Magazine • 71

end of that year, Lady Anne Blunt had acquired Bint El Bahreyn for her Sheykh Obeyd stud in Egypt and it is under her ownership that the line begins as a family in Egyptian breeding.

In her journals, Lady Anne Blunt notes having seen both Bahrain gift mares. She indicates having a favorable overall impression of Bint El Bahreyn though in some details she was far from Lady Anne’s ideal, noting her to be a bit high on the leg, a rather long head and lopping ears. Lady Anne further commented that she was happy to have purchased the best one of the two, and delighted in having such authentic blood from Eastern Arabia.

interesting one to review. Two distinguished families are united here. His sire, Shahloul, is of the prized Ali Pasha Sherif - Saqlawi Jidran family of Radia from the Sheykh Obeyd stud in Egypt. Radia and her daughter Bint Radia were often revered as classic examples of Arabian beauty. Shahloul succeeded his sire, Ibn Rabdan, at the RAS and became an excellent progenitor of his dam’s magnificence through names which are now legend such as Moniet El Nefous, Bukra, Kateefa, and Maisa (sister to El Sareei). And of course the “pearl”, Bint El Bahreyn, is carried forward via El Sareei’s dam Zareefa, who also produced the above mentioned Maisa. In Zareefa’s pedigree, it is interesting to note the close lines to tribal breeding through the Abayyan Sharrak stallion Saadun acquired from the Muntifiq, and also Kazmeyn, who is line bred to Queen of Sheba from the Qumusa-Saba tribe. In fact 43% of Zareefa’s pedigree is from tribal stock acquired by the Blunts, not counting Bint El Bahreyn. In retrospect there is a kind of “genetic freshness” in El Sareei’s pedigree that makes him very useful to extend the linebreeding options at the RAS as well as into future generations of Egyptian Arabians.

But for just one foal, a filly, Bint El Bahreyn’s blood might otherwise have been lost. Her only issue was the bay filly Dalal (Al Hamra), foaled in 1910, by Lady Anne Blunt’s Jamil. Lady Anne Blunt was very pleased with this filly describing her as having a beautiful gazelle-like head. Only from Dalal flows any connection to this “island pearl” but it is a very significant line indeed.

Fortunately Dalal had two daughters, Durra, sired by Lady Anne’s stallion Saadun, and Bint Dalal, sired by Prince Mohamed Ali’s Kuhaylan Mimreh stallion For me personally, the photos Hadban. Durra founded a that I saw of El Sareei caused number of branches both male me to take notice of him. As one and female, but Bint Dalal is only reviews some of the images of Sire and dam of El Sareei, Shahloul represented through male lines. him, he was simply a magnificent and Zareefa RAS. There are many ways to unfold example of an Arabian stallion. photos from Forbis archives. the story for this family, but I am only choosing one tributary, that Judging from some good photos of Bint El Bahreyn’s male descendant, El Sareei. Often courtesy of Judith Forbis, it is easy to see his striking a male descendant can spread the influence of a family beauty both in overall form and in the details. Although wider than his female counterpart, yet sometimes is less most available photos of him were taken in old age there noticed. is still much to learn from Judi’s images. Though not extreme in any way, his head was one of good overall El Sareei was a bay stallion foaled in 1942 at the Royal quality and of correct proportions to his beautifully Agricultural Society stud in Egypt (RAS). He was sired shaped neck. His eyes were large, dark and prominent, by the great RAS sire Shahloul (Ibn Rabdan x Bint Radia) giving a compelling expression. His ears were nicely and out of Zareefa (Kazmeyn x Durra). His pedigree is an shaped. The width across the forehead was broad

72 • Desert Heritage Magazine

Rabdan El Azrak (Dahman El Azrak x Rabda)

Ibn Rabdan

Bint Gamila (Ibn Nadra x Gamila)

Shahloul

Mabrouk Manial (Saklawi II x Tarfa)

Bint Radia

Radia [Ghadia] (Feysul x Ghazala)

EL SAREEI • 1942 Bay Stallion • Dahman Shahwan

Kazmeyn

Sotamm (Astraled x Selma II)

Kasima (Narkise x Kasida)

Zareefa RAS

Saadun - D.B. Abayyan Sharrak of the Muntifiq

Durra

Dalal [Al Hamra] (Jamil x Bint El Bahreyn)

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Two descriptive images of El Sareei taken in old age. Judith Forbis photos.

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with appropriate tapering, past prominent tear bones, down the fore face joining large, well formed nostrils which would no doubt serve him well, expanding to take in needed air in a long gallop across the desert.

His jowls were large, round, strong and set wide apart, allowing lots of room for his windpipe, a feature more valued in the old days yet not seen as often in some of today’s breeding. Moving beyond the head, it is easy to appreciate his handsome overall silhouette. Most striking is the beautiful neck entering the shoulders at just the right point accented by prominent, crisply sculpted withers. Since he is advanced in age in most photos, it is understandable that his back would flow somewhat more curvaceous into his croup, which is terminated by a high set tail. The overall form is completed by refined, long legs of clean, flat bone. Some may want of more tendon, but there is an overall sense of harmony between strength and refinement.

So that is my just subjective impression from photos.

But what did others have to say who saw the horse in person? Judi Forbis gives us the greatest insight, in her book Authentic Arabian Bloodstock II. When General Von Szandtner was hired to manage the E.A.O. he developed a detailed hand written herd book with pedigrees, photos and descriptions of various breeding stock. During the 1960s, Judi Forbis photographed and hand copied each page of Von Szandtner’s herd books, recording the details, later offering much of the information in her book. By the time Von Szandtner reviewed El Sareei, he would have been a mature stallion. Von Szandtner notes: “...very noble, very noble head, lively large eyes, well set ears, good well-set neck, good withers, forward stretching soft back, good loins, good croup, high set tail, wide and deep, cannons tied in, pasterns a little bit long, sickel-hocked, very little walking on toes, sound sex organs, good movements.” Judi went on to include comments from Von Szandtner’s successor, Dr. Mohamed Marsafi who described El Sareei as: “structurally better than Shahloul but not as good a head. Height about 15 hands.” Then Judi, having also seen El Sareei on many occasions notes: “One of the most splendid and classic Arabians we had the pleasure to see. Beautiful head, well-balanced, prideful carriage, iridescent copper coat; a magnificent specimen of the breed. A good broodmare sire.” She also noted in other

of her books that he was typical of the Bint El Bahreyn line having excellent movement.

How do we evaluate him as a sire? Judi Forbis commented that he never sired his equal but was a great broodmare sire. Because he was such an impressive soul himself, it would have been a tall order to repeat in any quantity, since so very few stallions can do this, but without question his daughters reveal a wonderful weave of his influence in contemporary Egyptian breeding.

Numerically, El Sareei sired 42 foals over a nine year period from 1955 to 1964. Of these 37 were straight Egyptian and 5 were descendants of Mr. T. B. Trouncer’s imported Skowronek son Registan. It is a respectable number of get for a horse at his point in history. As it turned out, El Sareei was predominantly a sire of females. It seems logical that El Sareei had little choice but to become a broodmare sire since only 7 of the 37 straight Egyptian get he sired were stallions. Only two of these stallions have bred on to the present within straight Egyptian lines.

The 1961 bay stallion Asfour EAO (x Ghandoura El Saghira) has but a handful of descendants, but the other El Sareei son, Tuhotmos, a 1962 bay stallion (x Moniet El Nefous) became an extremely popular sire. He was used considerably in Egypt before being exported to the U.S. at the age of 11. His get that remained in Egypt became influential there. Several of his get were exported to Europe where they made a significant impact. His heavy use in the U.S. made him a premier source of El Sareei blood. In America, Tuhotmos became a sensation. Having seen him on a number of occasions, he certainly made me take notice. Though he was smaller than his sire, Tuhotmos was an artist’s inspiration for his dry, refined beauty, and he was an extremely charismatic horse who must have come close to repeating his sire’s charm. He was so charming in fact that his lifetime number of foals is 427, found in many countries. Tuhotmos is worthy of a separate article so I will not cover him in detail here, but suffice it to say that he is a very significant source of El Sareei blood.

However, the daughters of El Sareei have so much to do with carrying on his legacy. The chart at right shows 25 of his daughters that have produced straight Egyptian foals. Only three daughters, Zahia II, Bint Kawthar,

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and Kareman are no longer found in Egyptian pedigrees today. Many of these El Sareei daughters have become very influential on Egyptian breeding internationally.

There must have been some excitement at the E.A.O. that August morning of 1955 when El Sareei’s very first foal arrived, a grey filly out of Galila (x Sid Abouhom), whose name became Zebeda. Pictures show her to be a pretty mare with a lovely head. She proved to be an exceptional broodmare. Zebeda is the dam of Shaker El Masri (x Morafic), a popular sire who went to Germany and France, siring 88 get including famed El Shaklan.

Zebeda is also dam of the exquisite Alifa (x Alaa El Din) whose daughter Kodwa (2 crosses to El Sareei) went to Switzerland and became a producer of champions.

Zebeda produced Zohair (x Alaa El Din) who stood at stud in Hungary and is found in Babolna pedigrees. It is interesting to note that both Alaa El Din and Morafic crossed very well with El Sareei daughters.

El Sareei’s next foal was Malacha. Her dam Moheba (x Sid Abouhom) was exported to Germany in foal to El

The iridescent copper bay color of El Sareei gleaming in the Egyptian sun. Judith Forbis photo.

76 • Desert Heritage Magazine

Sareei producing Malacha. As it turned out Malacha became the only tail female line to Halima, renowned as the dam of the beloved Ansata Ibn Halima. While Malacha was not exotic by today’s standards she is a fine example of why El Sareei was such a good broodmare sire. Malacha’s two beautiful daughters Moheba II and Malikah both by Gazal (Nazeer x Bukra) have created a legend producing so many excellent and classic Arabians. In honor of the extraordinary influence of these two mares, many of their descendants are named beginning with the letter “M”, much like Rodania of the past was referred to as the “R” family. Either way, it shows the tremendous regard that descendants of Malacha have earned internationally. With Malikah having 13 straight Egyptian foals and Moheba II having 12 straight Egyptian foals this family is one of the most prominent in history. Accordingly, the very long list of international show winners connected to Malacha is astounding, even to this day some carrying as many as 10 or more crosses to her.

Zebeda and Malacha alone were impressive examples of El Sareei daughters but his third daughter, Bint Kamla (x Kamla by Sheikh El Arab) adds considerably to his deserved legacy. She produced 2 sons by Morafic, El Badi and Shaarawi. Both became E.A.O. sires with the popular Shaarawi being most heavily used, producing 51 foals. Bint Kamla produced two daughters

by Alaa El Din, Lutfia and Nazeema. Lutfia was exported to Hungary and then to Germany where she became an excellent broodmare producing 12 foals for Babolna and 4 for Dr. Nagel. Lutfia’s foals include the beautiful and mystifying “Gala” Ibn Galal 1-7, U.S. National Top Ten mare, and the striking stallion Nejdy (x Salaa El Dine). Bint Kamla’s other daughter Nazeema went on to produce a number of important sons, including the very charming Misk (x Wahag), a sire in Egypt, and the handsome mahogany bay Nizam, a double Bint Kamla grandson, exported to Germany and later to Israel.

It is remarkable how sometimes when a mare only q produces one foal it can have the impact of ten. Such was the case for El Sareei’s next daughter, Rida (x Rouda by Sheikh El Arab). She produced only one foal, a daughter named Hosna in Egypt (x Ibn Maisa).

Hosna was exported to the Babolna stud in Hungary, and later to Germany. She produced 13 foals. Her

Straight Egyptian Daughters of El Sareei who have produced Egyptian foals: Name Zebeda Malacha [exp. to Germany] Bint Kamla Bint Shams [exp. to U.S.] Rida Zahia II Rashida Mohga Kismat / Bint Dahma [exp. to U.S.] Bint Nefisa I [exp. to U.S.] Salomi / Salomy [exp. to U.S.] Hagir Bint Samia Bint Kawthar Bint Hanaa [exp. to U.S.] Abeer [exp. to Germany] Set El Wadi Amani Shook [exp. to U.S.] Korima Kareman [exp. to Morocco then Spain] Anzar / AK Anzar [exp. to U.S.] Ramza Thouraya I Izees [exp. to U.S.]

year & color 1955 grey 1955 bay 1956 chestnut 1956 grey 1956 bay 1956 bay 1956 bay 1956 black 1956 chestnut 1957 bay 1957 grey 1957 grey 1957 bay 1959 bay 1959 bay 1960 chestnut 1962 bay 1962 grey 1962 grey 1962 grey 1962 bay 1963 bay 1963 grey 1963 grey 1964 bay

Dam (sire x dam) Galila (Sid Abouhom x Rouda) Moheba (Sid Abouhom x Halima) Kamla (Sheikh El Arab x Samha) Shams (Mashaan x Bint Samiha) Rouda (Sheikh El Arab x Fasiha) Zaafarana (Balance x Samira RAS) Yashmak (Sheikh El Arab x Bint Rissala) Yosreia (Sheikh El Arab x Hind) Dahma II (Nazeer x Futna) Nefisa (Balance x Helwa) Malaka (Kheir x Bint Bint Riyala) Kamar (Nazeer x Komeira) Samia (Nazeer x Malaka) Kawthar (Mekdam x Bint Karima) Hanaa (El Belbesi x Hind IOHB) Absa (Gassir x Zahra RAS) Mamlouka (Nazeer x Malaka) Nazeera (Nazeer x Malaka) Rayana (Ezzat x Rateeba) Bint El Bataa (Nazeer x El Bataa) Lateefa (Gamil III x Salwa) Hanaa (El Belbesi x Hind IOHB) Shahbaa (Hamdan x Shahd) Rayana (Ezzat x Rateeba) Ghariba (Aboud x Gharbawia)

Egyptian foals 10 foals 6 foals 4 foals 6 foals 1 foal 2 foals 2 foals 9 foals 11 foals 11 foals 4 foals 6 foals 2 foals 3 foals 13 foals 9 foals 6 foals 5 foals 12 foals 10 foals 1 foal 8 foals 5 foals 12 foals 1 foal

The lovely Zebeda, first born daughter of El Sareei.

She became very influential throughout Europe.

Dam of Shaker El Masri, Alifa, Zohair and others.

Judith Forbis photo.

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Above and at right, two magnificent daughters of Malacha: Malikah, owned by the Filsinger Arabian Stud, and Moheba II, broodmare for Marbach, both sired by Ghazal. Irina Filsinger photo, left. Image at right from Judith Forbis archive.

Ghazal

Bukra (Shahloul x Bint Sabah)

Malikah and Moheba II

El Sareei (Shahloul x Zareefa)

Malacha

78 • Desert Heritage Magazine

Nazeer (Mansour x Bint Samiha)

Moheba (Sid Abouhom x Halima)

Prominent desendants of Malacha. Left is world renowned sire Imperial Madheen (Messaoud x Madinah). Rich in Bint El Bahreyn blood, he has two crosses to Malacha through Malikah plus one cross to the El Sareei daughter, Mohga, and he includes El Sareei’s full sister Maisa. Rick Van Lent Jr. photo. Below left is Ansata Majesta, two crosses to Malacha, one via Jamil (to Moheba II) and tail female to Malacha through Malikah.

Ansata Majesta is one of 5 full sisters by Ansata Halim Shah who have worldwide impact. Rick Van Lent Jr. photo. Below is Ashhal Al Rayyan, son of Ansata Majesta, a very successful Qatar show horse and a chief sire for Al Rayyan. He is the sire of Athenaa, 2008 Sharjah International Champion Mare and 2007 European Champion Mare-Verona. Gigi Grasso photo.

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At left is Bint Kamla (El Sareei x Kamla) and above is her famed son Shaarawi by Morafic. Shaarawi was an important sire at the EAO. Judith Forbis photos.

Classic Shadwan, a double Bint Kamla stallion, international champion and sire of champions.

Erwin Escher photo.

Misk, the charismatic son of Nazeema, and very popular sire at Shams El Asil Stud, Egypt. Forbis archive photo.

black son El Aswad (x Ibn Galal), became a popular sire with 125 foals to his credit. Hosna’s daughter, 27Ibn Galal-5, was exported to Australia as a two year old in 1977. She became a founding mare for Marion Richmond’s famed Simeon Stud. She was an Australian champion and dam of champions with generations of international champions continuing from this family.

27-Ibn Galal-5’s daughter, Simeon Safanad is famed as dam of international champion Simeon Shai, owned

by Silver Maple Farms, U.S.A., and Simeon Sadik, owned by Halsdon Stud in the U.K. 27-Ibn Galal-5 is not only a granddaughter of Hosna but she is also a granddaughter of another important El Sareei daughter,

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The international champion Simeon Shai (Raadin Royal Star x Simeon Safanad). Gigi Grasso photo.

the 1956 black mare Mohga (x Yosreia). With 9 foals, Mohga’s influence is far reaching. Mohga’s name was first introduced to Americans by her beautiful daughter Nahlah (x Morafic), who was many times a champion and crowd favorite. Later Mohga’s black son El Mokhtar (x Galal) arrived in the U.S. and played a role in the popular movie version of Walter Farley’s book, “The Black Stallion”.

In Europe two of Mohga’s sons were imported from Egypt: Meyhar (x Alaa El Din), and the handsome chestnut Ibn Galal, imported for Babolna, who in no time distinguished himself as a truly superior sire.

With 117 get to his credit, Ibn Galal is the sire of many

famous mares and stallions. It is interesting to note that Mohga’s black color is transmitted from generation to generation, largely through Ibn Galal who is not only in many European pedigrees but is also in the pedigree of the very heavily used U.S. stallions Simeon Shai and The Minstril, familiar sources of black and dark colors.

Mohga left sons and daughters in Egypt as well so she is certainly high among the influential daughters of El Sareei.

The blood of El Sareei was first introduced in America via the famed imports of Richard Pritzlaff who, in 1958, imported the bay Bint Nefisa (x Nefisa) and the

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chestnut Bint Dahma (x Dahma II). Because General Vonszandtner had selected these horses for Richard, they had become well regarded for their quality and were an integral part of the Pritzlaff breeding program for many years. Both were noted for their large lustrous eyes and deep jowls, like El Sareei, and contributed much to the Pritzlaff program. Bint Nefisa is remembered especially for her daughters Alfisa RSI (x Alcibiades), and the lovely big eyed Balmoniet RSI (x Monietor RSI), both of these mares being producers of the black color. Bint Dahma has a large family through both sons and daughters in the U.S. She is the dam of 11 foals, 10 of which have been quite prolific.

Four years later among the famed Gleannloch importations to the U.S., was the El Sareei daughter Salomy (x Malaka), in foal to Morafic, producing the show winning Saba El Zahraa. Her son Samim, by Ansata Ibn Halima, became a fine sire and her daughter Il Mandil (x Moftakhar) carries her line forward in America. Salomy is also the tail female line of Judith Wich’s Ansata Azali in Germany.

In 1968, H. J. Huebner imported the 9 year old El Sareei daughter, Bint Hanaa (x Hanaa) along with her 4 year old Morafic daughter, Gamilaa. Both of these mares became a part of Gleannloch’s breeding program and, along with the aforementioned Mohga daughter Nahlah, El Sareei blood became very successful in the U.S. National show ring. The versatile Nahlah was U.S. Reserve National Champion mare, as well as Top Ten Mare at halter, Top Ten English and Western Pleasure and Top Ten Native Costume. Bint Hanaa produced U.S. Reserve National Champion Mare Bint Bint Hanaa (x Morafic), a full sister to Gamilaa who also produced National winners.

Other El Sareei daughters imported to the U.S. include: Bint Shams (x Shams), Shook (Rayana), Anzar (x Hanaa), a full sister to Bint Hanaa, and Izees (x Ghariba). El Sareei get imported to the U.S. represents a total of 8 daughters and the aforementioned son, Tuhotmos, so a strong sampling of his blood reached North America. El Sareei’s daughter Amani (x Nazeera) produced Asadd, a striking liver chestnut stallion who was imported to the U.S. and later became U.S. National Champion Stallion as well as twice Top Ten National English Pleasure champion.

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Nahlah (Morafic x Mohga) Forbis archives.

Amani also produced JKB Mawaheb, imported to Germany and later leased to Ansata in the U.S. Europe not only benefited from the huge impact of the El Sareei daughter, Malacha imported there, but another El Sareei daughter was imported to Germany, Abeer (x Absa) where she produced 7 foals for Erich Hagenlocher. Two of her daughters foaled in Egypt later went to Europe, Bint Fayek (x Fayek) and Rasha (x Ibn Maisa), so Abeer’s blood is found in European Egyptian breeding.

Other El Sareei daughters who are influential in Europe include: Set El Wadi (x Mamlouka), dam European imports Ghroub (x Galal) and Ibn Mourad (x Mourad); Korima (x Bint El Bataa), dam of European imports Wafaa (x Nasralla), as well as JKB Belkies, Sawsan, and Bint Korima, all by Galal. The El Sareei daughter Rashida (x Yashmak), produced Nazic (x Morafic) and Gubran (x Alaa El Din) who have progeny imported to Europe.

In Egypt, El Sareei’s daughter Ramza (x Shahbaa) produced some impressive get by Alaa El Din, again affirming the successful cross of Alaa El Din on El Sareei daughters. These include the stallions Anas

and Ibn Alaa El Din, and the exquisite chestnut mare Safinaz (x Alaa El Din) who became a much admired broodmare at the E.A.O. She is noted as the dam of Imperial’s U.S. import, Ibn Safinaz. The El Sareei daughter Hagir (x Kamar) produced the very classic Akhtal, a chief sire at the E.A.O., and a favorite of mine for his beautiful, carved ivory like appearance. He sired 55 Egyptian foals, most retained in Egypt, but many were also exported to Germany, North America, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. For sentimentality, it is heart warming to see descendants of Bint El Bahreyn come full circle to the Bahraini shores where she once must have roamed.

I was always enamoured by the photos of El Sareei and the descriptions of him, but I never really realized the impact that he has had on Arabian breeding until I undertook this little study of his influence which I enjoy sharing with the readers. Just for fun I took a look at some recent international show winners to see what role El Sareei played in the background of their breeding.

The chart at the left is a small sampling but gives the reader a little feel for his connection to successful Arabian breeding even to this day, some 66 years after his birth.

The deep, dark eyes of El Sareei. Photo taken in old age.

Judith Forbis photo.

So the story of El Sareei is a modest one actually. He was a very special individual who gave us a wealth of daughters and an influential son, each with their own role in the journey for the perfect classic Arabian horse.

He did not dominate his get with his own look, in “cookie-cutter” fashion, but rather he imparted them with a better job to do, that of producing a more classic Arabian in generations to come. So the next time you look into the deep, dark eyes of a classic Arabian in whose veins flows the blood of El Sareei, perhaps you will see his reflection. And if you look further into those deep dark eyes, perhaps you will see a beautiful pearl of a dark bay filly, playing on the sparkling sandy shores, against the aqua blue sky in 1898, destined to be the bearer of gifts from Allah - the Arabian horse we hold dear. q

Special thanks to Judith Forbis, Gigi Grasso, Irina Filsinger, Erwin Escher, Rik Van Lent, Jr. and the Pyramid Society for their artful images provided in illustrating this feature.

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HOME OF SELECTED STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN ARABIAN HORSES IN UMBRIA

MARE POWER AT

TRE BALZANE STUD ~ ITALY

NATURAL IS THE NEW BEAUTY L’allevamento Tre Balzane, fondato quasi 30 anni fa nel centr’Italia, in Umbria, pratica l’allevamento di cavalli in stile tradizionale, conseguendo successi che non hanno nulla a che fare con il caso. Ci assumiamo la responsabilità per i nostri cavalli, perche abbiamo imparato che tutto ciò che diamo ai nostri cavalli, essi ce lo restituiranno: soltanto un cavallo felice è un cavallo bello.

Tre Balzane Stud was founded almost 30 years ago in the Umbria region of Central Italy, Here, horse breeding is done the traditional way and when it yields successes, they are not just accidental. We take responsibility for our horses, as we have learned that whatever we give to them, they will return: only a happy horse is a beautiful horse.

www.straightegyptians.it

TB HEBA (NK Sharaf El Dine x TB Hasna) Obayan strain. *2011 In foal to NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH

TB HEBA (NK Sharaf El Dine x TB Hasna

by KEN Mahbub) Obayan strain. *2011 In foal to JAMIL AL RAYYAN

TB MUNEERA (TB Hafid El Nil x Mia Mouna

by Salaa El Dine) Siglawy Jedran strain. *2014 In foal to NABEEL AL KHALED

HOME OF SELECTED STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN ARABIAN HORSES IN UMBRIA

TB HELWA (Ibn El Nil x TB Hasna by Ken Mahbub) Obayan strain. * 2009

HANAYA MAALIHA (Laheeb Al Nasser x Maali Masira

by Mishaal HP) Kuhaylan Rodan strain. * 2016 In foal to JAMIL AL RAYYAN

Photos: Joanna Jonietz - Graphic design: Mario Brunetti

In foal to JAMIL AL RAYYAN

www.straightegyptians.it

TB HEJAZIYA (Ramses x TB Hasna

by KEN Mahbub) Obayan strain * 2007

SF SHAADIA (Ansata Shaamis x HS Marisi

by Simeon Sadik) Dahman Shawan strain *2008 In foal to NK NIZAM

TB

TRE BALZANE STUD

MONIKA SAVIER 06044 Castel Ritaldi, Umbria - ITALY Mobile +39 335 5235135 e-mail: savier@arabi-egiziani.it Stud manager: Elisabeth Auer +39 346 9818427

HOME OF SELECTED STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN ARABIAN HORSES IN UMBRIA

TRE BALZANE STUD ~ ITALY AMOUN TALIA Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Taysouna

by Maysoun) Dahman Shahwan strain. *2017 In foal to NABEEL AL KHALED

We are happy to announce that Amoun Talia will join the Straight Egyptian breeding program of

AL ARAB AL MOSAUMAH STUD in Jerusalem, Israel, owned by MOHAMMED MUSTAFA ALYAN

HOME OF SELECTED STRAIGHT EGYPTIAN ARABIAN HORSES IN UMBRIA

TRE BALZANE STUD ~ ITALY

INSHA SAFRAHNA (Miad Al Shaqab x Simeon Sarice by Imperial Madaar) Hadban Enzahi strain. *2015 In foal to NABEEL AL KHALED

Our mare Insha Shabila will become part of the noble Straight Egyptian mare herd of

AL MURAD STUD

owned by the Italian Art Collector MAURIZIO MORRA GRECO

© www.desertheritagemagazine.com

Herbs for Horses

by Domenico Bergero, Cynthia Préfontaine photos by Gigi Grasso, Javan

In the last years, herbal products underwent a great increase of their distribution both in the human and veterinary medicine, particularly in the horse market. This fact can be ascribed to different factors: a sort of growing suspicion in the use of traditional drugs and an increase in the horses’ health perception. For this reason nowadays is worldwide diffused the use of a great variety of products, mainly dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, containing herbal products or extracts essentially claimed to enhance horses’ welfare and increase performances.

In human and veterinary medicine there is an increasing interest to find new natural substances, mainly herbal derivates, that improve biological function and increase the body health.

Herbs are considered a very important resource as healthpromoting substances. The idea of using special vegetable based foods and other plant material for health promotion is nothing new. Hippocrates (400 B.C.) is reported to have said “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”. However the concept that herbal supplement are natural and - then - safe is fallacious. A presumption of safety derives from a history of exposure to the agent

90 • Desert Heritage Magazine

as a part of normal diet or a part of long-term practice.

Several factor are believed to contribute to the increasing trend of herbal utilization: the owner desire of being an active part in horse’s care, the easy accessibility on the supplement market and the perception that herbs are safer because natural is synonymous of welfare.

Nowadays a large number of natural products, with varying structures and different mechanisms of activities, have been reported and hundreds of phytochemicals have been identified, even if studies on how this compounds act have just begun. More and more evidences have been produced about the importance of studying herbal products to identify their real effect and, more important, the absence of undesired side effects. In fact there is a lack of specific legislation that regulates the classification, marketing and safety evaluation of animal herbal supplements.

The absence of common regulatory control over herbal products have two effects: from one hand, it is hard to recognize good products from others that are of very poor quality; from the other, the consumer could be sometime exposed to the risk of intoxication.

Panazq Ginsengs

Uncaria

Schisandra Chinensis Schisandraceae

Uncaria Tomentosa

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Plants uses

Apart of the use of ready-to -use supplements available on the market, it is possible to use fresh plants (them often), dry plants or mother tinctures (maceration of plants in cider vinegar or alcohol to extract active principles) that we can mix to the ration, the water or/and clay.

Herbal derivates can be offered to horses in different ways: - Mixed it in the food, or in the water. - Put less in the bowl at a time to be sure that your animal will drink or eat them comletely.

- Put directly in the months.

- Sprinkle on the hair on a accessible area on the animal where he is able to lick himself.

Manufacturing techniques We will list here a series of recipes on “how to prepare your own plant derivate”. Use these directions under the advice of a veterinarian.

Garlic mother tincture Fill a pot with 1⁄2 to 2/3 of chopped garlic.

Cover with apple cider vinegar till 1 inch from the top of the pot.

Keep in a dark and dry place and stir up often After 1 to 2 mouths maceration, filter.

Put back in a recipient and let it decants To bottom of the pot can be recycled for your personal needs as salad dressed.

Camphor oil 250 ml peanuts or olive oil (cold pressed) 2 to 4 squares of camphor (available in pharmacy) depending on your need Gently warm the camphor in a bit of oil (take an empty and clean conserve’s can to save your cauldron) When the camphor is melted, put the rest of thee oil and mix.

We use 4 squares if we want to warm. For example in case of arthritis, stretched ligament, etc. We use 2 squares to soften a cyst.

Insect’s hunter 1⁄2 ounce of laurel or cedar-tree essential oil 1⁄2 ounce of Mentha pulegium essential oil 1 ounce of citronella essential oil 5 ml of garlic mother tincture 12 ounces of sunflower essential oil Mix everything Vaporize over the animal or rub him for some days. This liquid stays on the animal many days.

Activated charcoal Ointment 1 part of olive oil 1 part of bee’s wax 1 part of activated charcoal 92 • Desert Heritage Magazine

some drops of pine or/and fir-tree essential oils For a sulphur ointment use to same recipe but put 1/2 part of sulphur instead of the activated charcoal.

Sulphur ointment 1 part of sulphur in powder 10 part of saindoux Stirrup strongly Indicated in case of scabies, fungi, wound or infections.

Sanguinaria canadensis - Bloodroot mother tincture For grave and chronic lung troubles 1 to 2 Sanguinaria roots, (about 2 tablespoons more then less) 26 ounces of gin Macerate 1 month before using it The root most stay in the gin Give mother tincture in water (20 cc one time a day directly in the mouth or in the ration).

Applied therapies for animals Immunity It is common opinion that sport horses are periled to different stress which can deteriorate the immune response. Immune system activity depends on several factors, such as nutrition and physical activity. In particular the protein depletion includes a loss of capacity of several essential functions of the immune system or the respiratory tract. Furthermore, strenuous or incorrect exercise has been recognized as a stressful condition, which can significantly alter the host’s immune response and its susceptibility to disease. If moderate training generally has beneficial effects on host defence mechanisms, high-intensity exercise and over-training might impair it.

Aging and travelling stress are also known to affect immune function. Older horses had reduced immune function, but were more resistant to exercise-induced immune suppression than younger horses.

Many herbal based products report as a claim on the label: “Improves immune system”; most of them contain nutrients, e.g. vitamins, and herbal extracts such as Echinacea.

Echinacea is a flowering plants of the Asteraceae Family, native of eastern North America. The genus name is from the Greek echino, meaning “hedgehog”, a reference to the spiny central disk. The species traditionally used are: Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaf Coneflowe), Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower), Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower). Echinacea has been attributed the ability to boost the body’s immune system and protect the body against infections. The roots, the leaves or the whole plant may be used in the dietary supplement preparation.

Echinacea may be best know as an immuno-stimulant in healthy or in immuno-suppressed animals.

Herbs in respiratory diseases Herbs had been used to treat with success in treating chronic

Uncaria

Devil’s Claw

respiratory diseases in horses. Pearson reach to goal in 2004 as many before with a mix containing: Aillum sativum (garlic), Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset), Marrubium vulgare (white horehound), Sambucus nigra (Black Elder), Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop). Its obvious that a lot still needs to be done to know about all the mechanism involve in the process.

It is also well known, on anecdotic basis, that owners putting fir-tree branch on the floor of horses box to prevent or help the respiratory system healing process. It could be a nice suggestion to use when it when shipping or travelling with a horse. They really often have to face high humidity and/or dusty conditions.

Blood root mother tincture can also be really useful in case of serious and chronic respiratory diseases. The way to prepare it is this one: macerate for 1 mouth in 26 ounces of gin,1-2 blood-root roots.

Arthritis Taraxacum officinalis (dandelion), Harpagophytum procumbens (devil’s claw), Symphytum officinalis (comfrey), Arctium lappa (burdock), Urtica dioica (stinging nettle)

composed herbal abstract had been studied with successful results in osteo-arthritis.

Dermatitis Flaxseed (Linum usitatissinum) supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in the area of the lesions caused by subcutaneous culicoides extract injection in different studies.

Pain control Among helpful herbal extracts used during competition to increase horse welfare we note: Boswellia serrata, Harpagophytum procumbens, Equisetum arvense, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Oenothera biennis. Bromeline and cetyl-myristoleate can also have an important role in the inflammation control.

Joint safety Lameness is a big threatening illness for horses competing endurance, the possibility to use non-doping substances that can help in maintaining healthy joints. Alternative solutions find then is utmost importance. We can list here omega 3 fatty acid, glucosamine and others glycans, and methyl-sulpho-methane (MSM).

Desert Heritage Magazine • 93

Improving performance

Horse owners and trainers are always looking for substances that can improve the athletic performance in general.

One of the most widespread herbal product well known for its multipurpose use in the horse is garlic. Garlic is one of the first plant called “performance-enhancing” agents. In fact, garlic was fed to ancient Greek athletes before they competed, because it was associated with strength and work capacity.

Garlic is used as an ingredient or supplement in a number of feedstuffs. However, there are some preliminary studies that report garlic toxicity for horses. In particular horses consuming increasing amounts of freeze-dried garlic (FDG) had haematological findings that were indicative of Heinz body anaemia. Then, in absence of regulatory control over garlic inclusion rates it exits a potential risk for intoxication when commercial garlic products are used especially in particular condition such as debilitated horses.

Other products are promoted as multi-purpose performance enhancers and contain Schizandra chinensis. Schizandra bail (Schizandraceae family) is a plant that grows wild in far Eastern countries. It is used traditionally as adapting aid that is able to assist the normalization of body system function altered by stress rather than exerting a stimulatory effect. Schisandra exhibits a remarkable effect on the physical performance of race horses in particular on speed heart rate, quick recovery respiratory frequency and lower lactate values. Furthermore it accelerates the recovery of muscular metabolism.

Some “naturals” tools and their properties

Apple cider vinegar As clays and garlic, the cider vinegar has an important herbs supporter that you could use in many circumstances.

In term of mineral, it contains mainly potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S). As to vitamins it has: A,E,B1, B2, B6. It also contains essential acids.

The apple cider vinegar can be used as a de-worming agent, a depurator, anti-inflammatory (internal and external), adjuvant, anti-acid, anti-septic, re-mineralising agent, Ph equilibrator and arthritis fighter. It have been observed in England, in racing horse’s field, to increase energy, diminish stress and reinforcing tendon and articulations.

This vinegar can give a shiny, soft and healthy condition to the animal’s hairs and its mainly true for horses.

Ricinus oil, Edgar Cayce method This is used in many situations and it has users for example in: arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, diverticulitis, chronic constipation, endometriosis, firbrome, cysts, back pain and adherence’s healing process. By itself, the ricinus oil is an excellent heat conductor and an emollient (against irritation). It will increase blood circulation and moreover with heat source.

Saturate of oil a tissue, triple thickness, and apply a message 94 • Desert Heritage Magazine

directly on your animal. It’s possible to use the pure oil or a combination with essentials oil like eucalyptus (reduce inflammation), lavender (relaxing), thymus (tonic, antiseptic). A general recipe is: 4 parts ricinus oil added with 1 part of essential oil.

For animals, ricinus oils can also be camphorate with camphor oil to help warming and penetrating the skin (see a recipe below in manufacturing techniques). At this mixture add 250 ml of ricinus oil softly warmed and use it for specific needs. It can be trustily used for many mouths.

Activated wood coal

The activated wood coal properties are: cleaner, absorbent, diarrhoea controller, antiseptic, anti- poison. For a horses, a suggested dosage can be, 1⁄4 to 1/3 cup, 1 to 5 time a day.

Activate wood coal could lead to dry up the milk of your animal. q

Properties of different herbs

Allium sativum - Garlic - Ail Garlic contains: calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), Sulphur (S), potassium (K), sodium (NaCl).

The garlic is: anti-septic, anti-cancer, antibiotic, anti-arthritic, stimulates the immunity, fight tiredness, is an anti-elmyntic agent. It neutralise and eliminate heavy metals in a proper way.

Mainly used to prevent or cure the digestive and respiratory systems. Give your horse garlic on is own form and integrated in the ration.

Equisetun arvense - Horsetail - Prêle Re-mineralising agent.

Juglans nigra - Black walnut - Noyer noir Fight worms and mycosis.

Urtica dioica In case of anaemia and blood depurator.

Taraxacum officinalis - Dandelion - Pissenlit Lever and kidneys cleaner. For an overweight animal: give 1 teaspoon of dry leafs in the ration, 2 times a week.

Thymus serpillus Useful to reinforce, support and stimulate immunitary system, lungs and intestines.

Capsella bursa-pastoris - Shepherd’s purse -Bourseà-pasteur Post haemorrhage use.

Gingko Diagonal

Caesar

Gingko

Desert Heritage Magazine • 95

BEIRUT HORSE RACING

MUST GO ON!

by Monika Savier

Photographies: Mohamad Azakir Layout: Mario Brunetti

Why is it so difficult to raise funds and acquire donations for the survival of the Beirut Racecourse and the Arabian race horses?

In the spring of 2021, after the explosion in Beirut harbor, we set out to initiate a donation campaign – with international support by the TUTTO ARABI and DESERT HERITAGE magazines for Arabian horses – in support of the race horses that are at risk of dying, and of the people who work around them and are falling into ever deeper poverty. The racecourse in Beirut will soon have to close if races are coming to an end.

We thought that there are a lot of affluent breeders of Arabian horses, well off people with a love of animals, or prosperous stud owners out in the country who would not have much of a problem to donate quite a lot of money in order to be able to display their stud’s banner in the show ring or in media coverage. We thought that these people love Arabian horses because of the animals themselves, not just because of the opportunity they provide to showcase.

Donors Needed!

The Situation for the Arabian Horses of Beirut is Near to a Catastrophe.

Is There still Hope for the Hippodrome?

How Can the Horses Survive?

by Monika Savier Photographies: Monika Savier, Press Archive Beirut

96 • Desert Heritage Magazine

CALL FOR SUPPORT FOR THE ARABIAN HORSES IN BEIRUT

“When on the edge, attitude is what counts”

Yes, it’s true that Lebanon as a state is living on the edge; it is also true that the amount of corruption and mismanagement among the political class causes desperation among the population that is hit by it; AND that the social networks of the Horse Industry are shocked by it as well. And still, what I hear from most when asked for a donation: who knows what will happen with my money?

Maybe the racetrack cannot be saved anyway and the money will be lost?

Thankfully the 100-year-old racetrack, a multicultural arena that has always been a bridge during religious and ethnic conflicts, can be saved! The people and the horses who give their all to preserve the culture of racehorse breeding and riding, and to entertain the audience, they can be saved. The main thing is to keep the races going, as this will give the people active horse lovers living there a sense of purpose, and of joy in getting up early to train horses; they will have an aim, something to live for which even guarantees a small income.

For all these reasons, it does not matter whether the 200 or so horses that are still on the racetrack and being trained are WAHO Arabians or “Lebanon Arabians” or even Anglo-Arabians. It is about preserving a culture, indeed a tradition that is 2000 years old in Lebanon, and where all the protagonists are equally important, including all the people around them.

Each and every cent donated up to now was used directly for racing, as this report about the first racing day of the year makes clear. At last, general manager Nabil Nasrallah was able to pay for the jockeys’ accident insurance. Even if the present donations did not amount to a lot of money, this sum was enough to raise hopes for better times. What is needed for the better times to become reality is more donations and support. If there was a racing day at least once a month, providing prize money from out of a pool of donations, that would be a tremendous success for everybody. And a tremendous opportunity for the Horse Industry to show their social colors, to extend their hand to horses and humans in the midst of crisis – for as the adage goes: “When on the edge, attitude is what counts”.

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THE ARABIAN RACE HORSES OF LEBANON

HOW TO DONATE Attached here is the form with all the sponsoring details and the special visibility you will have with your support, in addition to the bank details for donations.

Every single money transfer counts. You can donate any amount, even a small one starting from 50$, or you can donate a race for 1000$ or even a race day with 5 to 6 races (5000$).

Helping is a win–win situation for both sides, as taking action with a donation directly translates into hope for the racehorses in Beirut, while at the same time creating visibility for your own stud or business.

Here are the special bank account details: SPARC SP ARCA BANQUE LIBANO-FRANÇAISE S.A.L. Iban: LB42 0010 0000 0017 8654 2300 1840 Swif wift:t: BLFSLBBX - Currency: USD Purpose: Donation SPONSORSHIP PROPOSITIONS fundraising@sparca.com

SPONSORSHIP T YPE

AMOUNT

DONATION DONA TION

STARTING $ 50

A RACE (SILVER) (SILVER)

$ 1000

A RACE DAY (GOLD) 5 TO 6 RACES

$ 5000

CHAMPIONS MAKING SPONSORING YEARLINGS

$ 200/MONTH 6 months in advance min 18 months

RETURNS TO SPONSOR ORIGINAL PHOTO OF THE RACECOURSE

BENEFITS OF YOUR GENEROSIT Y By donating, you will be helping the historical Beirut Racecourse to remain open and allowing WAHO and Lebanese Arabian horses to continue flourishing

- Race Title Naming - Trophy Featuring sponsor name/logo - Sponsor name /logo fea featured on the website and Local Media exposure - Original Photo of the winner with the trophy

By Sponsoring a race, you will generate enthusiasm between all actors of the race: the breeder eeder,, the owner wner,, the trainer ainer,, the jockey and the lad who will get a higher prize money and a trophy, as well drawing public and supporting the funding of racing through the official betting system.

- Race Title Naming - Trophy Featuring sponsor name/logo - Sponsor name /logo fea featured on the website and Local Media exposure - Backdrop featuring the Sponsor name/logo - Original Photo of the winners with the trophies

By Sponsoring a Race Day, you will generate enthusiasm between all actors of the races on that date: breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys and lads who will get a higher prize money and a trophy, as well drawing public and supporting the funding of racing through the official betting system.

- Selecting the Horse and Naming the Sponsor - Monthly progress report with picture and training video - Racing under own colours - Access to the stable, to training and to racing in VIP lounge - 30% of prize money (the remaining: 40% breeder eeder,, 30% SP SPARC ARCA)

By Sponsoring a Yearling you support two families and secure a horses ‘breed. Selecting your favourite between some 20 horses from differ different studs and pedigrees, financing his needs: livery, training costs, vet & farrier bills over at least 18 months within a monthly budget of 200$ you will thus grant a prof ofessional essional training to the horse, open a real chance of survival of the Lebanese Arabian breed and help support the families of the breeder and all those involved with the care and training of your horse. (trainer ainer,, grooms, vets, farriers, racecourse employees...)

CONT ONTAACT NABIL NASRALLAH, General Manager SPARCA - Po.Box 116/5518 Tel: +961 1 664200 +961 1 664302 - Mob: +961 3 377310 - Email: sparca.leb@gmail.com

A RACE DAY GIVES A STRONG SIGN OF HOPE FOR 2022 The Hippodrome du Parc de Beyrouth did breathe again! It was a strong sign of hope for us when on January 9th, 2022, five ladies from Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and Germany, all of them passionate about Arabian horses, took the initiative of sponsoring a whole race day. The event was brilliantly successful, and the real success was seen in the eyes of horse owners, breeders, horse trainers and jockeys, as this initiative revived in them the hope of a better tomorrow, better days for the Arabian Horses in Lebanon and everyone related to that world.

The fact there are still people who care, people that would take action, people that won’t accept the defeat, people that will strive to make a difference, this was the real success of that day.

We shall not stop, as what started as an initiative became an oxygen line everyone around the Arabian Horse in Lebanon is holding on to. If just five supporters together managed, with their contributions, to draw infinite smiles, and rebuild confidence in the hearts and minds of so many people that were about to lose hope, we are sure there are many more Arabian Horse lovers out there that realize how serious our situation is. We very much hope they will not hesitate to keep that oxygen line flowing strongly - making contributions of their own, making it possible for those horses to keep running. With all our gratitude

98 • Desert Heritage Magazine

Nabil Nasrallah General Manager of the Hippodrome du Parc de Beyrouth

“It was my pleasure to step in my father’s place as the owner of two winners in this magnificent racing day: SHADEN ridden by ADNAN in the first race, and FARAH EL EID also ridden by Adnan in the fifth race. Both 4year-old grey horses were trained by Marwan Dabbour, they both were the champions of their respective races, and are regarded as future sires. The joy of horse racing is something I have been exposed to since I was a child. It was a wonderful and exhilarating feeling to witness my horses at the starting gate and then see them racing till the finish line. My thanks go to all the people who made these sponsored reopening races possible, who offered us substantial prize money and trophies at a time when the racetrack is running a big risk to have to close down. They gave us a profound hope of continuity. For me, it was very important that in this case, it was women who got involved out of their passion for horses and horse racing, a sport which is still defined as masculine in our country.

Thank you, all you Ladies, for your support and contribution to the continuity of the Arabian Horse Breeding and Racing in Lebanon. We need many more to follow your example and support the Beirut Hippodrome.”

Sara Elias Zahras Owner, Beirut

“It was a great feeling to know that there are still people who care about this beautiful sport that gives me the incentive to wake up every morning at 4.00 am to do my job, especially when our country Lebanon is passing through a very hard economic crisis.

I wish to express my deepest thanks to the passionate donors hoping to see many more events like this one held at our Beirut Hippodrome at the beginning of the year 2022.”

Marwan Dabbour, Trainer “Support for the race track is essential to us, as without it, we cannot nourish our future plans or maintain our horse heritage - or even less, develop it on.

Our Hippodrome is our responsibility, it is our legacy and in it all ages are involved. For us, our Beirut Race Track is the true basis for this sport. We would love to see breeders and fans of Arabian horses from all over the world uniting in their quest to support the horses that are “Born to Run”.

Ali Ftouni, Fan, Beirut Dear World, Over the past 2 years, Lebanon has faced many problems such as the economic and financial crisis, the Beirut port blast, and the Corona pandemic. These issues influenced all private and public sectors. Businesses, social events, and sports activities are shutting down one after the other.

Faced with such problems, the Hippodrome of Beirut found itself struggling, unable to survive without sponsoring and external assistance. Which is why we want to say thank you for the enormous effort that was invested in the ”Ladies taking Action” event.

This sponsored first racing day in 2022 hast been a boost to us, inspiring a spirit of survival to the Arabian horse lovers as well as to all the neighborhoods. Finally, we were able to revive and open the 2022 horse racing season.

This approach motivated the sense of continuity. Jockeys took care of their fitness; horses were well trained to start a good challenging opening season 2022. The results as well as the rewards were highly appreciated. We hope that this event will shed light on a new hope for the continuity of the Arabian horse line now at risk.

It can be saved, but we need many people from all over the world to support us.

Sami Wardy Breeder, Beirut

Desert Heritage Magazine • 99

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“I hope other breeders and Arabian horse enthusiasts will follow and support the racetrack in Beirut.”

Winner SHADEN Nabil Nasrallah, Marwan Dabbour, Nabil de Freige, Adnan

MAYA JONES CEO of AL JABAL ARABIANS in Switzerland, is a long term lover and breeder of Straight Egyptian Arabians.

She is strongly supporting initiatives to sustain the Arabian Horse worldwide. May the future of the Arabian Horse in Lebanon and the racetrack in Beirut be ensured.

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“In 1972, when coming from Syria, I had the opportunity to travel to Lebanon. I got to know a great country and warm people.

Through my work with Arabian horses, I am still in contact with Lebanon and it hurts to see what has become of this beautiful country. My support for the racecourse in Beirut is a small gesture of thanks for the great hospitality I experienced there.”

Winner GHADDAR Nabil Nasrallah, Joseph Sehanoui, Nabil de Freige, Mohamad Kheireddine, Issam

ELISABETH AUER born in Austria, is Stud Manager of Tre Balzane.

She is a highly experienced horse trainer and equine physiotherapist. At the centre of her thoughts is the HORSE, not only as a sportsoriented creature to be trained and bred, but above all as an individual to be taken care of with high levels of professionalism as well as suitable and innovative methods.

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“We are happy we found a way to support the future of the Arabian Horses in Beirut and of all the people involved! I hope we can inspire even more people to engage in the support that is necessary for the survival of the Beirut Racecourse and the Arabian race horses, and also of the people who work there.”

Winner BAKLAWA Farouk Adam, Saadeddine Chatila, Wadih

SABINE LENS El Ladiva Farm in Belgium, of Paul Lamers and Sabine Lens, was founded no less than 30 years ago. They two of them have always wanted to live and work with Straight Egyptians, and they kept to this credo highly successfully, on the occasion of shows as well as in daily training and in their breeding work. Both of them know about working hard to finance their stud, and when there was the opportunity for Sabine Lens to sponsor a race in the Beirut Hippodrome together with other lady breeders, she did not hesitate even for a moment.

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Winner AL AMIR Hussein Hammoud, Farouk Adam, Wadih

“As I was born in Beirut, I recall the good times in Lebanon and of course the wellknown great horse races at the Hippodrome in these years.

It's my pleasure to support these spectacular events with their beautiful Arabian Horses to help them survive the difficult times they face at present.”

NAWAL MAALOUF NAGEL has accompanied and supported her husband, Dr. Hans Nagel, in the breeding and development of the "NK Straight Egyptians" at Katharinenhof in Germany for over 40 years. In the past, some successful racehorses were also born at Katharinenhof and the fate of the horses on the racetrack in Beirut has inspired the whole family.

Desert Heritage Magazine • 107

Winner FARAH EL EID Nabil Nasrallah, Joseph Sehanoui, Marwan Dabbour, Sara Elias Zahra, Adnan

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MONIKA SAVIER is both a breeder of Arabian horses and owner of Tre Balzane Stud in Italy and a prolific staff writer of Desert Heritage Magazine on many topics associated with the history and breeding practices surrounding this particular horse which is renowned for its beauty and its strength. Not only is she interested in recording and preserving what we might call the ´social world of the Arabian horse`, she also stresses the importance of developing perspectives which recognize and respect the ´soul´ of the Arabian horse, and she points to the ways in which strong ethical values can be promoted in the shared living space of human and animal. These issues take on special importance with globalization, and with the expansion of breeding possibilities made available through science and risks of new technologies. Likewise Savier is concerned with the kind of environment that is provided so that these horses can lead a full existence, not only shaped by immediate human needs. (Prof. Angela McRobbie, University of London)

Desert Heritage Magazine • 109

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www.tuttoarabi.com - TUTTO ARABI | 111

Ali AlHawaj THE DOC WITH MANY TALENTS n by Monika Savier

112 • Desert Heritage Magazine

www.desertheritagemagazine.com

The artist and medical doctor Ali Alhawaj is, actually, a Plastic Surgery specialist. Currently, the 36-year-old is working in Saudi Arabia as a Fellow of Plastic Surgery.

The doctor-and-artist has been interested in Arabian Horses since childhood. In his own words, his family “value the Arabian horse, and consider it not only a tradition, but a heritage and a treasure that has to be taken care of ”. As he loves Arabian Horses so much, he started painting and photographing them, and was inspired by their beauty, exotic expression, and nobility. Actually, his story as an artist began when, even as a boy, he used to watch his father paint horses using oil colors. So he started appreciating art from a young age, and he recalls that his Art teachers in school used to consider him one of the tops of his class in Art and sketching.

However, he never expanded his talent until later.

Ali Alhawaj got inspired by many of the famous Arabian Horse paintings made by modern world-known artists from all over the world. Today, he maintains good relationships with great present-time artists from Italy, Australia, the US, Germany, and Iraq. When he had done his first real sketches, he showed them to several of his fellow artists and Arabian horse lovers. He says that their input really motivated him to continue and expand his talent – so during the lock down, he spent many hours self-learning about the principles of Art and drawing from international online courses. Later on, he took lessons at a private studio in Bahrain, acquiring a great lot of skills and getting really familiar with different painting techniques, and above all, increasing his knowledge about Art during that time. In his opinion, the time he dedicated to fine arts during lock down molded him from an immature to a professional level artist.

In October 2021 he received the Swatch Swiss Watches Award for his artwork with which he had represented Bahrain at Expo Dubai 2020.

The fact that Alhawaj is also a self-taught photographer of Arabian horses made painting more easy to learn for him, as he already had a refined understanding of light and shadows which serves him well for painting.

Currently, the versatile artist is working on several projects for his love of Arabian Horses, including painting, sketching, sculpting, and assembling a documentation of the famous authentic Arabian horses that fascinate and inspire him so much.

Desert Heritage Magazine • 113

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he painter, breeder, and photographer of Arabian horses, Ali Alhawaj, did not have to do what many of his European colleagues did 200 years ago, during the time of orientalism: they traveled to the Orient in order to get into first-hand contact with Arabian horses in their original surroundings, so as to be better able to paint them. Alhawaj, however, is born in Bahrain and was raised in his country of Saudi Arabia, so he has handling of Arabian horses and experience with them in his genetic code.

He has been painting horses for a few years and in this short time, was able to develop into a successful portrait painter. He is devoted to depicting flawless horses with noble heads, characteristically displaying great elegance, intensity, and realism. Painting and photography, however, are not all there is in his life.

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Ali AlHawaj

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INTERVIEW Savier: For thousands of years, wild and ridden horses have inspired people around the world to create images of them, whether in caves or museums. Horses, and especially the horses of the Orient, we get to experience as works of art from ancient times to the present. The reasons for depicting them were many. Before the invention of photography, the paintings also served as a reminder of the Arabian horses’ noble role in the cavalries for the wars between peoples and nations.

How do you see the role of your pictures in the context of contemporary art?

Alhawaj: My drawings are a translation of my perspective on Arabian horses. Arabian Horses are beautiful creatures. Each artist emphasizes, in his paintings, a particular angle or part of the aesthetics of this creature. And I hope that my view highlights the part that impresses me the most and continues to inspire my feelings towards this wonderful creature.

And I really think it’s a great honor to draw this creature that comes from my own environment.

My paintings represent my personality and my love for the authentic Arabian Horse, who has always had a major impact on my upbringing from a young age. I was raised to love horses. Thanks to my father, of course, who planted in me the love of horses. I have always been fascinated by paintings of famous modern and orientalist artists. But I never thought I’d complete a whole painting before! However, my love for challenge and new experiences made what I thought a dream possible.

Savier: For whom, I mean for which target group, do you paint horses?

Alhawaj: I don’t aspire to draw for a particular audience or taste. Actually it’s my feelings that move me when I am painting. I believe that

116 • Desert Heritage Magazine

successful artwork is the one that comes from the heart. It should not be planned or considered “material study”. I do not hide that I have tried to follow the taste of fellow horse lovers to plan some of my artworks. But in my view, those pieces of my work that were created purely out of my heart and passion, were the strongest and most beautiful. And I made sure of that by asking the opinion of many of my fellow artists.

Savier: Which painting techniques do you prefer, and for which type of horse?

Alhawaj: The period of my childhood when I watched my father paint in oil colors affected me the most. That’s why oil colors are my favorite, although they require a lot of patience and technique. But I won’t try to hide the fact that drawing with charcoal has been fun, especially when highlighting the fine details.

The Layering Technique in oil painting is a very good and safe technique, – however, I find myself doing Alla Prima (which is Wet on Wet) at certain times and that of course goes with my mood during painting.

Savier: You mainly paint the heads & necks of the horses – why does the body play a secondary role in depictions today? Does this correspond to the role of today’s show horse, who no longer has a function as a riding horse?

Alhawaj: The Authentic Arabian horse has many special traits that are widely known. However, the two qualities that we all agree on are the beautiful head and the high tail carriage, both of which highlight the Arabian horse breed.

The ability to draw the head in its fine details and authentic look is a very exciting challenge that highlights the artist’s skills and abilities. And of

Ali AlHawaj Savier: Are there any famous painters of the past, such as Carle Vernet, Theodore Gericault, or Victor Adam, who have influenced you?

course, I need to mention my love for the features of the Arab horse head, which has a special appeal for me.

I don’t think the body plays a subordinate role, however. In Art, it is a personal preference to highlight the element of beauty I’m interested in showing.

Moreover, maybe you noticed I did start painting full bodies in several of my paintings. It’s purely a personal taste and related to the mood during creating a work of Art. Savier: Do the horses you paint really exist? After which model do you paint? After a photo you took, or from memory?

Alhawaj: Most of the horses I draw are inspired by real horses that I admire or personally love. But sometimes I take inspiration from more than one source. Being a photographer too made that much more simple for me, as sometimes I get references from my own photography. As an Arabian horse breeder, I spend a lot of time near horses, and I think that made it easier to understand the anatomy and details of the Arabian horse.

Alhawaj: The motivation for me to paint horses was my love and passion towards the Arabian Horse, in the first place. This encouraged me to start learning about Arabian Horse Art for more inspiration and ideas.

I was influenced by many modern and Orientalist artists. Some of my favorites are Carle Vernet, Alfred de Dreux, Theodore Gericault, and Adolf Schreyer.

Savier: In addition to painting, graphic art and, today, photography, there is sculpting, which fascinates more and more horse lovers. With all your creative work in the field of the Arabian culture of today, I assume that you even started sculpting – did you?

Alhawaj: Yes, I find sculpture very fascinating and enjoyable. Being able to draw in three rather than two dimensions is really challenging, I would say. However, what makes sculpture interesting for me to explore, is that while painting relies on creating the illusion of a real object or scene, sculpture on the other hand actually inhabits the space shared by the viewer. One could actually touch it and feel it with its various forms and textures.

While the painter needs to know how the shadows are accompanied by the lights, in sculpture, nature helps you create those in the artwork. Both are great types of visual art that I really enjoy.

Savier: Thank you for the interesting information and best wishes for the future. q

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118 • Desert Heritage Magazine

Ali AlHawaj

Desert Heritage Magazine • 119

During private Arabian Horse Sculpting Workshop with Mrs Nicole Sachs-Germany

120 • Desert Heritage Magazine

Ali AlHawaj

dr.ali.alhawaj@gmail.com

+97336700350 Desert Heritage Magazine • 121

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