From right to left: Rawena (Europejczyk x Revlon MF) 960 AERC miles ridden by Suzanne Ford Huff, and her daughters SD SzZaphira (Gardjan) 150 AERC miles ridden by Krista Turnage, and SD Silwa (Expressive LP) 50 AERC miles and top ten, ridden by Heather Lyman. Photo taken at the High Desert IV 50 on Oct. 18th by David Siegel.

Darryl and Suzanne Huff
SuDar Arabians

From right to left: Rawena (Europejczyk x Revlon MF) 960 AERC miles ridden by Suzanne Ford Huff, and her daughters SD SzZaphira (Gardjan) 150 AERC miles ridden by Krista Turnage, and SD Silwa (Expressive LP) 50 AERC miles and top ten, ridden by Heather Lyman. Photo taken at the High Desert IV 50 on Oct. 18th by David Siegel.

Darryl and Suzanne Huff
SuDar Arabians

As some of you may be aware by now, the Board of Directors of the Arabian Horse Association passed a Motion at the May, 2009 board meeting to support the reopening of horse-slaughter facilities in the United States.

A grass roots AHA member organization is forming, called “AHA Mission Supporters” or AHAMS. www.ahamsupport.com

Its purpose is dedicated to opposing the AHA's public endorsement of horse slaughter and gathering petition signatures from current and former members that call for the Board of Directors to rescind the slaughter motion.

It is important to note that this opposition is based on the slaughter endorsement being in direct conflict with the AHA Mission statement. AHA’s endorsement of horse slaughter does not serve to promote, protect or preserve the Arabian horse. While there are members who may not be opposed to slaughter, many of those do not believe the AHA should have taken any position on it at all; as a breed promotion organization it should remain neutral.

The petition to rescind the AHA slaughter resolution does not require members to oppose horse-slaughter.

Please visit the following website, www.ahamsupport.com for more information on the AHA slaughter resolution, why the motion was outside the scope of the association's Mission, and how the Board of Directors of the Arabian Horse Association overstepped their authority in making this public endorsement on behalf of its approximate 37,000+ members.

Most importantly, if you believe this motion should be rescinded, and the AHA remain neutral on the issue of horse slaughter, please sign the petition at: http://www.gopetition.com/online/31478.html

There are also numerous links to the petition throughout the website.
If you would like more information please email us at ahamsupporters @ gmail.com

GIL - Probat x Gildia - 1981 - 2009

It is with great sadness that I have to say that Gil has passed away this afternoon. He had let me know that is was time, that he was tired and wanted to move on...

Now he is resting with his friends Alegro and Arbil, under the trees in the stallion pasture.

Gil was with me at the start of the success from Vlasakker Arabians, and WAS a big part of the success from Vlasakker Arabians in the beginning. Seldom have I had a more versatile horse: successful racingcareer, a VERY successful international show career, with national championships in 3 countries, and many nternational titles, winner of the stallion licensing show for three consecutive years ( the only three years he was shown). The ONLY fully licensed Arabian stallion for warmbloodhorses in Holland, and he competed with them under saddle to pass that exam. Arabians are not popular with warmblood breeders, but Gil was a huge exception, the judges loved him, and the people loved him, and he would get standing ovations from them: that little Arabian, between all these huge 16.3 HH. plus warmblood stallions.

Gil could be crossed with mare from any and ALL bloodlines and ALWAYS gave a good foal. He sired numerous showwinners, racewinners, dressagehorses, eventinghorses. He sired a good number of very good broodmares, and breedingstallions.. Winner of the national championship "get of Sire" when he was 21 years of age, and the judges mistakenly thought he was a youngster of about 10 years old. Many years Gil was my riding horse, and of any small child that wanted to sit on a horse, or brush one.

I had many worries in the beginning of Gil's show career with me: he would come into the holding ring, and just stand there on three legs, resting, ears half sideways...and I would be WORRIED, thinking "this is never going to work, he is either sick or asleep", but then he would enter the arena and immediately the tail would go up, ears pricked forward, head up, and as ready as ANY horse could be ready, LOVING every second of that arena, and then when hewent out, he turned right into that good, sweet and quiet horse again. Amazing!

I always said that it was impossible to make a friendlier horse then Gil. So now they will have to make a new one...

Gil was with me for 23 years, and I lost a FRIEND today.

Vlasakker Arabians
Velddriel, Netherlands

Here is the show record so far for Covenannt ASA. It's been a fun "ride" thanks to Larry and Rie Jones in Virginia and Kevin Dwyer in CT.

We are proud that our pure Polish horse competed against the Psyches and the AFBV's successfully!

* There were numerous other horses in the in-hand classes which this record does NOTreflect. It only accounts for the number of class winners and not the TOTAL number of horses actually defeated.

**This show did not offer a Championship class.

God bless, Cheryl
ASA Farm
purepolisharabians.com

EASTERN SHOW

LPEMARGO (*Goliat x Penkana) Breed Futurity--1ST PLACE
DBA SAIWOJSKI (*Wojslaw x Saikana) Breed Futurity 1ST PLACE

DBA Saiwojski

"MARGO" SHIH Futurity 1ST PLACE
"SKI" SHIH Futurity 1ST PLACE

"MARGO" SHIH with 12 in the class RESERVE CHAMPION MARE
"SKI" SHIH with 9 in the class CHAMPION STALLION

EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS

"MARGO" SHIH 14 in the class RESERVE CHAMPION MARE
"SKI" SHIH 14 in the class CHAMPION STALLION

Our grandaughter, Carlye Benson who is 16 and has not had the opportunity to compete very much took a SECOND showing for the first time SHIH, Laura Thomas's mare, Khorvette and then her own gelding AIKAANTU, (AIKON X DBA CHELSEA) took a 1st in dressage with Larry Jones.

DBA AIKAANTU -- RESERVE CHAMPION Dressage training level 2, test 4, tied with Trueblue Goldmine!
Exhibitor: Larry Jones

Thank you soooo much Rie and Larry Jones!!

Pat and Fritz Paul
Dry Brook Arabians
drybrookarabians @ gmail.com

Junior Reining Championship

Champion TA GLACIER (Kordlas X Gloria by Eukaliptus) bred by Toskhara Arabians, owned by Liz Dagnall, shown by Anthony Champion.

Reserve Champion TA MAHOGANY (Algonkwin X Makarena by Borek)2004 bred and owned by Toskhara Arabians.

TA HAWANNA (Kordelas X Hulanaka by Eukaliptus) 2005 bred and owned by Toskhara Arabians was tied for 3rd and TA GISELLE (Kordelas X Gloria by Eukaiptus 2005) was Top 5.

Training Level Dressage

Champion TA MONET+ (Gazal Al Shaqab X Marieta by Arbil) 2004 bred by Michalow State Stud and imported in-utero and owned by Toskhara Arabians, shown by Wendye Gardiner He scored 73.67 the highest score of the show. We will continue to show him in 1st Level and the plan is to show him 1st Level at SHN.

Reserve Champion TA ELLIOT (Kordelas X Erotomanka by Eukaliptus) 2005 bred and owned by Toskhara Arabians shown by Wendye Gardiner. He scored 70.

Toskhara Arabians
Dick & Christine Reed, Aubrey, Texas
www.toskhara.com

WA Pejczyk's younger sister, WA Phylarka won Reserve Champion Mare Colorado Breeders Cup SHIH on July 4 at Estes Park with Kara Wintersteen in her first show and outing off the farm.

Phylarka bested 6 other older mares, coming just shy of the win by .5. The 2 year old gray filly is out of foundation mare Phyllan (*Bancock x DS Kohana) -- dam of chief sire Pejczyk, halter champion and race winner. Phylarka is by Ontario HF (Monarch AH x Orzonna HF by *Pepton), Darley Champion race horse, and recently exported to Poland where he is currently standing at Kielnarowa Stud. Phylarka represents one of Ontario's first and only foals the US.

"This was our first time breeding to a 'race sire'", relates Bob Wintersteen. "But we felt that Ontario was a unique individual, beyond his racing credentials, he was very handsome and his dam was also a Regional halter champion, as well as a stakes winner. We are thrilled to see the Arabian type of these two is exhibited in this filly, hopefully so will the racing ability."

Phylarka is scheduled to make her halter debut later this fall, and will then go into race training. This is the first filly out of Phyllan for the farm, and being 22 years old, more than likely her final gift. Eventually Phylarka will succeed her dam in broodmare duties. "I think when it is all said and done, Phyllan's influence for our farm will be pretty significant," concludes Bob.

Wintersteen Arabians
Colorado
www.wintersteenarabians.com

Cezarz by *Algomej was Region 12 Reserve Champion Open Reining Horse. In his third show, we were thrilled once again to see him WIN the Regional 15 Championship in Open Reining with a large class of talented horses.

His training has been done solely by Jesse Chase, who we are slowing converting into an Arabian trainer. I am happy and overjoyed to be Cezarz's groom and show mom.

Cezarz has become the Polish Arabian horse poster child. Everyone asks his breeding and then seems surprised that he is pure polish and not the typical outcrosses that have been so strong in the field. According to his trainer, Jesse, Cezarz digs in deep and can slide forever. Jesse told me after Region 15 that "Cezarz is getting better and should be finished in his training by Nationals!" So....Nationals here we come!

Submitted by Debi Eure
Coon Creek Arabians,
North Carolina
email: dertrbi @ yahoo.com

Last show of our season, The Trilogy (A) 2009

Our Australian Arabian National Champion Stallion Sadiks Psyche (Padrons Psyche x Simeon Sadik daughter) made a very successful debut under saddle winning the Champion Arabian Stallion Saddle Horse of the Year.

Purebred Mare Champion snr in hand was Promise Me Brass (a G.G,Great Granddaughter of Bask) & also was Champion Arabian Show Hunter of the Year.

WA All Arabian Show (A) 2009

Promise Me Brass was Champion Snr Mare in Hand & was also awarded the Ultimate Purebred Arabian Award, this being a combination of saddle & halter in the same class against all comers (Stallion, Mare & Gelding).

This same result was also achieved by our Purebred Mare Bint Nadia (TS AL Malik x Greengrove Nadia) in the show year 2007/08 & continued on to take the Supreme Champion Snr Exhibit both years at both shows.

We just like to prove our horses are "Beautiful Athletes"

Lusia Abbott
Yeedalong Farm & Alphalea Arabians
5416 Arthur River - Boyup Brook Road
Duranillin WA 6393
Ph/Fax 08 9863 1080
Email: yeedalong @ activ8.net.au

The Wintersteen family was delighted to attend the annual COBRA (Colorado Owners and Breeders of Racing Arabians) 2008 Awards Banquet where homebred mare, WA Miss Emaranta (*Emanor x Melissa SA by Bandit SA) was nominated in two categories; Colorado Bred Horse of the Year and Older Mare of the Year. The eventual winners were Black Beaches and Jessys Princess, but that didn't diminish the mare's accomplishments for the Wintersteens'. "Jessys Princess was the Darley Champion and best mare in the country last year, Black Beaches was also a Darley nominee, it is just an honor to have our Emaranta's name listed with those horses in the program," exclaims Bonnie Wintersteen.

Emaranta's racing career didn't begin very quickly, not having her first start till she was 5 years old. "She needed to mature physically and mentally," remembers trainer Jeff Wintersteen. "She is a big full bodied mare, but a little offset and pigeon toed on the front, and I always fretted about those legs, but in the end she overcame it. Dr. Moak told me 'just don't let the jockey look down!' -- advice I tried to remember." In her first start she ran 4th against the colts. "She was beaten by SE Bunker Buster, SW Zell and Sharp Cookie. Those boys went on to do big things, combined for over $180,000 in earnings, multiple stakes wins and a Darley nomination. I remember Danny [jockey] got a hug from mom when he dismounted, I don't know too many 4th place finishers that happens for," continues Jeff. In her next start she finished 3rd and set the tone for her running style for the majority of her career. "She didn't have a lot of speed as a 5 year old, but she was such a game mare. We had little choice but to sit back, take all the dirt and come running at the end. She NEVER stopped trying; I never had a jock slide off her not smiling. I always knew leading her up to the saddling paddock that she would give her all for that race, and looking back I am really starting to appreciate how rare that is." Perhaps one of Emaranta's most memorable races was one she didn't win, coming from 17 lengths back with just one horse beat in just over an eighth of a mile to finish 3rd.

2008, however, proved to be her best season as a 7 year old mare. With Jeff being out of town at the start of the meet, training duties were turned over Ricky Collier, though the mare was still stalled at the farm and would ship in for gallops, works and races. "She was still maturing and showing more speed at the end of 2007, this really developed in 2008," states Jeff. "She was working 3 furlongs in 39 and change, which is really "speed horse" type times. After the second race of the season where she tried to go wire to wire and faded in the stretch, I talked to Ricky about how I had some luck taking her back early in the race. I figured with her new found speed she could lay a little closer, which would leave less to do at the end. I credit Ricky with a superb training job, and the openness to give it a shot."

Another key addition was Kim Collier who not only was on Emaranta in the mornings, but also as became her regular jockey. Kim developed a strong attachment to Emaranta and, more importantly, a lot of faith in her abilities. All of this led to Emaranta's best race on July 11, 2008. After an alert start, she settled back and continued to be passed around the far turn. The race announcer even called, "a fading WA Miss Emaranta…" at one point in the race, but Emaranta was only waiting for Kim to ask her to run. "She was just moving so relaxed, I just let those others go on, just wanted to stay close. As we were by the 3/8ths pole and coming out of the turn, they just started coming back to us," explains Kim. "I let Emaranta out a notch and yelled, 'Come on Em, let's go get this thing.' She just took off!" Emaranta made the lead by the eighth pole and she won by an ever increasing margin of 6 ½ lengths at the wire. Included in the field were future stakes placed Dancers Misty Reign and multiple winner Finally Sue.

Emaranta ended her career as she began it with only her second start against the boys in a two turn allowance race on a brutally hot July day. Emaranta finished 4th, but in her trademark style, she came from last and was still closing at the wire beating out notable multiple allowance winners like The Tunisian Prince. She was so spent after crossing the line, Kim hopped off to steady her. "She gave everything she had to try and catch those colts," related Ricky. "Nobody can knock this mare, had she been born a little straighter in the front she probably could have been one of the greats."

At this point, the family decided that Emaranta had done more than enough and was retired from the track. "She was never bred to be a race horse," says Bob Wintersteen. "We were just trying to breed a good horse. She was sent to the track in the Polish tradition prove her soundness, courage, and stamina – we think she did that pretty decisively. In addition to her athletic abilities, she is one of the kindest and sweetest mares of the farm. She will be future broodmare for us." Emaranta is *Emanor's first winner on US soil, the only other winner was in Poland. Emaranta's dam, Melissa SA is dam of 5 foals for the Wintersteens', including Colorado Futurity Champion Filly WA Miss Mirabell. Emaranta is Melissa's first foal to race. Melissa's dam is Canadian Top Ten Mare and Canadian Top Ten English Pleasure Horse Mustamagic. WA Miss Emaranta's first mating is undecided.

Love N' War Arabians is proud to announce the arrival of our first *Equifor foal.

Pamiatka (Emanor X Panda VF) 2001 gave us a lovely bay filly. Pamiatka will be rebred to *Equifor for a 2010 foal.

Also announcing a grey filly by MS Firedevil x Gdazzle. Gdazzle is 25 years old, she will be rebred to MS Firedevil also. Gdazzle is a Gdansk daughter, MS Firedevil is out of a Gdansk daughter.

Visit our website or email Billie at BILLIEGLOSSER @ aol.com

Pianosa (Eukaliptus X Pinia By Probat) 1998 Mare – dam of Pianissima

Dick Reed (Toskhara Arabians) was working on past photos from Poland and came across some photos he had taken of PIANOSA in 2005.

She is the dam of PIANISSIMA by Gazal Al Shaqab who has won all of the major Championships in the World.

From Mr. Reed: "I think it is always interesting to study the parents of very high quality progeny. Certainly Gazal Al Shaqab has been presented in photo innumerable times. Here are a few photos of Pianosa."

Pianosa passed away from colic a couple of years ago. She was still a young mare and it was a very sad loss for the Polish breeding program.

*TA Monet+ (Gazal Al Shaqab X Marieta By Arbil), --2004 Polish Stallion

In 2003 we purchased MARIETA (Arbil X Miranda by El Paso)1991 bred by Michalow State Stud, at the Polish Auction.

Marieta is a big powerful mare, with lots of trot.

She came in foal and produced a colt by GAZAL AL SHAQAB that we named *TA MONET.

We showed him some in halter as a colt. He did OK but never was a competitive big time halter horse.

He really came into his own when we started training him under saddle and found that he had a real aptitude for dressage.

He was Reserve Champion Training Level 14-17 at the Youth Nationals out of 49 horses. This is a pretty impressive for a four year old stallion in his third show. He was ridden by Kaylan Herbst.

After the Cowtown Classic horse show two weeks ago he has accumulated enough achievement points to be awarded a Legion of Honor, so from now on he will be *TA MONET+

Gazal Al Shaqab is known as a halter horse sire but at least in this case he has demonstrated his ability to produce a high quality performance horse.

Dick & Christine Reed
Toskhara Arabians
7429 Grubbs Road
Aubrey, Texas 76227
www.toskhara.com

A filly by CA Dillon x Rucellaa was born on St. Patrick's Day to
Tom and Susan Crossen of Crossen Arabians.

The Crossens had purchased the dam, Rucellaa, last year as her pedigree and athletic abilities reflected their own herd sire's.

" We couldn't be happier with this Polish filly. She's exactly what we had hoped for in looks, athleticism, and temperament "

Regards,
Susan Crossen
www.crossenarabians.com

DH Dallas - *Bask X Borrneyna (sired by Naborr x Kamferneyn - double Ferseyn) one of the last *BASK sons still producing!

Comment from his caretaker... Mason Arabians... "If you know of anyone interested in breeding to this old boy I would be grateful for the referral as unfortunately time is marching on with such an old treasure and not too many people know "HE" is on this earth"

Dallas will turn 30 in April - he still looks 1/2 his age! He is a very kind horse... we have 5 of his babies here on the farm, we are located on Cape Cod, Mass. 10 miles west of the Cape Cod Canal and about 10 miles north of New Bedford, Mass.

Dallas' mother Borrneyna was shown with her 1/2 brother Kaborr by David Boggs at the Salon Du Cheval-Paris world champion show (the article is in the Arabian Horse World march 1980). Kaborr was crowned World champion of Europe and Borrneyna placed in her class of mares 7yrs and older – 3rd.

Dallas tail-female line is double Ferseyn. He very much looks his pedigree, all his foals that I have see over this last 25+ years have been an up-grade over every mare he was put to.

Take advantage of this RARE opportunity.. standing this year only at public stud, private treaty, live cover only, to a limited number of approved mares. Serious inquires only please.

Please contact via email: masonarabians @ gmail.com

We'd like to congratulate Chase TheWind AH for winning the 2008 Distance Horse of the Year Award!  Please see the attached letter.

Website: SuDarArabians.com

Steve Pekary with *Equifor...both in winter coats.
*Equifor (*Gazal al Shaqab x *Eqviria by Pers) is in the US for only 2009 season.

Two Thousand Nine looks like a good year for it is starting off with numerous auspicious events!

Canterbury Farm has made an alliance with multi-talented trainer and friend, Steve Pekary, to manage and train here. Steve has had his own successful training and breeding farm, which headlined stallions such as Talisman Bey and Bey Rumm. For a number of years he owned a horse hauling business, and later worked with Larry Jones. It is our fortuitous situation to have been on the phone at the right time, and Steve is now a major part of the Canterbury Farm program of providing pure Polish horses who are extremely well bred, athletic, and ready to go to the ring, track, or under saddle. The combined knowledge about the Arabian horse and it's needs with both of us has too many years to add up, nonetheless, suffice it to say that the partnership has a great deal of awareness, perspective, skill and ability...plus we present diversified talents to the Arabian community. Steve will be doing some outside training as well as working with the Polish horses here, and we invite inquiries about the horses at stud, for training, for sale, or evaluation. I am honored to have Steve bring his talents, ethics, and great sense of humor to Canterbury Farm.

The international Champion sire, *Equifor (*Gazal al Shaqab x *Eqviria by Pers) will be standing at stud at Canterbury Farm for the 2009 breeding season. He will return to his home stud, Janow Podlaski, Poland, when the season is finished. His foals are absolutely spectacular and will be shown in 2009. Everyone who had bred to him has been thrilled with the quality, type, size, action and class of what they have received from their own mares bred to him the first year he was here. The second crop of foals (bred in 2008) are about to begin arriving, and we all anticipate another incredible group.

Because of the economy we have decided not to raise *Equifor's breeding fee and will keep it at the 2007 rate. This stallion will eventually become Polish National Champion upon return, and has already garnered Polish National Champion Res. Junior Stallion, Virginia AHA Show Champion Stallion, East Coast Champion Res. Stallion and Region 15 Champion Stallion. He has never looked better as he matures to be a noble, exotic, and classic Polish stallion. We encourage breeders to take advantage of this limited opportunity for he is here for only a short time. When he is gone...he is gone... and it will be Poland who is singing his praises...as well as those wise enough to breed to him!

We are pleased to announce that Gene LaCroix has acquired two young stallions from Canterbury Farm. He will be putting them both into race training (he has been training Thoroughbreds now for a number of years) to begin their careers. Plans are at this point that Piev (*Ganges x Chaca by *El Paso) will continue with his racing career and the second stallion, after the initial race training, will go into English discipline. This handsome and big trotting horse is Parabyl (*Ganges x Paleczka by *Algomej). Both are four year olds, and their destiny is beginning to unfold under the capable hands of Gene. *Ganges was a stakes winner in Poland as well as being Polish Race Sire of the Year and National Champion of Poland and Res. National Champion of the US. Both dams are out of race bred mares and whose bloodlines have proven themselves on the track as well as in performance and halter. Many thanks to Gene for his selection of these two horses and we are all looking forward to seeing them blossom.

Margaret and Joe Graham of NY have purchased *Equifor embryos from the pure Polish mares, *Pieparta (Partner x *Pieczec by Palas) and Wnuczka (*Goliat x *Wijenna by Tallin) for 2009 foals. The Grahams have been wonderful supporters of the Canterbury stallions, breeding numerous times to *Wojslaw and *Goliat as well. We are all hoping for two dynamite fillies! Thank you to Margaret and Joe!

Another very correct *Ganges son has been sold in January 09 to Shannon and Robert Swann. This is their fourth Canterbury Farm horse that is heading for racing under the training of Shannon, and the fifth that they own. This young stallion is a "Secretariat look-alike" in that he is a big, powerful chestnut with great bone, and a huge hip, deep shoulder and heart girth. He still looks like an Arabian in his head, and has a very good disposition. Papyrus is not only by the halter and race champion, *Ganges, but his dam was bred in Poland and by Polish National Champion and Race Sire of the Year, *Wojslaw. Her dam was out of a *Eukaliptus daughter out of an *El Paso daughter, so Papyrus is bred to run and look good doing it. Congratulations to Shannon and Robert and good luck on the track with Pikasso (*Emanor), Egiss (*Ganges), Weritas (*Ganges) and Papyrus as well as with your mare Wienna CF (*Goliat) and her upcoming foal by *Gauguin (*Algomej).

And a special thanks to Billie Glosser who has purchased nine horses from this breeding program and expecting two *Equifor foals this year out of Ardegnia (Negatraz) and Elzunika (*Emanor). These foals will be super being out of a Neg daughter and granddaughter. We are all looking forward to seeing the foals from your new Polish mares also. And thanks for booking three more of your classy ladies in 2009 to *Equifor!

Prowidenz (*Ganges x Pleiadea by *Goliat)  •  Wydzilant (*Ganges x *Wilenka~ full sister to *Wojslaw)

Canterbury Farm invites all those interested to see *Equifor, *Goliat (*Eukaliptus), our BLACK *Ganges son Prowidenz, Wydzilant (*Ganges), and *Ellis (Emigrant), all of whom are at stud. Also come see the group of fine pure Polish horses we have for sale and lease, and definitely to make new, or renew, friendships with Steve, 130 pure Polish Arabians, and all of the rest of us!

Marsha Parkinson
Canterbury Farm at Melfield
Pure Polish Arabian Horses
160 Melfield Lane
Centreville, MD 21617
443.262.9525
equipol @ aol.com

Love N' War Arabians is pleased to announce the arrival of our first 2009 foal.
Bred at Bialka Stud, (Piaff X *Oriwia), foaled January 10, 2009.
His dam *Oriwia was purchased at the 2008 Pride of Poland sale.
The foal will be named OHYA.  This double Eldon colt shows great promise.

VOX - 1991-2009 “Precious are my progeny, for they are the fruits of my history.” It is with a heavy heart that I inform everyone that my longtime companion, riding buddy, and four-legged friend VOX has made his spirit walk to his ancestors. We shared 18 incredible years, from the time of his birth to the end. From a near death experience inflicted by a pack of neighboring dogs as a foal, throughout the months it took to heal and after becoming sound again, to mature and then ride the bush trails just being a horse. Then at age 13 to begin a whole new life as a breeding stallion, becoming the Senior Sire at De-Sharvarll Polish Arabians and proving himself to be the genetic masterpiece he was bred to be. Unique in his pedigree, each year he proved himself over and over to be an exemplary and true breeding stallion. His legacy lives on in his wonderful daughters and a few select sons, who in turn are or will make an impact upon the Arabian breed not just here in Australia, but also overseas. A "quiet achiever " who is for me and all of us at De-Sharvarll Arabians, one of the "Great Ones".

“When you walk the trails where once we rode together,
And scan in vain the dappled path beside you for my shadow,
Or pause where we always did, to gaze across the land,
And seeing the eagle soaring high, reach to caress me with your hand,
And finding nothing, feel sorrow start to steal upon you,
Be still. Close your eyes. Breathe.
Listen for my hoof beats in your heart.
I am not gone but merely walk within you.”
 

The Passing of the “Great Ones”
One of the definitions of the word “great” is “markedly superior in character or quality”. It is this definition we use when referring to those of our unique four-legged friends and companions who we deem as having made some notable or even outstanding contribution. And rightly so!

Sometimes this is made during their lifetime, but more often than not at their passing, especially those not in the forefront of the public eye - the quiet achievers. For this is the time when we actually stop and consciously reflect upon the impact they have had on our lives or will make in the realm of the Arabian horse breed, knowing that this heritage will be carried on through their progeny. And we extend to them the accolades they have so justly earned!

But, perhaps what we do not always consciously acknowledge are the unseen things they have demonstrated to us, like HONESTY - for they are that and hide nothing with subterfuge or illusion: like INTEGRITY - for they are exactly as they were created to be and make no claims to being otherwise: like HONOR - for they have graced our lives and contributed to our personal feelings of worth and success, asking for nothing in return but RESPECT. And hopefully we have fulfilled that!

So, to all those “Great Ones” who have passed I give my heartfelt gratitude, not just for the obvious, but for those “qualities markedly superior in character'. And to those of us who loved, cared for, and shared their lives with them in a good way, I thank you.

Respectfully,
Michael Red Shirt Semchison
http://www.dsarabs.com/