Michael Byatt Arabians
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reen countryside, red orioles, bluebonnet flowers, alabaster white horses — colors of Texas — these are just a few reasons that I was yearning to return to New Ulm for Michael Byatt’s open house. Michael does not like to use the term “open house” … for him it’s more of an intimate gathering of friends and associates, both longtime Arabian horse breeders and owners, as well as many non-Arabian horse guests. This is his opportunity to share his love of a lifestyle he has perfected, surrounded by the most beautiful breed on the planet, as well as his “family” of critters: exotic birds of all types, miniature b y M e l a n i e D av i s · p h o t o s b y S t u a r t Ve s t y Dexter cattle, Brodee the kangaroo, and rescued dogs. Michael Byatt Arabians is nestled in the tree-studded countryside outside of Houston and masterfully designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery. It feels more like a village of quaint cottages and barns nestled among gardens, ponds, trees, and paddocks, than a world-class Arabian breeding facility. As you stroll the grounds visiting mares and foals, young horses and stallions, you realize this place is truly designed for horses, and at the same time, people, too, can find peaceful retreats, like a
bench tucked into the trees along the way. It’s like no other farm I’ve ever visited. After kicking off the weekend with an intimate dinner under the trees on Friday evening, we returned Saturday for a luncheon set up in the newly created botanical garden located between the main house and the stallion barns. Two pathways surround the center island of emerald green grass where tables were set with lovely floral centerpieces. While guests enjoyed scrumptious salads and sipped wine, Michael spoke about horses that were ridden or led up and down shady pathways to our delight. Lines of white mares — *ZT Faa’kalba, Francescaa, *ZT Ludbectra, *Bahia Alfabia, *Diya Forx, and more — all led by attendants
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dressed in white, created a visual treat. Then there are the stallions, many of them legends. First down the path was the Al Shaqab stallion *Gazal Al Shaqab, looking magnificent being led by David Botha with his daughter Savannah astride, dressed in a fluffy white “princess” dress, looking so angelic. Also presented was Barzan Al Shahania, owned by Al Shahania Stud, who looked amazing and who is maturing beautifully. Michael Byatt’s own *ZT Marwteyn delighted the crowd with his shimmery bay coat. Then came the beautiful *Aja Justified, owned by Jane and Malcolm Hickford, one beauty after another. After lunch there was plenty of time for wandering the farm, visiting with friends and horses, then back to hotels to freshen up for dinner that evening, set out under the stars in front of the house. Everything is orchestrated to perfection, from the delicious fare, wine, and music, to the twinkling lights suspended from trees. We all left the weekend longing for more. n 1 Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Siena Psyche) with Michael Byatt Arabians trainer David Botha. n 2 Dinner was served on the front lawn both Friday and Saturday evenings. n 3 The filly Izabella BSF shows off for Michael and guests. n 4 Joel Desmarteau of Markelle Arabians visits with the cockatoo, Mango, while Paul Kostial, left, and Robert Cass, Michael Byatt’s public relations manager, look on. n 5 Two legendary mares: *Marwan Al Shaqab’s dam Little Liza Fame (Fame VF x Katahza), pictured here just shy of her 27th birthday, right, and Shahteyna (Bey Shah x TW Forteyna), 32 years old.
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n Right: The grand gentleman *Gazal Al Shaqab (Anaza El Farid x Kajora) carried little Savannah Botha past delighted lunch guests. n Below: Lunch was served under a canopy of trees in the new botanical garden.
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108 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b june 2014
109 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b june 2014