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Christina de Kragh of Guerlian Stables, France pictured riding her Champion Arabian stallion ARNELLE ACAPULCO (JS Marrak x Platinum Fantasie). Fresh cooled & frozen semen available worldwide in 2014. Please contact: vitalcell.km@bluewin.ch DESERT MIRAGE- August/September 2014 Desert Mirage - JUNE/JULY 2014
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Dear Readers, Have you ever thought about what you unconsciously transmit to your horse? We all know that when we are in a bad mood our horses are also often in a bad mood and we know that the very best riders are able to put aside their own issues and stay calmly focused on helping and understanding their horse. However, what we often forget is just how much our horses understand about how we feel towards them. I’m not just talking about when actually in the saddle but also how we feel about them on the ground. When we ride and get frustrated with our horse, we see immediately that the horse becomes tense and unwilling. As we relax, so too our horses relax and are more willing to help us get our message across in a subtle and gentle manner.
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Still, if your horse knows that when you dismount you release all ties to him, he will become distant and the work unexpressive. I noticed this and the power of this concept recently with my two horses. One horse is my star and I talk about him constantly. My other horse is older and a little bit more of a worrywart and sometimes I forget how special he is. So, one day I went into the stable after training and looked into his eyes. He was sad with me and not because I was unfair or frustrated with him in training because I work always very hard to always keep the calm relaxed me on the go. He was sad because he knew that he was number two and that perhaps I did not love him like I love the other. I felt very bad, but he was right and the next day I went into his stable and told him that I was going to make an effort to show him that he was as special as the other horse. From that day, his work was
DESERT MIRAGE- August/September 2014 Desert Mirage - JUNE/JULY 2014
more focused--he tried harder and I found that I enjoyed riding him so much more. Nuno Oliveira (one of the great dressage masters) used to say, “To be a good rider you have to love your horse. Horses pick up on our state of mind and attitude. I now use my common sense... it seems obvious to me that if dogs can smell fear then horses feel what you transmit to them, and if you know you will fail, your horse will become tense then you surely will fail. Have you ever thought about approaching him before a training session and telling him what is expected? Or visiting him post bath to discuss what could have gone better? Of course the non-horsey’s will think you are mad, but chances are they do not even notice when people discuss their lives with their canine or feline friends. If you do not believe me, then try it, but believe in it or of course you are fooling yourself and your horse. A horse with a rider that loves him will show it, and a horse with a negative unfriendly rider will produce the same emotion in the dressage test (or any
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other test). The best judge to appreciate the quality of the rider’s aids is the horse. Look at his attitude, his ears his eye. If the rider who just won a dressage test or other dismounts and his horse has a miserable appearance, we can say that the rider is a savage; the work was some kind of sport and not equestrian art,” said Nuno Oliveira. In my opinion, it is equestrian art, not science. So even if we cannot prove something works, it is simply magical when it does. Good luck, and please let us know about your experience using the above technique.
Jean Paul Guerlain Questions or comments may be forwarded to: info@desertmiragemagazine.com.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 Dear Desert Mirage Readers...
This August/September issue of Desert Mirage features the beautiful purebred Arabian colt Paragon VM (*Pogrom x Jabar Tresor by *Gazal Al Shaqab) on the cover and interior pages of the magazine. This beautiful colt is owned and bred by Virginie Martin of VM Arabians located in Quebec. Paragon VM is a stunning colt and is also listed on the VM Arabians sales list. Desert Mirage would like to offer our sincere gratitude to Virginie Martin for sharing her beautiful Arabian horses and information regarding her breeding program with the readers of the publication. NEWS FLASH: Debuting in the October/November ‘14 issue of the magazine is the new ‘DM Fashion Forward Equestrian Couture’ feature. This new department includes the lastest in fashion and luxury items available in today’s market. Please look for this fantastic display of goods and services in the upcoming issue!
Desert Mirage would like to welcome Urszula Leczycka, owner of ArabHorsePromotion in Poland, to the growing list of contributors to the magazine. Urszula will be distributing print copies of the magazine at many shows throughout Europe and in the Spring, the Middle East. This offers advertisers a global market as the magazines are also distributed at major Arabian horse shows in the USA as well. In addition, Desert Mirage is published digitally on the magazine website and is distributed globally, with hot links in place, to the subscription list. A perfect opportunity for you to advertise your breeding stallions, breeding programs, goods or services. Please contact the Desert Mirage advertising department at info@desertmiragemagazine.com. Desert Mirage is a proud Jackpot Class Sponsor at this year’s Iowa Gold Star Futurity Show in Des Moines, Iowa. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all the owners, breeders and exhibitors a very successful show!
The October/November print issue of Desert Mirage will be distributed at the US Arabian Nationals in Tulsa in October. Please look for your copy in the commercial exhibitor section or by the show office. Print magazines will also be distributed at the Aachen Arabian Horse Show in Germany. Please join us in promoting the beautiful Arabian horse by featuring your marketing campaign in the upcoming issues of Desert Mirage. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions regarding the Arabian horse and the articles that are published in this magazine. Please forward these items to: info@desertmiragemagazine.com. Sincerely,
Laura J. Brodzik Owner/Publisher Desert Mirage lauraj@desertmiragemagazine.com DesertMirageMagazine.com LJB Publications LLC 001.248.866.8756
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It is unfortunate that most horse business owners think business man-
agement is recording their horses’ vaccinations, deworming and farrier work, or recording the parameters from a semen collection or a mare’s estrous cycle activity, or scheduling training sessions or riding lessons, or entering a purchase in their accounting software. Recording information is work not management. Working a business and managing a business are not the same. They are mutually exclusive, but each can be improved collectively by an accomplished business manager. I realize that in many horse businesses the business owner is required to do the work and still manage their business – been there, done that. Horse business owners who understand and employ business management coordinate their business’s tasks and activities to accomplish their goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively. Successful horse business owners are always practicing business management even if they are doing the work. I call this, ‘thinking before the numbers’. A major component of horse business management is managing your business operations. The majority of people can organize scraps of paper, but not many can manage a business – and even fewer know the function of business operations. I am sure you have heard the golf expression; you drive for show, but you putt for dough. In horse business management the putting is business operations. It is not the glamorous part of the business (putting), but it is where you have the greatest influence on the dough. It isn’t always what you make, but it is always what you keep and good business operations management will help you keep it! Good business operations management will insure you have the cash in two weeks to purchase grain when you haven’t sold a horse in six months, or you lost four riding lesson students. Business operations management is the important functions of managing your business’s resources efficiently and effectively while optimizing your use of cash. Business operations management includes overseeing and managing the processes of: • Purchasing, tracking and managing your business’s supplies. You need to be sure you always have the supplies you need, but never
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more than you need, and scheduled for delivery when you need them. Many supplies that are consumed have a shelf life and as important, unnecessary supplies are cash at rest. If supplies spoil, get damaged or are misplaced, it is lost cash. Lost cash is analogous to getting a speeding ticket. We will discuss more about managing your supplies later in this article. • Maintaining, managing and keeping your business assets productive. Assets are generally BIG capital expense items and therefore, consume a lot of cash. Items that fall into the asset category are horses purchased for your business for lessons, trail rides, breeding, etc., and vehicles used in your business, and equipment like tractors, horse trailers, etc., and buildings. You need to make sure all your assets are producing, and furthermore producing at a level that will provide you with a Return on Investment (ROI). Before an asset is purchased you should determine the ROI that is acceptable to you. An acceptable ROI is generally equal to or better than the ROI you can get using your money in another investment. There is also an element of risk that needs to be considered in any investment – the higher the risk the higher the required ROI. If the asset is not meeting your expectations, then you need to solve the problem or sell it. I have a simple rule that I apply to capital purchases; is it a must have, is it a nice to have or is it silly. Never let your ego purchase your new truck. Your ego has a terrible ROI. We will discuss more about managing your vehicles later in this article. • Administering and managing your employees, while tracking their job assignments. Employees are a big expense in a business and generally the biggest expense. But, good employees are a business asset. I have always said employees are so important to a business’s success they should be carried on the balance sheet. Efficient and effective utilization of employees is always a challenge, but an important function in business operations. Effective management of your employees will not only reduce your total labor cost by having fewer employees, but will also enable you to compensate them above market rates guaranteeing you qualified, competent and loyal help. Well managed employees are a competitive advantage in your business.
Business operations management is a challenge and a bigger challenge without the help of a good business management system. There is just too much to keep track of on scraps of paper or with Excel spreadsheets. Records without management are just records. I personally question the added value of a horse management system that only records your information. You might be asking, why be concerned with tracking and managing my supplies? After all, I can go count my bales of hay, bags of grain, vaccination vaccines, breeding supplies, etc. – And you can, if you have nothing else to do with your valuable time. But, why not let your management system manage, track and remind you to reorder your supplies while you do something to improve your business that your management system can’t do.
Unfortunately, most people don’t associate their supplies with their cash flow or their supplies consumption cycle with shelf life. Having the ability to make sure you always have what you need, when you need it, but never too much, not only optimizes your use of cash, but ensures that your vaccines haven’t expired, or your feed hasn’t lost its nutritional value, or you have enough breeding supplies when you need them. I understand and appreciate the savings in quantity purchases, but a more important consideration is the value in a purchase. If the purchase is going to spoil or expire there is no savings. A good management system will enable you to optimize your quantity purchases for both savings and value. The equineGenie management system uses resource optimization, predictive modeling and heuristic learning to help you maximize the savings and value of your purchases and schedules your reorder reminders based on a supplies consumption rate and or its recurrent usage.
Supply Chain Management
You might also be asking, why be concerned with what it cost to operate my vehicle? After all, I can write off my mileage or my vehicle expenses and depreciation. And you are right, but I would ask you how do you know which choice is the better business decision? This is another business operations function – knowing what it cost to operate your vehicle and how you can minimize its expense and maximize its value to your business. If your business uses its vehicles to haul horses, it is critical that you know your vehicle’s fuel, maintenance, repair and depreciation cost per mile or kilometer so that you are pricing your hauling competitively, but still profitable. Charging what the ‘other guy’ does, does make your
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price equal, but not necessarily profitable or the hauling business of choice in a competitive market. Knowing your cost not only enables you to use horse hauling as a worthwhile source of cash and profit, it also allows you to price your hauling more competitively, thus giving you the opportunity to get more business than a competitor and still make money. If you only use your vehicles within your business, knowing a vehicle’s cost is just as important. It helps you make the best decision when selecting a vehicle for doing a particular task. Knowing a vehicles cost helps you make efficient and effective vehicle decisions.
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Vehicle Management
I am sure you can think of many more examples were business operations management assists you in making good business decisions. In any type of horse business the majority of its cash is consumed in purchasing, managing and maintaining its supplies and assets, and covering the cost of its employees. When a business needs to reduce its costs, it is best to look at reducing its operating cost before reducing its sales and marketing expense. Cutting back on your sales and marketing effort without reducing your operating costs will generally only reduce your revenue and create a bigger cash flow and profit problem. Good business operations management enables you to know your operating costs and know where you can be more efficient and effective using your business’s resources. The same sales volume with reduced operating cost equals more profit and better cash flow. Successful horse business management always includes business operations management. ‘Profit is an accounting opinion, cash is fact’. Underlying the success of any horse business and the management system you chose is your commitment to keep your system current and use the information it provides to assist you in making good business decisions. Believe me; you need a horse business management system! But, purchasing one if you do not have the ‘business discipline’ to keep it current and use it is a bad business decision, and probably not the management system’s fault!
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To be successful in a horse business does not require a finance education, but it does require business discipline and an appreciation for what your financials are telling you. This understanding will enable you to make better business decisions. A good Horse Business Management System will do the calculations for you and analyze and report the results with comments and or suggestions. A good Horse Business Management System will save you valuable time that you can use to improve your business. I encourage you to investigate how equineGenie not only helps you manage and care for your horses, but manages your business operations, supports your customers and helps you be financially successful. Bob Valentine, Ph.D. President GenieCo, Inc. Box 271924 Ft. Collins, CO 80527 970.682.2645 or 970.231.1455 bob@genieatwork.com equinegenie.com Dr. Valentine taught Equine Business Management to graduating seniors in the Equine Science Department at Colorado State University. He has been involved in the horse business for too long. If you have any questions, you can reach Bob at bob@genieatwork.com, or call him at 970.682.2645 (office) or 970.231.1455 (mobile).
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Desert Mirage - February 2014 Desert Mirage - JUNE/JULY 2014
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For boarding stables, boarding contracts are very important documents. Among their many elements, boarding contracts can establish payment schedules, confirm services that will be provided, address additional services and fees, identify late payment fees and interest on unpaid balances, explain health requirements for incoming horses, discuss stablewide vaccination and de-worming programs, address how either party can terminate the contract, and many other elements. One very important clause of a boarding contract, which documents sometimes miss, explains how the stable can handle veterinary emergencies when the owner cannot be reached. This article discusses how boarding contracts can address emergencies and potentially save a horse’s life.
Equine Insurance If a boarded horse is insured with equine insurance, such as mortality insurance or major medical insurance, should the boarding stable know this? Certainly. Equine mortality insurance policies typically require that the insurer must receive “immediate” notice if an insured horse becomes injured or ill (or worse), and the companies provide a toll-free telephone number for the insurer’s claims staff or agents to receive calls 24 hours a day. Using the insurer’s emergency contact information supplied by the owner, boarding stables can help provide these important notice calls. Also, depending on when the call is received, the insurer might be in a position to explain the horse’s coverage. With this in mind, boarding contracts can also allow customers to supply the following information for insured horses:
Why Address Emergencies in a Contract? Imagine this scenario: The horse owner leaves for a 10-day international vacation and gives the boarding stable no phone or e-mail contact information while he is away. The day after the owner leaves, however, his horse suffers a very serious bout of colic. The stable manager summons the veterinarian who examines the horse and advises that emergency surgery is needed. Not knowing whether the owner would consent to costly surgery, and unable to reach the owner for direction, the stable manager advises the veterinarian to euthanize the horse.
•
Name of the equine insurer
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Insurance policy number
• The insurer’s designated contact number for emergencies or if the horse becomes injured or ill • A requirement for the owner to immediately notify the stable of updated information
Several days later, the horse owner returns to the stable looking for his beloved horse, only to learn that the horse was put down. To make matters worse, when the owner notifies the equine mortality insurance company and makes a claim, the insurer refuses to pay because it was deprived of timely notice, and the horse’s destruction makes it impossible for a post mortem exam.
Since this information can be critically important, the stable manager can make sure to keep it readily available in a few places such as within a stall card, in the barn office, in the truck or trailer, in the stable manager’s cell phone, or others.
As explained below, a thorough boarding contract could potentially prevent this problem, and the horse’s life might have been spared.
This article is not intended to constitute legal advice. When matters arise based on specific situations, direct your questions to a knowledgeable attorney.
Addressing Emergencies in a Contract Boarding contracts sometimes address equine emergencies but approach the matter differently. For example: • Some contracts authorize stable management to take any action it deems appropriate, at any cost, if an emergency occurs and the owner or the owner’s designated contact person cannot be reached to provide instructions. • Other contracts allow stable management to secure veterinary attention in the owner’s absence but with a specified dollar limit on what can be arranged. This can be especially troublesome if the veterinarian cannot estimate the fee or if unforeseen complications arise that escalate the veterinary bill above this limit.
About the Author Julie Fershtman is one of the nation’s most experienced Equine Law practitioners. A Shareholder with the firm Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, based in Michigan, she has successfully tried equine cases before juries in 4 states and has achieved numerous courtroom victories. She has also drafted hundreds of equine industry contracts and is a Fellow and officer of the American College of Equine Attorneys. She has spoken on Equine Law in 28 states, including the nation’s largest conventions. For more information, please visit www.fershtmanlaw.com, www.equinelaw.net, or www.equinelaw.info.
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. The boarding contract can also specify that the stable, in securing emergency veterinary attention for a client’s horse as the contract allows, is acting as the owner’s agent to procure the services but not for the payment of fees. To assist the boarding stable further, some contracts allow the horse owner to specify his or her preferred veterinarian and encourage the owner to keep a credit card on file with the veterinarian’s office so that future services can be paid. - 27 -
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FA El Rasheem
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FA El Shawan x Virtuosa MLR 2011 Bay Stallion Standing at Dubai Arabian Stud - 28 -
Leaving Dubai and entering the depths of the desert, His Excel-
lency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AL MAKTOUM has created a unique stud for his show horses. He is man of vast equine accomplishments, over a plethora of disciplines, where the winning colors are so often his. This is especially highlighted in Endurance, a tough, long distance discipline for which he personally still partakes in after so many years in the saddle, and having initiated his son, the Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan. Sheikh Mohammed has launched a new challenge, the Show. This is in order to preserve the Arabian breed that is so dear to him as well as a foundation of his culture: the son of the desert, the Arabian horse. Recently a stud has been built which encapsulates functionality and aesthetics. It has all the facilities such as a clinic and insemination facility, supervised by qualified veterinarians who also have at their disposal: walkers, trainers and an equine swimming pool. The property has three stables with 25 boxes, all air conditioned. They welcome the four legged subjects of interest to the discipline of show, which receive precise training with an objective of presenting them in the arena. They also have large stable boxes which open onto sand paddocks for the breeding. The breeding program includes some superb broodmares purchased from all around the world, like the beautiful and charismatic FT SHAELLA, world champion, LADY VERONICA ... and many others. The best lineages come together displaying a true visual spectical, but also showing a deep respect, and understanding, for the
breeding program implemented by the managers and HE Sheikh Mohammed. This cumulates to finally preserve the essence of this beautiful breed.
The top stallion: ROYAL COLOURS, world champion, revels on his harem of mares. An incredible specimen similar to the young yearling D KHATTAF, who is commencing a prestigious career. He has already sparkled the colors of his breeder with huge success throughout the season in the Gulf region. A brand new entry, FA EL Rasheem, will be included to contribute to the next breeding season. This handsom three year old was the Supreme Champion Junior Male DUBAI, confirming the talented eye of Mr. Abdelaziz AL MARAZEEQ. This horseman not only has a keen eye in breeding matters, but is also a very gifted “scout�. It was he who identified the young frenchman, Geoffrey Hourseau, who was awarded the French Youth Handlers Champion in 2012 at a show in the U.S. and has since been offered a job to coach full time.
Geoffrey Hourseau has been working in the UAE since November after a two year work placement alternating between three monthly periods at Scott Allman Arabians to help during the season in France. He recently grasped a Silver in the Junior Females at Ittenwiller INT C in 2012. He also acquired experience with Michael Byatt at the Scottsdale Show, and Las Vegas in the USA. Geoffrey had the pick of the crop with such horses as *Marwan Al Shaqab. This was an opportunity that would have inspired any handler. It was at the US Arabian Nationals Show in Oklahoma where Mr Abdelaziz AL MARAZEEQ met Geoffrey.
Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdam Bin Mohammed AL MAKTOUM World Championship in Dubai 1998 - 29 -
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Pictured Left & Below:
Geoffrey Hourseau
Apprentice trainer/handler with the top quality Arabian horses of DUBAI STUD.
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Since then, Geoffrey has also acquired two months experience in Italy during the Italian Nationals where he familiarized himself with the Scuderia Groane. In October 2012, the Haras de la Châtaignière entrusted Geoffrey to present ESTA ESPLANAN, son of As Nasr ApaI, owned by AJMAN STUD, in the INT B, at El Jadida in Morocco, where he did not disappoint and won the bronze in the senior males group. These experiences and successes have given Geoffrey the chance to continue his long apprenticeship with the top quality horses of DUBAI STUD.
The top Italian handler, Paolo CAPECCHI, generally arrives two weeks before each Emirati contest to tweak and hone the work already achieved. These periods give Geoffrey valuable time to sponge as many tips as he can from Paolo’s extensive experience.
Paolo very much appreciated Geoffrey’s work on D KHATTAF, the son of the wonderful Royal Colours. This rough diamond was polished under the wing of the frenchman.
All of this has demonstrated a lot of trust from his manager, Mr Abdelaziz AL MARAZEEQ, especially since he has confided D KHATTAF to him for training. One can only imagine the emotion and joy from the team with the SILVER medal success on the ground in DUBAI, preceded by GOLD in Abu Dhabi and GOLD in Boutheib.
This is a very close-knit team, well praised by the two other handlers presenting on the site: REDWAN GUELMAM for Morocco and Muhannad ALMANADILY for Syria. It is also certainly worth highlighting the coordination between Paolo CAPECCHI, Steve Dady from the US, and their manager Mr. Abdelaziz AL MARAZEEQ.
We will no doubt be able to count on DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD in the years to come to impress its mark on all the competitions around the world, especially as the little brother of D KHATTAF is beginning to tip the end of his nose…
info@dubaiarabianstud.com
dubaiarabianstud.com
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Sylwia Ilenda was born in 1976 in Lublin, Poland. She
finished the School of Art in Zamosc. In 2003, she took up artistic photography alternately with acrylic or soft pastel painting. Her pictures were published in Polish and foreign magazines. Sylwia’s works were also exhibited in Zamosc.
In the meantime, she took part in all forms of art activities, as the International Plein-Air Workshop of Borderland Art in Chelm, or individual exhibitions covering the
Junior Arabian Horse Shows at Bialka in 2005 and 2006. Her pictures gain a great interest of Arabian horse fans, which often expose them in their art galleries, as well in Poland, as in the US, Canada, Australia or other European countries.
Sylwia confesses that she has loved horses since her early childhood, admiring their looks, strength and spirits so much, that she wanted to have something to do with horses for the rest of her life. As far back as she could
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remember, she tried to draw horses. Referring to her ‘memories’ Sylwia says, “In my childish determination, I copied almost all horses painted by Juliusz Kossak. It was probably subconscious, but as my models I picked mostly those with a high tail-carriage, proud pace, slender legs, dry head and swan-like necks. At that time I didn`t realize that they were the most beautiful from all beauties – they were Arabian horses!” “When I attended the art school, I became even keener on painting horses. I learned many painting and sculpture tech-
niques. After many trials and errors, I found out that pastels suited me the best. Soft pastels were ephemeral and refined, their colors were transparent, their lines might be either clear, or hardly visible. That`s why they were useful to convey all kinds of models. Horses painted with pastels looked as if they were alive, ready to jump out of the frames,” states Sylwia. She continues, “Besides painting horses, I love spending my time with them. I was deeply impressed by peacefully grazing mares and playing foals at beautifully located pasture
grounds of the Bialka Stud. Then, for the first time I replaced my pastel with a professional camera.”
“Painting and photography well complement each other. Looking at horses from the artistic point of view, I notice more than only ‘mere horses’. On the other hand, when I looked through the subjects, I could imagine at the same time how my models would look if they were painted. In fact, DESERT MIRAGE- August/September 2014
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many of my pictures were painted on the basis of my photos. I would never want to lose contact with horses, because they inspire me and always give me incentive,” says Sylwia.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sylwia-Ilenda-Art-Photography/334923459929130 art.ilenda@gmail.com
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DESERT MIRAGE- August/September 2014
Paragon VM
*Pogrom x Jabar Tresor 2014 Bay Colt Owned & Bred by VM Arabians DESERT MIRAGE- August/September 2014
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Many renowned breeders began with just two mares-remember the Husbands who began with Jurneeka++, the dam of the irreplaceable Khemosabi++++// and Carinosa+, dam of 10 champions and at one time the breed’s leading living dam of champions? The Husbands originally hailed from Canada, and so does new breeder Virginie Martin, a French native now living in Quebec.
Virginie has wanted to breed Arabians since childhood, and began reading articles about genetics and breeding early on. “I always loved horses and especially Arabians, ever since I saw the film “The Black Stallion Returns” as a child,” she recalls. She met her first Arabians at Tchaata Arabians, located in the southwest of France. “I was a student then, and meeting Phillippe Ascaso and her parents was one of the most important moments of my life. They are not just incredible people, their farm is a paradise on earth. I’ve always said the happiest time of my life was spent at that farm, and after meeting their incredible horses I had no choice but to fall in love completely with Arabians. I learned that this breed is intelligent, close to humans, and so generous, and decided that these special horses would be an important part of my life. I breed Arabians now because I just cannot imagine living without these horses.” Virginie currently owns two mares. The first is Sarah Antara, a
daughter of multiple National Champion Stallion DA Valentino, sire of 50 National winners. Sarah Antara is a 3/4 sister to multiple regional halter champion JC Victor, who is also out of her dam Rose Of Fujairah and sired by the DA Valentino son, Vitorio TO. Rose of Fujairah is a Straight Egyptian mare who won five titles at the US Egyptian Event prior to being imported to Canada. She is a daughter of Egyptian Event Supreme Champion Stallion Botswana, a National winner sire who was the Leading Halter and Performance Sire of the US Egyptian Event for six consecutive years. Rose of Fujairah’s dam Ravenwood Finale has produced five U.S. Egyptian Event halter winners (four of them by Botswana) and comes from a heritage of horses who have excelled under saddle in both the show ring and on the endurance trail. Virginie was delighted to be able to purchase Sarah Antara. “She was an opportunity. A breeder friend told me about a DA Valentino daughter for sale at an advantageous price and I bought her sight unseen in 2010. Owning a DA Valentino mare is not just a dream, it’s a treasure to cherish each day. My favorite Arabians are perhaps the European type but DA Valentino was a stallion who could bring tears to the eyes of any breeder. He was not just beautiful, he had a unique presence. A few months after I purchased Sarah, DA Valentino passed away at a young age. It was so tragic and I realized how lucky I was to have one of his daughters-she is the only DA Valentino daughter in Quebec.”
Sarah Antara
DA Valentino x Rose of Fujairah by Botswana 2009 Chestnut Mare Owned by VM Arabians - 41 -
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Esscapade MOA
*Escape Ibn Navarrone-D x Marquessa Del Sol MO 2012 Grey Mare Owned by VM Arabians
Virginie’s second mare is Esscapade MOA, bought as a foal in 2012. She has proven her worth in the show ring as she was named Eastern Canadian Breeders and Region 18 Champion Yearling Filly in 2013, the only two shows in which she has competed thus far. Esscapade MOA is a daughter of *Escape Ibn Navarrone-D, one of the world’s most decorated show stallions, whose titles include Nations Cup Champion Stallion, Dubai Champion Stallion, World Champion Stallion and Vegas Breeders Cup Champion Stallion. Esscapade MOA is out of Marquessa Del Sol MO, a full sister to U.S. Reserve National Champion Yearling Colt and Top Ten Futurity Colt Majesstic and a maternal sister to World Gold Champion Stallion and National Champion sire Marquis CAHR. Marquessa Del Sol MO is a daughter of U.S. and Canadian Reserve National Champion Futurity Colt and U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Junior Stallion *Besson
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Carol, a sire of National Champions in halter, hunt pleasure and western pleasure in North America. *BESSON CAROL also sired World Gold Champion Stallion Fadi Al Shaqab. Esscapade MOA’s maternal granddam Rohara Magnifica is a World and National Champion producer sired by U.S. and Canadian National Champion Stallion Echo Magnifficoo. Virginie explains how she came to own such a fine young mare. “I was searching for a second broodmare for my breeding program. I asked a breeder friend to call Suzanne Winch for me, he knew her and I had seen some of her horses and knew hers were the kind of Arabians I wanted for my breeding program. Thus I heard about Esscapade. As a European person, *Escape Ibn Navarrone-D is a legend for me and he has very few North American get so I was
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anxious to own one of his daughters. Esscapade’s dam is one of the most impressive mares I have ever seen. I have always loved World Champion Marquis CAHR, he is the kind of stallion who enters the ring and no one can take their eyes off him. When I realized that Esscapade’s dam was his maternal sister that was the cherry on the cake for me! When my friend saw Esscapade he said. “ ‘If you don’t buy her, I will’, so I bought her!”
Virginie states that Esscapade is growing up to be an incredible mare. “I can’t wait to see what she can produce for us. She will be bred for the first time in 2015 and I will choose a very special stallion for her. She certainly deserves the best. Embryos from her will be for sale to discriminating breeders-I think her foals will be amazing!”
The pride and joy of Virginie’s efforts as a breeder is her 2014 colt, the aptly named Paragon VM, whose dam, halter champion Jabar Tresor, was leased from the breeder of Esscapade MOA. “I first became aware of Jabar Tresor when I bought Esscapade,” explains Virginie, but her sale price was out of my reach at the time. I began to talk regularly to Suzanne Winch and her mother Sandra Powell after I bought Esscapade, and learned from Suzanne that her mother had decided to keep Jabar Tresor but she wanted to have fewer horses at her farm. Tresor was not for lease but Suzanne decided it would be a great idea for both of us, so Tresor went to Suzanne’s farm and I leased her onsite there.”
Virginie wanted to find just the right sire for the foal from the aptly named Jabar Tresor. Jabar Tresor is a paternal sister to World Gold Champion Mares *Emandoria, *Pianissima and *Pinga. “I am a huge fan of *Gazal Al Shaqab as a sire. He is a legend and his influence persists through generations,” comments Virginie. “For me, the world’s most beautiful mares are *Emandoria and *Pinga, *Emandoria is my all time favorite mare.” Jabar Tresor also comes from a strong dam line. Her dam, Hello America, is a multiple regional halter champion and has produced three champions. Her sire, the multiple National Champion Stallion *Enchanter Magic FHP, has sired National Champions in hunter over fences and pleasure driving and National winners in halter, park, and western pleasure. *Enchanter Magic FHP daughters have produced National Champions in halter and reining and National winners in hunt pleasure and western pleasure. Hello America traces to the U.S. National Champion Stallions Almaden, *Padron, *Aladdinn and *Bask++.
Virginie chose Polish Gold Champion Stallion *Pogrom for the sire of Jabar Tresor’s foal to come. He had just been named Scottsdale Supreme Champion and would be named 2013 U.S. National Senior Champion Stallion after Jabar Tresor was checked in foal. “Although I think it is very important to see a stallion in person, I wasn’t able to do that with *Pogrom,” recalls Virginie. “I did however see him on live feed from Scottsdale and also consulted several breeders who had used him about their impressions of him as a sire. Breeding to him meant linebreeding to my favorite stallion *Gazal Al Shaqab, to whom he traces in sire line through his sire,
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Paragon VM
World Gold Champion Stallion QR Marc, whose sire, World Champion Stallion *Marwan Al Shaqab, is a son of *Gazal Al Shaqab. So this made the potential mating even more exciting for me. And of course my favorite mares are the ones foaled in Poland sired by *Gazal Al Shaqab, so *Pogrom’s dam side really appealed to me. His dam has also produced a successful hunter/jumper and a stakes winning racehorse-it is important to me that the horse have athletes in its ancestry, not just pretty faces.” Paragon VM is all that Virginie had hoped for in the cross between *Pogrom and Jabar Tresor-he has wonderful Arabian type, good conformation and the potential to be a serious athlete. “He has it all to be a champion-well balanced and typey, really correct, with a unique personality. It’s hard to fault him,” she enthuses. “Suzanne Winch is very impressed with him as well, and she is a World Champion breeder. His capacity to amaze us grows daily.”
Virginie has clearly defined goals as a breeder. “Quality over quantity is very important to me. I decided to have just two mares for some time. Leasing Jabar Tresor was an incredible experience and as a result of it I will lease other mares. I love that leasing enables me to utilize incredible mares without having to purchase them. I want to breed international quality horses, ones that can shine around the world. I have realized my childhood dream of becoming a breeder and now I want to help other people realize their dreams with the young horses I am breeding.” From all indications Virginie is off to a great start in fulfilling her goals!
Paragon VM is offered available for purchase on Virginie’s sales list. Please contact her directly at vmarabians@hotmail.ca. Please visit the VM Arabians website at vmarabians.com.
*Pogrom
QR Marc x Petla 2009 Bay Stallion Owned & Bred by JANOW PODLASKI STATE STUD FARM
Paragon VM
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Sarah Antara
SaMajesté VM
DA Valentino x Rose of Fujairah by Botswana 2009 Chestnut Mare Owned by VM Arabians
NG Secretariat x Sarah Antara 2013 Chestnut Colt Bred by VM Arabians Owned by Réna Thivierge of Quebec
vmarabians@hotmail.ca
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Jabar Tresor
*Gazal Al Shaqab x Hello America 2007 Bay Mare Dam of Paragon VM Owned by Melody Oaks Arabians
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Senior Male Gold
MARQUIS CAHR MARWAN AL SHAQAB & ROHARA MAGNIFICA By ECHOO MAGNIFICA Breeder: POWELL GRAHAM & SANDRA Owner: HRH Prince Khaled Bin Sultan AL SAUD DESERT MIRAGE- August/September 2014
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AMIR AL SHAQAB GAZAL AL SHAQAB & AMIRA MADRONA By PARYS EL JAMAAL BREEDER/OWNER: AL SHAQAB STUD
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Silver
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Junior Male Gold
FA EL RASHEEM FA EL SHAWAN & VIRTUOSA MLR By VERSACE Breeder: MARLENE ANN RIEDER Owner: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD
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SULTAN AL ZOBARA GAZAL AL SHAQAB & INRA AL SHAQAB By WAHAJ AL SHAQAB Breeder: AL ZOBARA Owner: AL ZOBARA / AL SHAQAB
EQUIBORN KA QR MARC & ESPADRILLA By MONOGRAMM Breeder/Owner: KNOCKE ARABIANS, PAUL GHEYSENS
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Silver
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Yearling Male Gold
GHAZWAN AL JASSIMYA MARWAN AL SHAQAB & ATHINA EL JAMAAL By MAYSOUN Breeder: AL JASSIMYA STUD Owner: AL JASSIMYA STUD
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D MSHARY QR MARC & FT SHAELLA By SHAEL DREAM DESERT Breeder: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD Owner: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD
LOAY AL KHALEDIAH EL PALACIO & LLAYLA By EL NABILA B Breeder: AL KHALEDIAH STABLES Owner: HRH Prince Khaled Bin Sultan AL SAUD
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Silver
Bronze DESERT MIRAGE- August/September 2014
NAJDAH AL ZOBAIR MARWAN AL SHAQAB & JFN BINT LUDHAN By AB MAGNUM BREEDER: AL ZOBAIR STUD OWNER: HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed Ali AL THANI
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BADAWIEH AA LAHEEB & BAHIHA By BAAHIR BREEDER: ARIELA ARABIANS OWNER: HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid AL NUAIMI
ATHEENA ASHKAL AL RAYYAN & ASS WINDI By GONCHAR BREEDER: GAMLIN DELYTH OWNER: HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan AL SAUD
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Silver
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Junior Female Gold
D SHAHLA MARAJJ & FT SHAELLA By SHAEL DREAM DESERT Breeder/Owner: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD
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STAR OF AL ZOBAIR AJMAN MONISCIONE & S RHAPSODY By MARWAN AL SHAQAB BREEDER: AGROPECUARIA VILA DOS PINHEIROS LTDA, BRAZIL OWNER: HE SHeikh ABdulla BIn Mohammed Ali AL THANI
AJA EUROPA AJA JUSTIFIED & HB MARAIS By MARWAN AL SHAQAB BREEDER: HICKFORD AJA ARABIANS GB OWNER: ROYAL CAVALRY OF OMAN
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Silver
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Yearling Female Gold
AJ SAWARI MARWAN AL SHAQAB & SIBERIA SA By NUZYR HCF BREEDER/OWNER: AJMAN STUD
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AL FARIDA AL SHAQAB FADI AL SHAQAB & ALEYSHA AL NASSER By GAZAL AL SHAQAB BREEDER/OWNER: AL SHAQAB STUD
D DANAT SG LABIB & ANGELICCAH By MARWAN AL SHAQAB Breeder/Owner: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD
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Silver
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All of the Harmony Acres horses know how to smile and they habitually do so every time that they finish a session or I depart from their presence. This is a fun and easy trick to teach and can be performed without props once it is mastered.
I find that horses vary in how they express their smiles. Some do a shy, tiny, quick expression, while others naturally will flip up their lip and hold it for quite a long time. This trick is a behavior built on the horse’s natural behavior of producing this action when they smell something unusual or a stallion is near a mare in heat. The flipping of the lip to bare the upper teeth is referred to as Flehmen or Flehming, and is nearly always accompanied by the horse raising its head up high.
How to teach the smile:
Equipment needed: Halter, lead line, clicker that produces a sound, and a fanny bag with your horses favorite treats such as small slices of carrots, grapes, apples, or horse cookies. Clickers can be purchased at pet stores from $3.00 to $15.00 each and are also used in dog training. Choose a time and place that is quiet and without a lot of distractions going on. The timing for teaching tricks should not be right before or after feeding since we will use treats to reinforce the behavior. A horse that has just finished a meal or worrying about others eating will not be able to concentrate on learning the new lesson as well. This can be taught in your horse’s stall, aisle way or even a paddock as long as you and your horse are alone and not crowded by herd mates. Once the cue is learned, my horses have all gathered by the gate to smile together on the cue to smile. The Methods: Stand off to the side of your horse and tickle the nose between the nostrils with one finger. Most horses will wriggle their nose and lift their lip with this stimulation. Say the cue “Smile” and make the clicker sound immediately followed by the reinforcement treat. The Clicker sound is a bridging signal that tells your horse that they have performed the correct behavior and a treat reinforcement will soon follow. Ask for the behavior no more than ten times in a row and then do something else and come back to repeat
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the process. I also ask the horse to step a few steps ahead after each smile. I move the horse after each trial (asking for a behavior) for everything that I teach. That way the horse learns to perform the new behavior in different locations so that the response is not dependent on being in a particular location. I would not spend more than ten minutes at a time for each lesson, as you do not want the process to become boring. The finger tickle is the method that I have used to teach all of my horses to smile, as young as a couple months of age. There are alternative procedures to teach the smile if this does not work with your horse.
You can try replacing your finger with a long feather and gently tickle between the nostrils and on the nose. Click and say the word Smile when the horse lifts its lips.
Other people find it easier to let your horse get a whiff of an unusual strong scent. This could be something natural like a rose perfume, my horse’s favorite scent, peppermint, or chopped onion. No powders or chemical products that could be harmful to health should be used. Some people have had success using a carrot or other fruit just out of reach to elicit the horse to raise its head and reach out for a bite. They then use the carrot to lift the lip and say the cue “Smile” as they click and then give a bite of carrot. First attempts of a smile may be slight. Express your delight at the slightest efforts and build on extending the size and length of the smile. Always be positive and as every other training exercise, end the lesson on a good response.
Once the smile is well learned, one need only to point to the lips and cue the word “Smile!” Your horse should raise its head, lift their lips and hold for several seconds. I think the horses enjoy this activity as much as their human companions do. What a fun activity to do with your horse! You can even make a SELFIE photo of you together for Facebook.
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