Desert Heritage n.65

DESERT HERITAGEMagazine

Hilal Al Waab was born in 2015 at the legendary Al Waab Stud in Qatar.

He is one of the stunning stars from the collection of straight Egyptian horses bred there by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Thani.

with Giacomo Capacci

His career as a show stallion has been equally successful. Two World Champion titles, several Gold Champion titles in Europe and the Middle East and he is also the sire of Gold Champion foals.

This has resulted in Hilal Al Waab entering the Hall of Fame of Straight Egyptians as a top sire.

His outstanding pedigree is a testament to his success.

Thanks to his owner, Mr Abed S Burqan, we are pleased to announce that Hilal Al Waab is available to breeders in Europe with fresh quality semen.

photos by Bar Hajaj

CA, SCID, LFS clear

Hilal AL WAAB

ANSATA SINAN

SINAN AL RAYYAN

HILAL AL WAAB

AL

MAYDAN-MADHEEN

HP

SHAHNEEKHA

PRINCE FA MONIET

ANSATA NEFARA

SAFIR

ANSATA SHARIFA

MAYSOUN

MESOUDAH M

ANAZA BAY SHAHH

ANAZA DINEEKHA

SHARUBY

WAJBA AL RAYYAN

Desert Heritage Magazine n.65

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

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Editor Alim Editrice snc

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Account Office/Subscription Office

Barbara Belloni amministrazione@alimeditrice.it

Writers

Talitha Bakker

Domenico Bergero

Susan Carden

Urszula Łęczycka

Jennifer Ogden

Cynthia Préfontaine

Monika Savier

Judith Wenning

Pag. 08 KIAHF Arabian Peninsula Horse Show

Pag. 26 Exploring the Heritage

Pag. 46 Beauty, Breeding and Brainstorming

Pag. 71 Rothenberg Stud

Pag. 89 Horace Vernet

Pag. 99 Mycoses

Pag. 104 Ziggy & Maxine Photography

Pag. 116 Agricon Logistic

Digital Artwork

Viviana Castiglioni

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KIAHF 2024 Arabian Peninsula Horse Show

08 - 11 February

by Talitha

The Katara Peninsula Equestrian Championship, held in the picturesque landscapes of the Arabian desert, brought together horse enthusiasts and breeders for a prestigious competition showcasing the beauty and elegance of Arabian horses. The showground was located in Katara Cultural village on the beach side with large VIP area’s and with the beach side left open, the view during the show was extraordinary. Judges for

Mr. Jadaan Basil from Syria, Mr. Schröder Burchard from Germany, Mr. Zaragoza Gimenez Carmelo from Spain, Mrs. Valette Christine from France, Mr. Faraj Elyas Ebrahim from Bahrain, Mr. Moreira Rocco Luiz Antonio from Brazil, Mrs. Annaratone-Ferraroni Maria from Italy, Mr. Machmoum Mohamed from Morocco, Mrs. Schibler Renata from Switzerland, Ms. Amir Aslani Sharzad from Iran, Mr. Rombauer Tamas from Hungary, Mr. Hamza Tarek from Egypt, Mr. Holmes Terry from the United States, Mr. Tarczynski Tomasz from Poland and Mr. Hulshof Ton from The Netherlands. Prizemoney was awarded to the champions including a Mercedes car for the Gold medal champion.

The show started with the yearling fillies. Ten beautiful fillies were shown in the first class horses, each representing a unique lineage and breeding heritage:

Winner with 91.86 points was D Munisah (Baher al Waab x D Omniat) - Owned and bred by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud (UAE). This beautiful filly gave a fantastic show and was later named Bronze medal champion filly in the final yearling filly championships. Second in this class with 91.64 points was Noor Al Nawasi (Noorreddine Ezzain x Nawal al Nasser) – Bred and owned by Ali Alkaabi - Al Nawasi Stud (Qatar). Third in this class with 91.36 points was the big moving filly Remas Umm Aludham (Shagran al Nasser x Bint Moniettaa) - Owned by Nasser Al Hajri - Umm Aludham Stud and bred by Nasser Mohammed Al Hajri, scoring almost perfect 20’s on movement.

The second group of yearling fillies had nine participants. Brooq Al Shaqab clinched the coveted first position with an outstanding score of 92.21 points, showcasing exceptional qualities that impressed the panel of judges. Sired by Shagran Al Nasser and out of Laian Al Shaqab, proudly bred and owned by Al Shaqab Stud of Qatar. Later in the yearling fillies championships, she took the gold medal. Second with an impressive 92.00 points, a testament to the exemplary breeding standards upheld by the participants, was Ghaya El Aliya (Qamar El Zaman Al Waab x Ghezlan Al Waab), bred by El Alia Stud, and currently under the ownership of Abdulaziz Al Thani - Al Hamama Stud. Later in the championships, this filly took the Silver medal. Third in this class with a

Bakker z photos by Giulia Bontempi

noteworthy score of 91.43 points, was Barqa Al Rayyan (Fares Al Rayyan x Kenooz Al Rayyan), proudly bred and owned by Al Rayyan Farm.

The show continued with the yearling colts. Eleven beautiful colts were aiming for the class winning title. Fakher Al Hilaliya, (Adeeb Al Hilaliya x Anqaa Aljazira) - Bred and owned by Barrak Alhajri, impressed the judges with its exemplary qualities and scored a total of 91.93 points overall, with particularly high scores in head and neck. Later in the championships, he took the Silver medal champion. Second in this class with an overall score of 91.50 points was, Batran Al Fahad (Tajweed Al Waab x Sweet Star) bred and owned by Al Fahad Stud, Mr. Rashid Al Mannai from Qatar. Scoring 91.29 points overall, Mansour Al Arab (Basheer Al Waab x Mourjana Al Waab), bred and owned by Mohamed Alkuwari secured the third position in this class.

The second group of yearling colts was a nice big group of thirteen participants. AKM Lusail (Shaheen AA x Aisha) - Bred and owned by Mohammed Mobarek Al Sulaiti, garnered the highest score of 92.36 points, earning near-perfect scores across multiple categories. Its elegant movement and overall presence captivated the judges, securing its well-deserved first place and later the Gold medal championship.

Scoring an impressive 91.50 points, Badr Al Naif (Nasser Al Rayyan x Zeyna Al Naif) bred and owned by Al Naif Stud was placed second.

The third place was for Taim Al Rayyan (Nasser Al Rayyan x Ghuwa Al Rayyan), bred and owned by Al Rayyan Farm scoring a total of 91.29 points.

The 4th and 5th placed horses had the same score of 91.14 points, however it was the beautiful Jerman al Hilaliya (Adeeb al Hilaliya x Azza al Jazira) – bred by Barrak Al Hajri and owned by Al Rayyan Farm, who took the 4th place, scoring a higher total on type. Later in the championships, Jerman made a strong come back and claimed the bronze medal.

The last two classes of the day were the fillies aged two years old. From the ten fillies entered, three were absent, two got sent out lame and one broke loose and got disqualified, leaving only four fillies left to be placed. Winner with 92.21 points was Namara el Aliya (Ansata Nile Echo x Noor al Rayyan). This beautiful typey filly was bred by El Alia Stud and owned by Al Hamama

Stud. Second in this class with 91.57 points was Ghalia al Marroona (Fares al Rayyan x Mayyadah al Shaqab) –bred and owned by Al Marroona Stud.

The second group of two years old fillies had eight participants. Winner with 91.79 points was Hala al Hilaliya (Adeeb al Hilaliya x Anqaa al Jazira) – bred and owned by Barrak al Hajri, scoring almost perfect 20’s on head and neck. Second in this class scoring 91.43 points was Bushra al Danat (Beshr al Sharg x Nagham al Danat) – bred by al Danat Stud and owned by Al Mirage Arabians.

The next day the show started with an impressive group of eleven three years old fillies. All scoring very high. Winner with a massive score of 93.21 points was the amazing Ora Nasamat (Naseem al Rashediah x Bint Sadaf el Asil) – bred and owned by Al Orasia Stud. This filly scored almost perfect 20’s on type, head & neck and movement, reflecting its grace and athleticism. Later in the final championships, she took the silver medal. Second in this class, scoring 93 points was D Abeer (Safeer al Wadi x D Afaf) – bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Stud. Also this filly scored almost perfect scores on multiple categories and was name Bronze medal champion in the final championships.

The last group of junior fillies had nine participants. Winner with 92.93 points was the mesmerizing Leena al Nasser (Naseem al Rashediah x Nadrah al Nasser) – bred and owned by Al Nasser stud. This filly scored perfect 20’s on both type and head & neck and was later named Gold medal champion in the final junior filly championships. Second in this strong class with 92.36 points was D Mashee’ah (Safeer al Wadi x D Masha’a Allah) bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse stud.

The show continued with the boys. Ten junior colts aged 2 years old made their entrance. It was a close score but Mejrin al Salam (Motair al Baidaa x Layan al Salam) bred and owned by Mohammad Alrkhayes, set the highest score with a total of 92.21 points. Coming second with 92 points was Maleeh al Nasser (Nasser al Rayyan x Sarab al Nasser) – bred and owned by Al Nasser stud. Later in the championships, Mejrin took the silver medal, leaving the bronze for Maleeh.

Again a high quality class of colts was up next. This time the three year olds and again a large class with ten participants. It was a battle for the class win as two beautiful colts scored the exact same score of 92.71 points. In the end, it was Nader al Ghanayim (Naseem

al Rashediah x Aljawhara al Danat) – bred and owned by Ayad al Thuwainy, who scored more points in type and took the lead. This left the second place to the overall complete and high quality colt Shehab al Farres (Naseem al Rashediah x Dana al Farres) – bred and owned by Mansoor al Marri. In the final championships, it was Nader who claimed the Gold medal.

An incredible class of senior mares was up next. Ten beautiful mares of the highest quality were shown here at the Katara beach. Winner with a massive score of 93.50 points was the mesmerizing Zeiyan al Nawasi (Al Ameer al Maale x Zahyah al Nwasi) bred and owned by Alnwasi Stud. This mare scored perfect 20’s on type, head and neck and almost a perfect score on movement as well. Second in this class with 93.21 points was D Ameereyyah (Asfoor al Waab x Royal Emira) – bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse stud.

The next day the show continued and so did the quality! Eleven beautiful mares of 7-10 years old graced the beautiful show arena. Clear winner with 93.57 points and later bronze medal champion was Zawaher Fila (Murtajab al Nakeeb x Zahrana) – bred by Fila Stu and owned by Doha Stud. Second with 92.71 points was Zainah al Nawasi (Asfoor al Waab x Zahyah al Nawasi) -bred and owned by Alnwasi Stud.

The last class of senior mares were eight mares of eleven years and older. This class was won by the beautiful D Afaf (Frasera Mashar x Esa Arieanna Express) – bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse stud. This mare also took the Silver medal in the final championships. Second in this class with 93.36 points was the ultra typey Menouah al Rayyan (Fares al Rayyan x Bint

Mesoudah M HP) – bred and owned by Al Rayyan Farm. This mares scored perfect 20’s on type, head and neck and later in the championships, she took revenge and claimed the Gold medal!

The show continued with a huge class of twelve senior stallions aged four to six years. It was a strong battle for the top honors but in the end, the big moving stallion D Tarooq (Asfoor al Waab x D Arena) – bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse stud, took the lead with a total of 93.36 points, leaving the second place to the beautiful GJ Faheem (Naseem al Rashediah x Hadiya al Shahania) bred and owned by Glenn Jacobs and leased by Sabha Stud with a total score of 93.29 points. Later in the championships, Faheem took his revenge and claimed the Gold medal, leaving the silver to Tarooq.

The last class of the day was the stallion aged seven years and older. Again a nice strong class with eleven stallions. Winner with 92.36 points and later Bronze medal champion was Dhari al Zobair (Al Fayed x Rayhana al Zobair) – bred by Nasfer al Hajri and owned by Fuwairat Stud. Second with 92.29 points was Najdi al Shakhoura (Naif al Rayyan x Falha al Rayyan) – bred and owned by Al Shakhoura Farm.

The Katara Peninsula Equestrian Championship was a resounding success, celebrating the timeless beauty and heritage of Arabian horses. The event not only honored the remarkable talents of the participating horses but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and appreciation among horse enthusiasts and breeders. As the sun set on the Katara beach, the championship left an enduring legacy, inspiring reverence for the majestic Arabian horse for generations to come. q

Arabian Peninsula Horse Show

Gold Medal Yearling Fillies

BROOQ

AL SHAQAB

SHAGRAN AL NASSER X LAIAN AL SHAQAB - B/O: AL SHAQAB

Silver

Medal Yearling Fillies

GHAYA EL ALIYA

QAMAR EL ZAMAN AL WAAB X GHEZLAN AL WAAB

B: EL ALIA STUD

O: ABDULAZIZ AL THANI - AL HAMAMA STUD

Bronze

Medal Yearling Fillies D MUNISAH

BAHER AL WAAB X D OMNIAT

B/O: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD

Gold Medal Yearling Colts AKM LUSAIL

SHAHEEN AA X AISHA - B/O: MOHAMMED MOBAREK AL SULAITI

Silver Medal Yearling Colts FAKHER AL HILALIYA

ADEEB AL HILALIYA X ANQAA ALJAZIRA

B/O: BARRAK ALHAJRI

Bronze Medal Yearling Colts JERMAN AL HILALIYA

ADEEB AL HILALIYA X AZZA ALJAZIRA

B: BARRAK YAQOUB IBRAHIM ALHAJRI

O: AL RAYYAN FARM

Arabian Peninsula Horse Show

Gold Medal Junior Fillies

LEENA AL NASSER

NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH X NADRAH AL NASSER - B/O: AL NASSER STUD

Silver Medal Junior Fillies

ORA NASAMAT

NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH X BINT SADAF EL ASIL

B/O: AL ORASIA STUD

Bronze Medal Junior Fillies D A’BEER

SAFEER AL WADI X D AFAF

B/O: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD

Gold Medal Junior Colts

NADER AL GHANAYIM

NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH X ALJAWHARA ALDANAT - B: AYAD ABDULMOHSEN FAISAL ALTHUWAINI O: AYAD ALTHUWAINY

Silver Medal Junior Colts

MEJRIN

AL SALAM

MOTAIR AL BAIDAA X LAYAN AL SALAM

B/O: MOHAMMAD HAMAD MOHAMMAD ALRKHAYESI

Bronze Medal Junior Colts

MALEEH AL NASSER

NASSER AL RAYYAN X SARAB AL NASSER

B/O: AL NASSER STUD

Arabian Peninsula Horse Show

Gold Medal Senior Mares

MENOUAH AL RAYYAN

FARES AL RAYYAN X BINT MESOUDAH M HP - B/O: AL RAYYAN FARM

Silver Medal Senior Mares D AFAF

FRASERA MASHAR X ESA ARIEANNA EXPRESS

B/O: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD STUD

Bronze Medal Senior Mares ZAWAHER FILA

MURTAJAB AL NAKEEB X ZAHRANA

B: FILA STUD - O: SHEIK THANI BIN HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL THANI - DOHA STUD

Gold Medal Senior Stallions GJ

FAHEEM

Silver Medal Senior Stallions

D TAROOQ

ASFOOR AL WAAB X D ARENA

B/O: DUBAI ARABIAN HORSE STUD

Bronze Medal Senior Stallions DHARI AL ZOBAIR

AL FAYED X RAYHANA AL ZOBAIR

B: MESFER MOHAMMED M A AL HAJRI

O: NASSER ALKUWARI - FUWAIRAT STUD

NASEEM AL RASHEDIAH X HADIYA AL SHAHANIA - B: GLENN JACOBS - O: SABHA STUD

Orienta Arabians presents...

Orienta Aysha

Photo: Judith Wenning

(Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Ansata Azali)

2005 Straight Egyptian

Kuhaylan Rodan Strain - Riyala - Malaka Family

Photo: Judith Wenning (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Ansata Azali)

NATURAL IS THE NEW

Exploring thE hEritagE

A Journey Through Qatar’s Straight Egyptian

by JEnnifEr ogdEn and Monika SaviEr

Photo: Monika SaviEr

Undoubtedly, the importance of the horse runs deep within the Qatari culture, with a rich ancestral history intertwined with the Arabian breed. Horses have long been an integral part of their early life and cultural identity, and in the last 30 years many Qataris are now enjoying a newfound interest in their heritage, particularly with the Straight Egyptian Arabian. In recent years, Arabian horses have increasingly come to represent their cultural identity. They stand for authenticity and the preservation of the nomadic history of their ancestors.

Events with Arabian horses, whether at shows or in sport, have been important for centuries for social cohesion among breeders. The

exchange of ideas, experiences, and results is necessary because the breeding of horses takes years and generations before realistic results can be generally accepted. This also includes celebrating together, doing business and much more. The straight Egyptian breeding community is a large international family in which social differences hardly play a role when it comes to the horses. It’s all about a shared passion for horse breeding and riding. Today, this analogue world of “come together” has largely been replaced by digital communication via live streaming and social media. This makes it all the more important that the culture of real-life get-togethers continues to

Egyptian Arabian Horse Breeding Farms

“After 50 years in this Arabian Community, I have seen valleys, plateaus and peaks in the breed. The straight Egyptian Arabian is holding its own, but it is in need of serious leadership and breeder education worldwide, as well as some non-competitive activities that can bring people together. The show ring isn’t everything; winning isn’t everything. The relationships between people are everything! Without people who get along and are like-minded, the breed cannot prosper”

JudITh ForbIs, 2013

be facilitated and cultivated in the Gulf States. The connections made with fellow horse enthusiasts from many countries, sharing stories and experiences, and exemplifying the renowned hospitality of Qatar, created unforgettable moments of socialising and cultural exchange.

Following the Peninsular Horse Show for Straight Egyptian Arabians held at the Katara International Horse Festival in February, guests from around the globe enjoyed not only this spectacular event showcasing horses from the region, but also a journey into Qatari hospitality and the opportunity to visit some of the renowned breeding farms.

Through time and tradition visitors embarked on a captivating farm tour, beginning with the open house presentations in the following outstanding studs.

Al NAsser sTud * Al rAyyAN FArm * Al HAmAmA sTud Al WAAb FArm * doHA sTud

From the mists of the past, the contours of the Arabian horse began to emerge as it gradually found a home back on the Arabian Peninsula. When Al Nasser Stud was founded in 1990 by Sheikh Nawaf Bin Nasser Al Thani, the new era of straight Egyptians had already begun to take root in the Middle East. At that time, the major studs in Qatar were on the lookout for Arabians with a noble heritage in order to preserve the history of the nomadic desert Arabians and to continue the breeding of these Arabians in their stud farms.

The famous Al Rayyan Farm is owned by HH Sheikh Hamid Bin Khalifa AL Thani. Being the oldest Straight Egyptian breeding establishment in Doha it was established by Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdulla Al Thani more than 30 years ago, and now stands at the forefront of Straight Egyptian breeding, with many Al Rayyan bred horses forming the foundation for breeders within the region and worldwide.

From there, the journey meandered northward to Al Hamama Stud, a relatively new breeding program owned by Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Saoud Al Thani, his attention to detail was obvious, guests were treated to amazing hospitality and the horses were a true insight to Sheikh Abdulaziz foresight and quest for the highest quality.

The following day guests enjoyed the splendour of Doha Stud presentation, owned by HE Sheikh Thani Bin Hamad Al Thani, this was an evening that many will never forget. The audience was completely captivated by not only the quality of horses but the presentation and magical atmosphere. No one wanted it to end.

The tour finished with Al Waab Farm, owned by HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khaled Al Thani, it emerges as a beacon of excellence in the world of Straight Egyptian breeding. Renowned for their meticulous dedication to preservation breeding, Al Waab Farm holds a prestigious reputation as the home of several of the famous Straight Egyptian Arabians.

Under the azure skies of Qatar, it became abundantly clear to all those that visited, that some of the world’s finest Straight Egyptian Arabian horses grace these shores. Each a testament to the dedication and reverence for the breed that permeates every aspect of Qatari equestrian culture.

There is no doubt that the Qataris love their horses and they have a long ancestral history of life with the Arabian breed.

Al NAsser sTud

Al rAyyAN FArm

Al WAjbA sTud

Nasser Al Mansouri, General Manager of Al Wajba Stud, invited me to visit this new hotspot, a centre of Arabian horse breeding at a high level. After a drive to the north of Doha, we come across an oasis, belonging to Sheikh Al Qaqa bin Hamad Al Thani. Paddocks shaded by trees with mares and foals impress visitors. Noble stables with large boxes and green pastures make this place a feelgood gesture for the horses.

In addition to a few world-famous Show horses from the Open Show scene, the stud has up to now six excellent Straight Egyptians, which I was happy to see.

“There are still too few for an Open House,” says Nasser. I asked him which of the famous studs in Qatar has the strongest influence on Al Wajba Stud’s goals. “Al Rayyan is the oldest and has a strong influence, but the young Sheikh Thani, founder of DOHA Stud, is the one whose expertise influences us the most,” says Nasser Al Mansouri.

When I ask him how he envisages the future of Al Wajba and what the breeding goal is, he says: “Nice horses first of all. We don’t look much to the pedigrees. We started with four mares from Al Rayyan stud, one from Al Nasser stud and one from Al Waab stud. I know that out of these bloodlines, many good horses are coming, but I want to do something new with many out-crosses. Of course you can make mistakes sometimes, but breeding is when you try something new. My goal is to breed the perfect horse”.

The Straight Egyptians in Qatar are exquisite horses. The root mares and stallions have been selected and imported from the best stud farms in Europe and the USA. It is hard to imagine that the young, wealthy breeders still have goals and are looking for even more perfection.

Nasser adds: We have many beautiful horses with nice heads, but in my opinion the straight Egyptians in Qatar are losing movement and neck. I am looking for stallions that can improve our mares. We recognise the efforts of the previous breeders who gave us the foundation mares. Now we want to continue the legacy of these horses and breed even better”.

I asked him: “Do you prefer to present your horses at horse Shows or do you like showing them more at home in an Open House with lots of guests?”

“I prefer the outdoor Show because I like the competition. Nevertheless, I also like the Open House at home, but I still need some judges to teach me about our horses,” says Nasser, “but I hope that one day I can participate in the Open Shows with our straight Egyptian horses and win.”

Al HAmAmA sTud

jennifer ogden interviewed sheikh Abdulmajeed bin Abdulla Al Thani from Al Waab Farm, and sheikh Abdulaziz bin saoud Al Thani from Al Hamama stud, with some thought-provoking questions.

The Al Waab stud has a big name in the world of straight Egyptian Arabian breeders. What is the importance of Arabian horse breeding for the royal house in Doha?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: Arabian horses are treasured for their heritage and history that have been passed down to us, and it has always been our goal to preserve them for generations to come.

How and according to what criteria were the foundation horses selected?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: At the beginning of establishing our breeding program, an extensive study was conducted on a worldwide level to reach the best of the best mares and stallions from distinguished pedigrees and families. My father Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalid saw to it that Al Waab gathers the finest mares to build our breeding program. The same not only goes for mares, but also for the process of selecting our stallions. After acquiring them, it has been our goal to prepare an environment where these precious gems will be living and to build a team of professionals that will take care of them.

sheikh Abdulaziz: Our foundation horses were selected based on a set of stringent criteria including their lineage, conformation, temperament, and performance records. The primary goal was to ensure that these horses not only had impeccable bloodlines but also exhibited the characteristics that epitomize the breed's beauty and resilience. We conducted extensive consultations with breed experts and utilized detailed genetic and health screenings.

The stud presentation was enormously important for the guests from all over the world to see and learn where the breeding of Egyptian Arabians is kept at a high level today. Isn't a stud presentation with mare families much more informative than the show presentation of the individual horse competition?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: The Al Waab Farm’s presentation in my view has more than one goal, the first one is it being a meeting place for the best Straight Egyptian horses in the world. A place where upcoming breeders and veterans to meet and exchange ideas and experiences, all whilst enjoying the beauty of purebred Arabian horses. A second aim is it being an opportunity to showcase the way generations of Straight Egyptian horses have developed in Al Waab and showcase how they will serve breeders around the world to maintain this rare breed at its best levels.

sheikh Abdulaziz: I believe that the stud presentations featuring mare families provide a deeper insight into our breeding program, more so than individual horse competitions. It also allows the guests to observe the consistency of the family traits within the pedigree. It helps our guests to understand the importance of preserving and enhancing the bloodlines of Egyptian Arabians.

Preservation Breeding: What criteria do you use to select a stallion for your mares? Do you primarily refer to the pedigree? Or do you also consider the health and functionality of the stallion to match the mare, to keep the breed healthy in the long term?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: The selection of stallions is subject to more than one criterio. It is a large and deep topic, but there are several points that should be considered. There are main stallions that are integrated in body form and muscular strength and structure all whilst presenting the breed’s Arabian identity in the face. Also, there are sub-stallions that have strong genetic imprint in specific points. They are used carefully to develop certain generations to achieve a certain goal.

Al WAAb FArm

sheikh Abdulaziz: In selecting a stallion for our mares, we consider several factors. The pedigree is crucial as it helps preserve the lineage integrity, but equally important is the health and functionality of the stallion. We aim for a balance that ensures genetic diversity while also minimizing health risks, we believe this will promote the long-term viability and wellness of our horses.

In the Middle East and especially Qatar there are many and mostly very good straight Egyptians. Communication and trade with Europe and the USA, has come to a standstill, with a few exceptions. How will the many social contacts and friendships between the studs in the East and West be able to continue?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: The relationships formed and built throughout the years between the breeders from the east and the west is a vital one. It is essential that communication never comes to a halt across, so the new generations can benefit from this long connection.

sheikh Abdulaziz: I believe that despite the challenges in direct trade and communication with Europe and the USA, we will continue to maintain and build international relationships by using digital platforms. Virtual conferences are a great idea, and of course social media, such as Instagram are an integral part of communication

Will the stud presentations remain the only possibility for a "come together" or are there new ideas for a worldwide co-operation and friendship?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: There many more ideas that can be beneficial to breeders than a stud’s presentation. Unfortunately, the goal of most breeders has been to win and participate in shows, which has led to a breeder’s narrative being limited to one direction. I agree that shows should be a goal and motive in a breeder’s aspirations, but there are also other factors to grow. Educational forums should be created in regard to correct nutrition for the Arabian horse, appropriate medical care, and creating lectures and meetings with distinguished educators to gain experiences and knowledge.

sheikh Abdulaziz: While stud presentations are a cornerstone for gathering and sharing knowledge, we are exploring new avenues for international cooperation. This includes virtual stud tours, global webinars, and cooperative breeding programs that can be managed through digital platforms, allowing us to maintain and expand our global network in the Arabian horse community.

Will you be experimenting with a broader blood base, and if not, why do you choose not to include other blood lines?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: Here in Al Waab Farm, we are dedicated to Egyptian Arabian horses, which are the rarest bloodlines in the world, as they represent less than 3% of the world’s Arabian breed, this means that you have a special and rare creature. So how can I mix it and make it like all other ones? I think it is a mistake, and this is not a question of the beauty of the other Arab breeds. But for me, I love to preserve this rare breed developing them to compete with the large number of other breeds worldwide.

sheikh Abdulaziz: Our focus remains on breeding Straight Egyptians, a decision that stems from our commitment to preserving the unique attributes of this line. While broader genetic mixing can introduce variability and vigour, our priority is to maintain the historical purity and distinctive qualities of the Egyptian Arabians, which are valued both culturally and aesthetically."

Why do you breed Straight Egyptians; do you believe in showing them or do you see them as preservation breeding of the Bedouin breed?

sheikh Abdulmajeed: I think I answered it in a previous question. Behind each Straight Egyptian horse is a

story, because every horse has a true trace in history that dates to the Arab tribes from a long period of time. As I explained earlier, it is an honour to be able to breed such horses and it falls upon us breeders to maintain this history.

sheikh Abdulaziz: We breed straight Egyptians not only to preserve the historical lineage of these magnificent animals but also to showcase their unique traits through competitions. These horses are a living link to the Bedouin breed's heritage, and our breeding program is as much about preservation as it is about celebrating their enduring elegance and resilience in modern displays.

What are your thoughts on embryo transfer (ET,) do you see it as an essential part of the future of the Arabian horse breeding.

sheikh Abdulmajeed: It is essential with special cases for mares and stallions with certain health conditions that prevent them from producing, if the horse’s health comes first of course. It is a privilege to have such technology. But only in these certain circumstances and nothing else.

sheikh Abdulaziz: I believe that Embryo transfer is a valuable tool, it offers us numerous benefits and opportunities particularly allowing us to breed our exceptional mares to a broader range of stallions. It is particularly useful when mares cannot carry due to health problems and or injury. I believe it is indeed a pivotal part of the future in Arabian horse breeding, ensuring the continuation of high-quality lineage while safeguarding animal welfare.

doHA sTud

Sheikh Thani Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s passion for Arabian horses and breeding has been a lifelong journey. Following the tradition of the Qatari royal family, who began importing Arabian horses to the Arabian Peninsula in the 1980s, Sheikh Thani has carved his own path. In 2020, he established the esteemed Doha Stud, focusing on Straight Egyptian Arabians of the highest quality. With twenty young mares, two stallions, and ten offspring, the stud embodies his commitment to quality.

Sheikh Thani’s dedication extends beyond borders as he scoured renowned stables from Europe, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, including Al Rayyan Farm and Al Waab farm for the finest broodmares for his modern breeding program. His approach blends established bloodlines with Straight Egyptians of various origins, showcasing both tradition and innovation. The initial success of his offspring in shows is a testament to his vision and perseverance.

When discussing the role of shows in educating and supporting breeders, Sheikh Thani offers an insightful perspective. While he’s no stranger to the show ring and has enjoyed success, he prefers to evaluate the horses in their natural habitat on the breeder’s or owner’s farms. There, he can observe the sire and dam, even, study progeny, and gain a deeper understanding of the breeding program. However, he doesn’t discount the potential of shows to serve as platforms for celebrating breeding achievements, to promote the ideal horse, and to recognize excellence.

In crafting his own breeding program, despite the impossibility of perfection, he emphasises the significance of conformation, pedigree, and form-to-function, always striving for continual improvement despite the inherent challenges.

Where a wise woman is not valued, wisdom is lost. “ “

Beauty, Breeding and Brainstorming The Female Perspective

By Monika Savier

Photos: Monika Savier,Private Archive

Editing:

Susan Carden

Six women sharing their thoughts. Their experience, wisdom, and passion for the Arabian horse has led to these interesting discussions. Breeding Arabian horses is an endless fusion of love, education, hard work, hope, vision of the future, business, marketing, and the needs of modern digitalisation, to achieve the right blend for success. Elder breeders began with an apprenticeship of learning animal management, riding, natural breeding, and agriculture in a rural environment. Whereas today’s breeders require quicker results, meaning that knowledge tends to come from reproduction technology and digital social media communications. Today the modern ‘need for speed’ of results has led more to a situation akin to gambling, with few winners and many losers. The following three interviews may give present day breeders ‘Food for thought,’ and ideas for ways to succeed.

Susan Carden

“Today’s show ring is not where to learn about Arabian horses”.

Monika Savier talks with Cynthia Culbertson, Jennifer Ogden and Eileen Verdieck in Doha.

Monika: We are all veterans in the show scene and breeder’s world. Let’s reflect about what has changed in this century and why?

Eileen: I think the first major change leading us to today was about 25 - 30 years ago when breeders from around the world started to purchase and import some of the best SE horses from the United States and Europe to the Gulf and Middle East Region. This caused each country to lose diversity in an already closed gene pool. Many of the great SE breeders around the world, were aging out, which caused many valuable bloodlines to be lost to many countries.

Cynthia: I think Eileen has a point regarding diversity. I would say that in a broader sense, globalization has changed the show scene considerably. This has often meant that the same horses win in many countries, and while more people see them, the downside has been a loss of diversity. When the same sire and dam lines are suddenly popular around the world, everyone becomes attuned to that look because it is winning, and then begins breeding towards it. There has always been diverse type within the breed, and to me this is an essential element that needs to be sustained.

Jennifer: I don’t think it’s the only thing that’s caused the loss of diversity. I think that we have superstar horses that everybody wants to breed to and the use of artificial breeding has had a big effect.

Monika: But can we believe that these ‘superstars’ became superstars in a selective way?

Eileen: Some of them, but most become superstars due to their show ring success or favoured bloodlines

and new breeders breed to them sometimes not really studying if that stallion is the correct choice for their mare(s).

Jennifer: Some are, for sure. For me, the biggest worry is the lack of diversity, and the fact that our colts are worthless, because everybody wants to breed to a ‘superstar’ – the Show ring or marketing perception has made them a Superstar - and I feel that is the biggest change to our industry in the last 10 years, and the biggest challenge.

Cynthia: I think that people who have observed great breeders and great horses over time, certainly understand many of our greatest breeding horses would never have necessarily been a champion show horse. So, to not give a chance to some of these horses simply because they didn’t win big in the show ring,

Jennifer Ogden, Cynthia Culbertson, Eileen Verdieck, Monika Savier

or don’t fit a narrow definition of type, is really losing some wonderful horses that might be great sires of champions and superior contributors to the breed.

Jennifer: Sometimes the best and the most beautiful mares will not produce as well as the plainer sister. Many of the great breeders of the past understood this and gave value to these mares, as a result some of the greatest horses have been then result of these breeding choices. Unfortunately, these days it seems for many people that it is more about the show win and these horses that do not make the show ring become obsolete or of no or little value.

Eileen: You know, when I started a long time ago, before Imperial, I got involved with Straight Egyptians, they were very rare, for any quality, you had to pay a pretty good amount of money for just a breeding horse much less a show horse. We had to really travel and study to learn as much as we could to be successful breeders and we learned to value a breeding horse actually more than a show horse as most breeders could only afford breeding quality.

I worry now that not enough breeders believe in the value of a breeding horse, that isn’t a show horse. So, it creates less diversity as there is less appreciation of non-show horses.

Many of the horses that I’ve been lucky to breed were definitely not stellar horses, but it made us very responsible about how we bred.

Eileen, Jennifer, Cornelia

The women interviewed expressed concern about the harsh presentation of some horses in the stand-up pose at shows. In their view, while some trainers use gentler methods, others employ considerably harder techniques. Overall, there’s a consensus among the women for a shift towards a more relaxed approach, benefiting the horse’s well-being and the accuracy of assessment.

We had to think and study and not just blindly follow. And that’s what I probably miss the most, from when I got involved in the early 70’s. You had all these independent breeders that were very independent thinkers, they didn’t just follow the other breeders without learning as much as they could. At that time those breeders gave us diversity which allowed more choices or colours on their pallets to paint a masterpiece.

Jennifer: But we’re losing many breeders.

Monika: We also lose breeders because many are not able to participate on the economic level, which is needed to win a show.

There is a parallel market of, let me say, romantic losers. For instance, like me, because I say, “Oh, in addition to all my horse show costs, I cannot buy a VIP table and two pages of advertisement in the programme.” I think that the one thing that strongly influences opinion about show horses, is the media world with which people who have the money can produce a vision of a horse. Now with artificial intelligence, it’s even worse.

Eileen: Oh, I agree. I agree with that to a degree.

Monika: What can breeders do to get visibility in a low key way ?

Eileen: Go see the horse and as many of its ancestors on descendants or ask someone who is more experienced and knowledgeable for advice.

Jennifer: Exactly. I remember when I was breeding, I would never breed to a stallion without going and seeing it and seeing the progeny, and I studied the pedigrees to ensure they would be a complimentary breeding choice for my mares, not just on phenotype, but also pedigree. Of course, I took risks on young stallions, but I always assessed both the parents and grandparents to try and understand the family traits. This often involved even more travel, I learnt so much by doing this, visiting other breeding programs is the best learning curve, plus it had an added advantage of being a social thing too - that was a big part…

Monika: Everyone is talking about the stallions and never the mares they ask “from which sire is that mare or foal?” that’s always the first question. Experienced breeders know the mare is more important.

Eileen: I believe and respect the mare more than the stallion. The broodmare is the foundation where the stallion should be used to compliment the mare.

Jennifer: Yes, it’s a mare’s world.

Cynthia: And the other thing I would add is that horse breeding is a long-term generational endeavour. Today, we are in a world where so many are used to an instant result. None of us are immune to wanting instant gratification, but breeding horses is the polar opposite of that.

I would love to see people think in terms of generations in breeding – to be willing to say “Yes, in the first

Eileen, speaker during the presentation at Doha Stud

Empowering woman uniting through the Arabian Horse. Jennifer Ogden, Eileen Verdieck, Michelle Lando, Shari Williams, Judith Forbis, Cynthia Culbertson, Karen Kasper

generation I may lose that particular head that people like, and the result won’t win in the show ring today, but in future generations I will move forward with horses that can be successful and still be contributors to the breed in a positive way.”

Jennifer: In my own breeding program, I had developed free-moving shoulders and large elastic nostrils, low-set eyes, and curly ears. When looking for an outcross, I was always scared to detract from these traits that I had worked years for, but I soon learned that breeding was often about pieces of perfection. Sometimes I had to makes sacrifices and understand that you must step backwards to take that step forward. For instance, I needed to clean up the throats a little more, I had to lose on some of the traits I desired to get what I needed or to bring in that family trait within the pedigree. As Cynthia says, many people want that immediate result, and will only breed the best of the best to the best of the best without understanding what lies beneath within the pedigree and it doesn’t always work, in my opinion to be a true breeder you must be patient.

Eileen: Also genetically, that doesn’t always work.

Monika: Why are there not more women handlers? I mean, wouldn’t they do a good job?

Eileen: Well, I was a handler in my earlier days but there are not many women trainers in the world today.

Monika: I know, you were one of the very rare ones.

Eileen: Thank you, Monika. Well, not in our country. You had more women handlers in Europe. When I was training in the United States, there were only two professional female halter handlers. I was surprised how many female handlers there were in Europe in the 80’s & 90’s. There were many. But now they’re gone too.

Monika: No, they’re not gone, but being a woman they don’t have clients from the Middle East, I suppose.

Jennifer: Some female handlers can be tough, too. It’s not all the men.

Eileen: Well, I think we all grow and change. The fun thing was going to Europe and the Middle East. The Middle East didn’t exist at that point. It was only Europe, in terms of breeding Arabian horses and showing them.

As Americans, who were judged on the stand-up, as a performance class, we found that we could be softer in the stand-up especially if you were going to get a good trot too.

Monika: In Europe, the USA and Australia, it is a matter of course that women ride and many also breed horses. Will breeding change as the focus is now on the Middle East? Do women there financially and culturally have little opportunity to have their own stud?

Do you see a difference in the method and the result when women are responsible for their own stud?

Jennifer: There absolutely are woman breeders and Arab women endurance riders in the Middle East, you do not always get to meet them due to cultural differences, but they exist. Many wives also have an invested interest and are very involved. Women are probably more passionate and to be honest it is the passion that will always make the difference.

Cynthia: I can’t speak to all of the countries in the Middle East, but in Egypt and the Arabian Gulf, there have always been women breeders and riders. Perhaps not as visible, but they are dedicated and passionate. In Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, in particular,

I have met several astute women breeders, and I know of breeders in the other Gulf countries as well. Sometimes I believe the women are perhaps more likely to get joy from riding and breeding than competition, so you don’t necessarily meet these women when you are an international guest at a show. There can be no doubt that women around the world have contributed tremendously when in comes to breeding. In the U.S., for example, you could make a case that the Arabian horse community has so many women we could use a few more men for balance! In the Middle East and Arabian Gulf there are perhaps some cultural considerations as to visibility, but certainly there is financial opportunity in the Gulf! To me, the Arabian is now a global horse. There are always cycles. But I think extreme imbalances, whether gender or regional, or bloodlines, or whatever, can pose a danger to the breed. Once the Arabian war horse left the desert, an unbroken chain of breeders, both women and men, royalty and commoners, governments, business people and farmers, teachers and artists have all had a role in sustaining the breed.

Monika: What about the need of the American stand-up, which slowly came to Europe at the turn of the century and was finally business as usual by the ECAHO shows as a criterion for scoring. In the meantime, most breeders and also judges want to get away from it because in most cases stand-up training has nothing to do with horsemanship.

Cynthia: I truly believe that the “frozen” stand-up

pose, in general, cannot be achieved without abusive techniques and generating fear in the horse. When a horse is afraid it loses much of the charisma and character for which the breed is renowned. There has to be a better way! Arabian horses were shown all over the world before this particular “stand-up” was developed, and many of us experience unforgettable moments with superstar horses shown without this narrowly defined tense position.

Jennifer: I have had the good fortune of working with trainers that use positive reinforcement to train, rather than negative… you can train a horse for a pose without cruelty, but it takes much longer, and we must remember that often the trainer is under enormous pressure to get results and in a short period of time, it

usually is a combination of the trainer and the owner impatience and their need for that win.

Eileen: It would be lovely if all the judges, breeders, owners and handlers could all be on the same page as to what is the best way to show horses worldwide and do what is best that can be done for the benefit of the horse.

Monika: What can we propose for the future of a fair show business for horses, breeders, and owners? How can we change selection criteria to return to healthy horses with beauty and functionality?

Jennifer: There’s been a lot of discussion about this, and I’ve never come to an answer.

Cynthia: I would love to find a competition that rewards all the traits that made the Arabian horse successful as a breed for thousands of years. And it’s not just the head. Maybe points, not only for conformation and type, but for the first horse to notice something in the distance, points for endurance, loyalty to rider, being ridden in various disciplines, moving freely, etc. There are some of interesting examples with other breeds such as warmbloods, where the horse is loose for an evaluation of motion. The show ring today is narrowly focused and this problem is difficult to solve instantly. But we used to have classes in versatility, which were terrific, and they disappeared. They were very interesting, because the horse had to stand up and be beautiful and typey, but also had to show capability under saddle. While you could not do this for every horse at every show, if you brought a class back with high prizes and recognition, at least some horses could be recognized as representing the breed in all of its essential characteristics.

Eileen: I think breeding complete horses that are also good riding horses are unappreciated in most countries.

Jennifer: Riding, yeah. We need to encourage. I tried very hard here.

Monika: Riding helps to evaluate functionality and character of the horse.

Jennifer: Functionality and character. Functionality must be a part.

Monika: Many trainers say, “Don’t ride the horse”, otherwise it loses the charismatic movement for the show ring.

The modern owner often has no idea about horses, agriculture, feeding, behaviour, and welfare, for examples. They just give it to a trainer, and it becomes a projection of their vanity. They don’t want to know what happens; they just want to win. When I talk with trainers, they say, the client wants it like that. I must make a fast-track to success.

Jennifer: But we have handed our reins over to the trainer, the trainer along with the judges control the whole show scene. I’m not picking on trainers as it is us the breeders that have put them there, I guess with a huge desire to win, but at the end of the day it comes back to money, and I guess glory and vanity to agree. Of course, who doesn’t love to win…. But I think for the sake of the breed, the breeder does need to take back hold of the reins.

Eileen: Unfortunately, since halter classes are the only classes for Arabian horses in most horse show in the world, there is no classes to showcase the ridden horse. Having classes that celebrate the ridden Arabian would give jobs to the horses that are not superstar halter show horses I believe every breeder should remember that that, before any shows existed the Arabian horse was first and foremost a ridden horse.

Jennifer: There is no trainer without an owner. It’s not that.

Doha City: Sky Line of the West Bay and the Museum of Islamic Art

The responsibility must come back to the breeder and the owner. They must learn, and educate themselves on form to function, this is paramount, particularly for our judges as well. The lack of functionality, and where serious legs faults are ignored and an extreme feature takes precedence, it sends the wrong message to the people, and this really does frighten me for the future of Arabian horse as a breed.

Eileen: It’s pretty bad.

Jennifer: Because I see functionality is going 100% going backwards. A lot of the current problems are a result of what is happening in the centre ring, all judges must start scoring what is in front of them, and use the entire scorecard range, if a horse has bad legs judge it as so, if it has great legs judge it as so… not all horses have legs scores between 14 and 16.5….I am a firm believer type is of the utmost importance, but type is not limited to head and neck, it is hair and skin quality, the overall the picture the horse makes and what separates it from other breeds, it is not limited to an extreme head or show attitude, although that is part of it…. But no legs no horse.

Eileen: Or whoever is bringing the horse in, or whoever is sponsoring the show. There are just too many other things that are stepping into the overall part of the horse. But it’s true. There are sponsorships all over the world. And it’s being done.

Jennifer: I don’t know what the answer is.

Cynthia: I really don’t. I hate to hear someone say, don’t ride the horse. Two-thirds of the known world at one time was conquered on the backs of Arabian horses. If you’re a rider, you know how special they are under saddle. A good Arabian horse is just a delight to ride over other breeds. And to lose that is to lose something that’s so precious. I don’t think we’re at that point, but we are close. Obviously, there are breeders still out there in the riding disciplines. But the capability to be ridden should be a characteristic of all good Arabian horses. And the thing is, the Arabian horses of the past were highly functional riding horses and were still the most beautiful horses in the world.

Jennifer: And it’s possible for them to do both.

Monika: Should we question if a show is an environment to help the breeders to select a breeding horse? A stallion, for instance.

I mean, is the show able, with this two-minute stand-up and a trot which goes or does not go at that moment, because the disco music is so loud, to select a winner or a loser or inform about reproduction? Isn’t that so vulnerable?

Cynthia: That’s a personal decision. But in my own experience, I would never select a breeding horse based on its show ring success. I would select based on individual attributes I desired in my breeding program, the horse’s bloodlines, both sire and dam, and the contributions of its family to the breed.

Jennifer: And not just that. You must study the pedigrees. Look, pedigrees are a huge part of breeding selection. I’m not saying it’s everything, of course. But it is what lies within the pedigree, what family traits are within that pedigree.

In my opinion good breeding choices are often from ying and yang selections. You must understand what strengths and weaknesses are within your mare’s pedigree, this is important, it is not just about the horse itself, then choose a stud that’s strength within his pedigree are your mares weaknesses and vice versa.

Eileen: And too much like-to-like breeding

Jennifer: Like-to-like happens, and this is where the functionality is going out the window, I really feel.

Eileen: It all boils down to the lack of diversity, lack of use of the horse. Because what happens is, no matter how good a breeder, you’re going to be lucky to have 5% of your horses able to be competitive, no matter how big or how small you are.

And then what happens to the rest? That’s why breeding for functionality as well as type is so important. It can be difficult, but I believe very rewarding.

Jennifer: Not every horse born is going to be a superstar show horse. It’s just what do we do with horses that do not make as a show horse or breeding

stallion. It worries me. I look at us 20 years ago in Australia, I remember when Eagleridge Passionata won, there were something like 60- 70 yearling fillies in her class. Now, you might be lucky if there is 5 –10 fillies in a class, but the performance is still going well. If performance is promoted it gives a purpose for our stallions and mares that do not make the grade as a breeding horse or halter horse.

Cynthia: In this changing world, horse breeding is challenging because we have expanding urbanization across the globe. It’s very costly to have horses. Yet at

the same time science is telling us about the benefits of the human connection with horses. We now have data about autism, PTSD, etc. and how horses are helpful to people with those challenges. And what horse is the best at relating to humans? The one that’s been closest to humans for centuries – the Arabian. So, I think people in this world are going to crave that connection with the horse more than ever. If you were marketing the Arabian horse, it is the horse with that perfect connection – a desire to be with and please humans. But remember, we see nothing of that connection in a show ring atmosphere.

Jennifer: Eileen and I were talking about this today. We were just saying how no other horse has a connection with humans like the Arabian horse. And this is an area that we need to promote and push.

Eileen: You don’t have to have all those things, but the horse is more relevant than ever for what they can do for us. If you become part of the Arabian horse activities, whatever they may be, they’re going to make you a better human being. You can truly learn and become more aware of things that you didn’t pay attention to before, such as being more aware of your body language and intent which helps you with how you behave to others not just horses. You respect things differently. It’s such a positive, positive thing.

Cynthia: It would be nice to have an Arabian horse experience that didn’t involve a whip.

Jennifer: I know the whip is supposed to be just an extension of your arm, unfortunately some do not understand this.

Monika: Isn’t that also what horse men often say, “Ah, this is a spoiled woman’s horse,” when a horse is loved and cared for. They even give disrespect, you know, because they mainly want to have the horse submissive. But during the times of cavalry the horses have been their partners, they loved their horses and treated them very well because their lives were depending on a good steed. Napoleon’s cavalry went with 260,000 horses to Moscow. You can imagine when your horse was lame, you had to go home by foot.

Eileen: I think that training a horse should be the balance of boundaries, respect and empathy.

Cynthia: It was the women; essentially the family who took care of the horses for centuries in their homelands.

Monika: But now in the show business, it’s all about beauty which becomes a reflection of vanity.

Jennifer: But not for everyone.

Cynthia: I would say that’s always been a problem. This is not new. They’ve always been that instrument.

Jennifer: Yes, that is not a new thing. And it’s not just for this region.

It’s everywhere. I mean, getting a new horse, back, you know, 100 years ago, a beautiful horse was like getting a new Ferrari today, you know. “I think I would look good in a Ferrari”. Lol – that’s not changed!

Monika: Yes, in ancient times the horse was the fastest way to move forward.

Eileen: We teach so much with the HoofbeatZ program, which I developed over 20 years ago, which is focused on inviting newcomers to become involved with the Arabian horse. HoofbeatZ really focuses on educating the horse and the human to understand our differences and learn to be able to communicate

with the horse using their language instead of making them have to only use ours. As far as, “Oh, this is a woman’s horse”. The problem is many women have trouble with boundaries in their life and some horses need clear and fair boundaries.

Working with a horse that weighs three times what you weigh can be risky unless there is very clear communication. A horse knows how to be a horse. We need to learn how horses think and behave to truly have a solid partnership. You must be able to explain to the horse, no, you don’t jump on me because you’re scared. What matters most is the horse’s safety and it will follow where you lead if it trusts you.

Jennifer: You know, there was a famous horseman in Australia called Jim Wilton. You cannot believe what this man did, he taught horses to stand on a small tripod, and he and his dog would stand on their back and crack whips... He did circus acts all without any halters in open areas of the showgrounds, he had a bond with horses like I have never seen before or since. And the most important message to the people was that the horse bases everything on flight and fear. In his training methods the first thing he did, was teach the horse not to be frightened, he desensitized them. He always said there is no such thing as a bad horse only a misunderstood horse, and I know this to be true. He was a teacher of many world renown horsemen including Steve Brady. I was so fortunate to have learnt from him also as a young girl, his lessons have stayed with me for life.

Monika: They are flight animals that we have to convince to stay with us.

Jennifer: And when they attack, it always comes from fear.

Monika: you see a lot of fear in the ring. The show stand-up is a problem, especially for proud stallions, they are pulled by the halter and backed on the chest with the whip. This is a double bind that the stallions tolerate the least and some become attack animals.

Jennifer: I can name you trainers that can teach without fear. They base everything on a reward system using positive reinforcement. Sure, there are some tough trainers, but I would never allow it. I never allowed anyone to treat my horses badly. And when people come and visit us at home, they can’t believe that our stallions all live together. Calm, peaceful, touching over the doors. It all comes back down to how you manage them.

Monika: That’s fantastic Jennifer, I can imagine. Eileen: The whole world has changed for the today’s horse. They used to walk about 16 miles a day, forging for food. They would munch as they went a little bit here and there, a lot of small bites of food, but now even under the best care and intentions it’s very hard for them to eat many small meals every day and be able to be turned out enough in many places.

Monika: Should we try to find and develop more alternatives to the showground?

For instance, open houses where people come together.

Eileen: And the community is super important. Right now, when I left Dubai, with HoofbeatZ, a study had just come out from England, about 8-10 years ago, that the number one killer of women over 60yr had moved from all the usual problems of heart disease and smoking etc, to loneliness. With that in mind– we all could use more opportunities to spend more time in a community with like-minded people.

Monika: Yes of course, that’s why humans are social animals who always try to eat together, like the horses.

Eileen: Yes, the lack of the community nowadays is what I really miss most from the past.

Jennifer: How much healthier would it be, if we could just go and visit? As Eileen said earlier the horses are all spread out all over the world, a big percentage of the best of the horses have come here.

Monika: Since Covid Lock Down, breeders mainly don’t visit stud farms anymore, but send a broker, whist staying at home, looking on the mobile, and watching video clips of horses at the Shows on live stream…. communication is now digitalized.

Cynthia: Almost everyone has heard me say this –a term I despise when it comes to Arabian horses is “industry.” As I grew up around Arabian horses, none of the great breeders ever, ever called it an “industry”. I think we should find a better word, a softer word.

Jennifer Ogden, Eileen Verdieck, Ina and Leon Botha

It was not just the food that left a lasting impression; it was the atmosphere of friendship that made the event truly exceptional

The Arabian horse “community”. The Arabian horse “business”. Something other than “industry” which brings to mind manufacturing, while the horse is a living creature. So, I always try to say “community” or “horse breeding” and avoid that word “industry” and not give power to that concept.

Monika: Modern breeding has become a question of business, markets, piloted start-ups, all digitalized. What can we still suggest to new breeders? We cannot turn the wheel back.

Jennifer: New breeders coming in, if they can’t visit, which is obviously the best way, go to as many Shows as possible, mark in the catalogues what your preferences are. Forget what the judges are doing, forget who the winners are. Take notes of what catches your eye, and what meets your interpretation and understanding of what an Arabian horse should like, take note of the pedigrees. Then when you have a clear understanding of your taste and what you prefer, try to visit those farms or breeders of those horses you prefer.

Monika: In the farms?

Jennifer: Yes, in the farms. But I understand that’s not always possible.

Cynthia: I agree with what’s being said. I think the farm is the best place to learn about horses, not the show ring. And again, we have all experienced the fourth-place filly growing up to be one of the greatest

broodmares of her era. Or one that was not shown. So, I think the farm and talking to the breeder is how to experience the horse and see what you like. And the other thing I would say is we need some people to be really brave to take those steps and be different. Remember when the Egyptian Arabians arrived in the West, and there were very few that became the start for many waves of imports. This could also be said of Polish, Spanish, Russian etc. I’m going to speak about the Egyptians because I remember when they first came to the United States, they were completely different.

They didn’t look like anything in the show ring. So to show you essentially ran the risk of last or first. It takes some brave people to develop a good eye, take some bold steps, think about challenges and diversity and so on, and be prepared to hang in there well over time. And I know that’s hard.

Jennifer: And don’t let a show ring win or loss affect you.

Cynthia: No, don’t let a show ring loss affect you. Shows are valuable to look at your horse against other horses and honestly evaluate where you are going with your program. I know you’re never going to get rid of competition, but I think it’s fun to gather people, haul the horses to a convenient location, bring some judges over, and evaluate the horses in a community environment. I certainly understand that competition is an important aspect, but I think there are other ways to sustain the breed. The bottom line to me is that today’s show ring is not where to learn about Arabian horses.

Cynthia Culbertson during an Interview with “Arabian Insider”

Jennifer and Eileen

Jennifer: I agree with Cynthia, the show ring is not where to learn about Arabian horses, as nothing teaches you more about them than the horse itself, spend time with your horses, put your hands on them, the horse will teach you almost everything you need to know. Sometimes even the most beautiful horse is not always a show horse, if they do not like to show then they will not win. If you know your horses, you will know this. The show ring can be a stressful place not just for horses but also humans.

Eileen: I think what’s most important is education, education, education, but then travel and learn. Back before artificial insemination, we had to send all our mares away for breeding. I think that there just needs to be more independent thought. Don’t follow

Cynthia Culbertson holds a degree in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and has written extensively about the Arabian horse as a contributor to international equine media, editor, and as author of her own books. She has been a lecturer in more than ten countries and has scripted and narrated multiple educational videos about the breed. Cynthia served as a co-curator of the first museum exhibition devoted to Arabian horses and has also been a consultant for the equine components of many other art, film and museum projects around the work.  She has a particular passion for the Straight Egyptian Arabian and has served on the board of both The Pyramid Society and the Pyramid Foundation.

Jennifer Ogden is an accomplished breeder of the Arabian horse; she loves all Arabian horses but has a special place in her heart for the straight Egyptian. Spending her entire life living with and caring for horses, she is a horse listener with strong advocacy for better horsemanship, believing that they can be the key to understanding ourselves and in turn much more about the world around us. This has given her an added advantage in her photography “Capturing the grace and majesty of equine beauty through the lens, Jennifer is a world-renowned horse photographer transforming moments into timeless art, showcasing the extraordinary connection between horses and humanity.” www.jennifer-ogden.com

the herd. Really, one different bloodline can totally change a breeding program in such a quick period if it’s done and used wisely.

I travel all over the world evaluating horses and learning as much as I can. The most obvious problem I see is the lack of diversity in the bloodlines of the modern SE horse.

That is a massive thing for people to look at – the whole horse, not just breeding the head or the charisma or whatever your fancy is – it’s the whole horse. That’s what I would love to see again.

Monika: Thank you, dear ladies. I hope this discussion will encourage other breeders to carry on the debate for the benefit of our Arabian horses and to secure their future.

Monika Savier, studied at the Free University of Berlin. She has lived in Italy since 1985 and worked in many countries around the world as an EU researcher. In 1988 she founded Tre Balzane stud, breeding straight Egyptian Arabians as a hobby. In 1995, she published the Italian edition of the Asil Arabian book on behalf of the Asil Club and wrote a considerable number of articles for renowned international Arabian Horse media such as Tutto Arabi, Equus Arabians, Bait Al Arab Newsletter and other. In 2013 she published the book The Arabian Horse of Dr. Nagel in three languages. For more than 15 years she has been staff writer of the Desert Heritage Magazine. www.tre-balzane.it

Eileen Verdieck has been a professional horsewoman for over 50 years. Throughout her career, she has been a pioneer in the Arabian horse Industry. As an international trainer, judge, and consultant, Eileen has numerous prestigious international awards and credits. She has won various championships at world level. She was also named three times Arabian Horse Woman of the Year for Halter as well as being inducted in the Arabian Professional Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition, she was the first woman to win the Arabian US National Champion Reining Class. Over the last 15 years Eileen has founded and is actively promoting HoofbeatZ™, which is an innovative programme designed to bring horses and humans together in new, affordable, entertaining and safe ways that are designed to broaden the base of equine enthusiasts.

eileen@hoofbeatz.com

“No Breeder is an Island”

Monika Savier asks some questions to Judith Forbis, the American icon of Straight Egyptian horse breeding.

You’ve noted that the studs in the Arab world have been able to implement a prosperous breeding programme through their ability to listen, to learn and to buy some very good Egyptian brood mares and stallions.  In your opinion, what can these studs further do to enhance their breeding programs, in present day circumstances?

Judith F.: Breeders need to open their minds to the broader gene pool that is defined as Straight Egyptian by the Pyramid Society.  Some Straight Egyptian Arabian horses which could offer useful outcrosses to highly inbred stock, have been discriminated against for various reasons: selfish marketing purposes; based simply on a poor photograph of a horse; accepting somebody else’s opinion (follow the leader) rather than on common sense and proven research.  This has caused divisiveness within the breed that must pass away. Many ancestors have been accepted on faith alone (some Inshass or desert-bred RAS horses for example).  On the other hand, many World Championships have been won by horses whose vilified ancestors are better documented than those accepted “on faith.”

Ansata has successfully used some of these vilified horses in its breeding program - as confirmed in my book, Authentic Arabian Bloodstock Volume II. We never discriminated in using any bloodlines that fit our program and the Pyramid Society’s definition of a Straight Egyptian Arabian Horse as listed in the Pyramid Society Stud Book. No breeder is an island, and some horses one might initially reject in a breeding program may later become useful - or needed.

Events with Arabian horses, regardless of the sport, used to be enormously important for social cohesion

between breeders, the exchange of ideas and horses, celebrating together, making deals and much more. This analogue world has been superseded by digital communication through social media and live streams.

Do we need to go back to direct communication between us, “coming together”? Are today’s shows suitable for this? How do they have to change to bring people together again, thanks to their love for the Arabian horse?

Judith F.: Social media has been a blessing and a cursing.  Nothing is better than face- to- face contact with breeders and horsemen.  In the past people brought their mares to the stallion.  This afforded social as well as educational contact. However, outside mares sometimes brought in disease.   AI made it easier and cheaper than shipping mares and stopped hauling stress on them, but it virtually eliminated social and educational contact with stallion and mare owners

Horse shows in the 50’s and 60’s and later IAHA’s Arabian Horse Fairs, The Egyptian Events, and Pyramid Society Breeders Conferences brought people together. Today’s horse shows provide some ambiance but they are competitive activities and the atmosphere is not the same as when breeders and Arabian horse lovers meet on focused social and educational affairs - away from shows.

The annual Egyptian Event in Kentucky began as a wonderful fraternal and educational gathering, but it primarily became a horse show and lost its purpose. Dividing time between show schedules and educational/social activities doesn’t work - the concentration is on one and not the other. I recently participated in a seminar at a major show and was given

15 minutes, as were the other speakers, to talk about “breeding and judging” within an hour!  Advertisement about the seminar was inadequate and conflicted with other horse show activities.  Thoughtfully organized educational workshops and social gathering activities need to be developed worldwide. Part of the fun in breeding horses is getting together with other breeders, sharing experiences and learning.

Are women the better breeders? Where are their big points?

Judith F: From time immemorial women have played the most important role in Arabian horse history: caring for mares and foals in the tents and after the raids and wars.

Who can forget Lady Anne Blunt’s amazing journeys as documented in Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates and Pilgrimage to Nejd - as well as her unique contribution to Egypt and England as a breeder. There are few, if any, Arabians today that don’t carry Blunt or Lady Wentworth’s Crabbet bloodlines.

In the golden years of the Arabian horse in America, women were the primary breeders: Bazy Tankersley, Tish Hewitt, Garth Buchanaan, Alice Payne, to name a few icons. Later came my Ansata Arabian Stud, Barbara Griffith’s Imperial Stud, Lee Romney’s Somerset Farm, Becky Rogers Kehilan Farm, and Cornelia Tauschke’s El Thayeba Stud in Europe among others who have worldwide influence. Some dynamic women are now stepping forward in the Gulf and Arab world - not only as breeders, a but as caretakers and trainers at major farms.

I have seen that when love departs a breeding farm, the horses’ spirits and their performance leave together. What do women contribute - and have contributed the most: Love, Empathy, Vision, Intuition, Artistic Eye, Purpose, Patience, Passion, Wisdom, and Courage.

These are the stuff dreams and reality are made ofand women have been the hub of the wheel.

The return of the now prosperous Arab population in the Middle East and the Gulf region to the traditional values of their culture, triggered a hype regarding the return and renaissance of the Arabian horses to the Arab breeding areas of origin. It sparked an intensive trade between the old breeders of the Occident and the new breeders of the Orient. But this trade has come to a standstill now that the best horses have been exported and there is no longer any need for new imports.

Are the golden years over and will the Arabian horse slowly disappear in the West because there is no longer any demand for it? Can other countries, away from the Middle East, still offer important

Judith Forbis at Al Rayyan Farm

and advantageous qualities to the Arabian breeding in other climates, feeding and management?

Judith F.: Life is a circle.  Who would have thought perpetuation of the classic Arabian horse would rest in Egypt after the Nejd wars; then in Europe, and more recently the USA, when it had seemingly been dissipated in its native lands. Now it has gone home again.  History has proven love for this breed is timeless, borderless and provides a strong bridge between countries - in peace and in war. This planet has countless opportunities for the breed’s expansion.  However, the need for inspiration through educated and professional promotion (and some exciting movies and books such as The Black Stallion) is critical to exposing the breed to children and adults worldwide. High costs of everything associated with raising and showing all breeds of horses have caused a dramatic drop in registrations internationally - except for Arabian horses in the Middle East. Eventually the Arab countries will need a market for their ever-increasing production. Let’s see who takes up the challenge and opens the market elsewhere - or if it returns full force to the West once again should economics change advantageously.

The classical Arabian horse is not only beautiful, but also has suitability for long-term performance, high age, high fertility, good feed conversion.  It is charismatic and has a benign temperament, sociability, and people-oriented nature. Today’s show horse has lost many of these aspects. Partly because breeding is now mostly realised using modern animal reproduction methods.  What do you tell a young breeder in the Middle East about the selection criteria and methods he or she should use for breeding?

Judith F.: I ‘ve written many books on this subject, but in short - I would tell a young breeder wherever he or she is, that history repeats itself.  Take your time.  Know the breed before you try to breed it.  Study historical literature, Arab poetry, the classic Arabian horse painters and sculptors, well-illustrated educational books as well as farm films showing un-photoshopped horses.  Learn bloodlines and combinations of families/strains that successful

established breeders have used and which ones work together and have stood the test of time.  Travel far and wide to visit breeding farms, talk with breeders and get in your mind’s eye what YOU want to breed. Do not buy anything based on emotion or solely on videos and photographs.  And be sure that you have proper horse keeping facilities as well as knowledgeable and kind individuals to care for your horses. It is critical to consider what works for you - If price is a factor, choose the best you can afford and start with a quality well-bred filly - or perhaps an older proven mare if she is still fertile or in foal.  Then when the time comes, breed her to the best well-bred stallion you can afford (that suits her) - and if you can’t afford one, wait until you can.  An experienced breeder, who was also an antique collector, once told me: “Better to have one significant piece rather than many insignificant ones”. I never forgot it. One great mare or a great stallion can “make” a breeder or a farm’s name.  Be prepared to make sacrifices; accept the joys as well as the heartaches.  We also learn by our mistakes as well as our successes. Being a breeder is not for the faint of heart. And above all…NEVER GIVE UP!

Thank you, Judith, for your inside and encouragement.

Judith Forbis is known worldwide for authoring numerous books about the Arabian breed including: The Classic Arabian Horse, Hoofbeats Along the Tigris, The Abbas Pasha Manuscript (with Gülsün Sherif) and Authentic Arabian Bloodstock, Volumes I and II, which have become the bibles for Egyptian Arabian horse breeders. Ansata Hejazi - Born to Rule documents the amazing stallion who inspired Arabian horse breeding in Kuwait after the Gulf War, Ansata Bint Bukra - Born to Reign extols this legendary mare, and Qatar Foundation has just published her newest work, Al Shaqab - The Legacy of Arabian Horses. She has also contributed to numerous magazines and other media, and scripted the Silver-screen Award winning documentary film, Ansata, The Key of Life.

“In the future hardly any old-style stud farms will still exist”.

Cornelia Tauschke in an Interview with Monika Savier

Cornelia, you are one of the historic breeders of straight Egyptian Arabians in Europe and I’m sure you can tell me what has changed in the last 20 years and why.

Cornelia: A lot has changed in the show scene for Straight Egyptian Arabians in the past 20 years. It has become very professional and it makes no sense to show your horse without professional preparation and training. I am talking about the European show scene now, which is relevant for us, but it is also dominated by exhibitors from the Near and Middle East countries. For them showing horses is very important, it seems to me that showing is even more important than the breeding itself. Being at a show with the horses and winning is what it’s all about. In the past we used to go to a show especially to compare and understand where we stand with our breeding. That’s over today.

Is the show today there so that the winners can recommend themselves for breeding?

Cornelia: In the Arabian Show Horse world, breeding is done en masse - mostly with using embryo transfer and other modern equine reproduction techniques to obtain a show winner from the mass number of offspring. This is less pronounced in the breeding of Straight Egyptians. The envy is not so intense and there is not so much prize money in their shows involved. There are horses that have excellent offspring but have never been to shows and have therefore never been champions. In Straight Egyptian Arabian horse breeding, we look at the mare families, because word has got around about which ones are known to produce beautiful foals.

It often happens that the show champions are frequently the horses of sponsors.

Cornelia: That’s quite noticeable and of course it’s a conflict of interest that shouldn’t be there.

Nowadays, are there better horses in the Middle East than in Europe?

Cornelia: There are a lot more horses in this region and for a long time, many good horses were bought from breeders in Europe. We have had to let a lot of good horses go, partly to finance our own breeding programme.

Yesterday at the Katara Show for Straight Egyptians, the stallion of a European expat who lives here in Doha won the Gold Championship. Isn’t that a sign that things are more honest here than one might think from the outside?

Cornelia: Yes, that could be the case, also because many judges judge here, and the rotation of judges

Cornelia Tauschke in Doha

also makes it almost impossible to reach agreements. I’m happy for Glenn Jakobs, who is a farm manager and photographer and runs his own breeding program with very good success.

At the stud presentations of the large private studs, mostly owned by members of the royal family, we can see from the 5-generation pedigrees that the pedigrees here are often similar. The gene pool is

narrow, most of the horses are related to each other. No risks are taken with the breeding of out-cross horses.

Cornelia: That’s true, the gene pool is relatively narrow, but you don’t hear much about inbreedingrelated diseases. But it’s true, nobody dares to try something new and to integrate other bloodlines. Most have no patience to wait and see what new mating bring.

Foals from parents with big names may sell better, regardless of the quality.

Cornelia: But without shows it is difficult to promote them.

Apart from the shows, what other options do we have to effectively publicise the offspring?

Cornelia: We have created a sensible alternative by organising the Nobel Festival, which was intended to appeal to breeders and where the horses were also presented differently. Mares were presented with offspring, as well as the stallions, it was not only a great atmosphere, it was also very informative for people who wanted to understand how to breed to be successful. We made it twice and it was a great success.

But when we tried to do it again last year, we had very little feedback from the breeders. Many breeders are no longer that young, cannot stay away from their work for several days and don’t want to take the cost and effort of preparing their horses well for the event and driving them to a location across Germany. For some it’s also a matter of staff, as when you travel with some horses somebody needs to take care for the horses at home.

How could these problems be overcome?

Cornelia: These events could be decentralised and held in different regions. Breeders should get together in smaller groups. We are making this happen this year in the north of Germany, where three stud farms are organising an event together. Other stud farms could also make this happen, but overall, hardly

Cornelia Tauschke showing her stallion El Thay Mansour (Ansata Halim Shah x El Thay Maheera by Nizam and Mona II) a Multi-times Champion at the Asil Cup

Tauschke showing her stallion El Thay Mameluk at Egyptian Event, Baden Baden 1992

anyone is interested in taking on such a project.

In other words, Arabian horse breeding is slowly going down the drain in Europe?

Cornelia: I don’t think so. It remains a niche with far fewer customers. I also no longer breed 15 foals a year ....

Perhaps we should act against the possibility of unlimited embryo transfer?

Cornelia: Embryo transfer is not done much by European SE Breeders. It is more practiced by breeders of Arabian Show horses. In many countries / registries the number of foals produced by ET has already been reduced to 2 embryos per mare. But what’s the point? Then 10 will still be made and only the two best foals will be registered. And what about the other eight?

That’s depressing. But back to Doha, how did you like the Katara Arabian Peninsula Horse Show?

Cornelia: Very good, we saw some very nice horses. The classes were big with 10 to 15 horses, so there was

real competition, unlike shows in Europe where often only 3-5 horses compete in a class.

I was also impressed by the organisation.

Cornelia: Yes, it was absolutely perfect. There is a lot of money spent to for the events to organize them to perfection. In Europe most show organizers do not have large budgets.

But in Europe we have agriculture, green pastures, we should keep that...

Cornelia: Of course it’s much better for the horses, they can stay outside for months until winter comes. Nevertheless, there should also be shows for Straight Egyptian horses, a minimum of competition makes sense to see where you are in comparison to other breeders and their horses.

What do you think of the name of the show: Katara Show for Peninsula Arabians?

Cornelia: If the breeders here make this claim because part of the original breeding came from the Nejd, why not? But for me they remain the Straight Egyptian Arabians, where they have been specially selected, registered and documented over the last 200 years. Most of the foundation stock of the farms in Europe, the USA, Australia and the Gulf countries was purchased from Egypt.

In Europe, the USA and Australia, it is taken for granted that women ride and many also breed horses. Will breeding change in the future since the focus of horse breeding is on the Middle East, where women hardly have the financial and cultural opportunity to have their own stud? Do you see a difference in the method and the result when women are responsible for a stud?

Cornelia: I think there are differences. Men in breeding like to explain how they want to put a horse together, “so I need this part of the stallion, the mare then adds the other part and that’s how the ideal horse has to come out”... Women, on the other hand,

Cornelia Tauschke trained El Thay Ibn Halim Shah for racing to pass the stallion licensing. He was unbeaten in 5 races - shown when he was awarded race winner

try to question more “why does the horse inherit like this and like that...where does it come from”. There are very successful stud farms that are run by women. Of course, it’s good if they have a husband at their side who has the necessary capital. When I think of good female breeders, I naturally think of Judith Forbis, Sigi Siller (Om El Arab) and now her daughter Janina, Marion Richmond, Sylvia Garde Ehlert and others who have built up a remarkable breeding programme over many years. There are also several women in the Middle East who have their own stud farms and breed successfully, for example Sheikha Sarah Fahad Al Sabah (Kuwait) who runs her own breeding program ‘Al Arab Stud’ and is the General Director of Bait Al Arab Kuwait Stud Stud, or Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE) who is very successful with her Al Shiraa Stud and there are more to be named. In the large stud farms that are successful at shows, it is almost irrelevant today whether men or women are behind the programme, because the breeding decisions are usually made by the trainers. They deliver an all-round package orientated towards success. Traditional breeders, breeders like Dr Nagel, like me or the breeders just mentioned and others, we are threatened with extinction, some highly respected breeders already passed away and no one from the

family took over. I won’t have anyone to continue running our stud. In the future hardly any old-style stud farms will still exist.

I recently read about a mare who already had 16 daughters at the age of 16, so you can see how early embryo transfer was started with her and there were certainly some average colts that were not registered. Breeding has taken on a whole new dimension. What we do on a small scale with our horses is because we enjoy it. It’s true passion and our friends and customers buy a horse from us from time to time because it is not a mass product. They see the families and they see how the horses are kept and taken care handled and loved.

Ultimately, we old breeders no longer fit into today’s Instagram and Facebook world. This constant selfpromotion of some young people with their horses - we don’t do that; it doesn’t suit us - they are in a different world.

Thank you, and good luck, with the El Thayeba stud in Germany.

Cornelia Tauschke was in love with horses since early childhood. She learnt riding on warmblood sport horses. Together with her late husband, the El Thayeba Arabian stud was founded in Bavaria in 1971 and dedicated itself entirely to the straight Egyptians. In 1981 she moved to Grossenkneten, in the North of Germany. She has been involved in the organisation of the legendary NOBEL Festival in Holland, an alternative to the ECAHO shows with a stronger focus on education and welfare. Cornelia passed the exam as specialized stable manager and got the license as trainer of personally owned racehorses from the German Jockey Club. For many years she trained and showed the own horses at National and International Shows as well as at Stallion Licensing Shows. El Thayeba is a family owned and operated stud with about 25 Straight Egyptian Arabians and existing for 53 years”. www.el-thayeba.com

Cornelia Tauschke driving two Shagya Arabians at the Hungarian State Stud Babolna

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Rothenberg Stud

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Maheeb | Fasinah

Desert Heritage

Rothenberg

“Do what you love to do with all your heart and force … and never give up!”

Emotional and inspiring talk with Annette Escher, the woman who keep fulfilling her dreams and reach the success no matter what comes the way.

by Urszula Łęczycka photos by Annette & Erwin Escher

Urszula Łęczycka: Your farm has been established more than 30 years ago by you and your husband Erwin. Nowadays you run it all by yourself and Straight Egyptian horses with GR prefix are worldwide known. You also run one of the largest Straight Egyptian black coloured herds in the world – that is in high demand nowadays.

Can you tell us more about the idea of establishing your breeding program? Was it the same from the beginning or it has been changing through the years and following the market?

What were your first horses and where did you get them from?

Annette Escher: We started our Straight Egyptian breeding with a small number of horses several years before we could buy the right place and built “Rothenberg Stud” in 1991. In 1992 the stud and pastures was ready and we moved our horses to here … from this time, having place enough, we were looking for the right additions and after we haven’t found most of them in Europe (there was only few Egyptians

in Germany / Europe at this time and nearly nothing for sale) we went several times to USA looking at studs and horses driving thousands of miles weekly. During this time we found and bought the foundation horses for my recent breeding, so the mares like: Halims Asmara (Ansata Halim Shah x Lancers Asmara- US National Top Ten and twice World Res. Champion mare), Dalima Shah (Ansata Halim Shah x AK Bint Dalia II), Ansata Aya Maria (Ansata Shah Zaman x Ansata Aya Halima by Ansata Ibn Halima) – Bukra line and the black Champion mare Maria Halima (Haziz Halim x Chelsea), Then the black mare Fasinah (Nahaman x Fatima) we found in Germany a bit later and before 1992 we already have owned the mare Samara (Ibn Moheba x Safiniya by Ibn Galal), I still own her granddaughter GR Safiniya and her black great-granddaughter GR Samantha which meanwhile is pregnant first time!

Over the years we sometimes leased a mare or made breeding-cooperation to add foals out of interesting mothers and motherlines – this way we bred our

Stud

Annette and GR Anastacia (Classic Shadwan x Halims Asmara) full-sister to Multi-Champion & gold premium stallion GR Amaretto

Rothenberg Stud

Dalima Shah Multi Champion mare by Ansata Halim Shah - one of our foundation mares

GR Adelle

black filly *2022, by GR Ishad out of GR Anastacia (Classic Shadwan x foundation-mare Halim’s Asmara by Ansata Halim Shah). GR Anastacia is a full-sister to our homebred Multi & European- Champion SE GR Amaretto

GR Alinah (GR Lahab x GR Anisha by GR Faleeh) great granddaughter of Halims Asmara - black producing

„Queen“ GR Nashidah (by Classic Shadwan) which is the mother of black gold-premium stallion GR Nashad (exp. Kuwait, by GR Faleeh) as well as our black mare GR Layla (by GR Faleeh) who is the mother of our young broodmare GR Larissa and our future stallion GR Layad (both by GR Ishad). After we moved to Rothenberg Stud we also bought our foundation-stallions: Classic Shadwan (Alidaar x Shagia Bint Shadwan imp. Egypt), we found him in France, he was four years old at this time and the black Madallan-Madheen - when we heard about a very special black colt being born 1994 out of special bloodlines we quickly went to see him, and we bought him in age of 6 weeks! He was the very first foundation for our black breeding! Madallan-Madheen was not bred to get black, his parents were chestnut (Ansata El Salaam) and bay (the famous Madinah, mother of Imperial Madheen) but he got black “by accident” and was just bred to be a great horse … and got a rare gold premium ribbon from the German registry later at the licensing show!

GR Aliyah

(GR Faleeh x GR Anastacia by Classic Shadwan) first black out

of Halims Asmara line

Classic Shadwan (Alidaar x Shagia Bint Shadwan) - Multi-Champion, foundation stallion

Rothenberg Stud

GR Aya Malikah

black mare, by GR Faleeh out of GR Aya Mahiba (Maheeb x GR Aya Farida) goes back to our foundation-mare Ansata Aya Maria from the Bukra line. Black colt GR Malish *2023 (by GR Ishad) beside which was exported to USA

Most of our early blacks were out of non black lines … blacks were seldom and good blacks even more and usually they were impossible to buy! Since I was a child I always was a big fan of black horses but Erwin mostly loved the greys - in the end we love all colors so we only had a few blacks in the first years.

Over the years we got more and more black foals (also Classic Shadwan produced fantastic blacks) and after more than 30 years I have managed to get great blacks from all our foundation-horses … for several I needed generations but meanwhile I have a fantastic group of black and black producing broodmares, many are already 4th and 5th generation of our foundation-mares!

But color was not most important all the time – we both loved pretty exotic faces, good (proven) Straight Egyptian pedigrees and as we also were riders since the beginning we wanted to have a solid horse with good body, legs and movements which are able to carry us over the fields! The goal was not to lose any of this points over the years … type, body, movement … and most important at all the fantastic, people loving sweet character the Egyptians are famous for.

GR Faleeh (Madallan-Madheen x Fasinah) & Annette 25-09-17, the day before GR Faleeh left to Kuwait

GR Dalimah

(GR Mahal (GR Lahab x black Champion mare GR Marianah) x GR Danielle by GR Faleeh) goes back to Dalima Shah

UŁ: Straight Egyptian breeding is one of most difficult ones as you must use a very limited gene pool that creates some problems in avoiding inbreeding and breeding overall harmonius and typey horse. Limiting the Straight Egyptian breeding to black colour group only must be even more challenging. How do you find your way to keep breeding beautiful and correct horses with such a limited requirements?

AE: Most of our foundation horses were not bred to get black which means they had a bigger gene-pool as if we would bought mostly blacks in the beginning … there were only very few black and black producing lines at this time which already often were inbred. And over the years we always were open to use sometimes outside stallions doesn’t matter the color like World Champion Al Lahab

GR Bint Asmara

(GR Moneef x GR Asmara by GR Lahab) 13.9.16 - 4 months after Erwins death

GR Bint Asmara

(GR Moneef x GR Asmara) this year high pregnant goes back to Halims Asmara

Rothenberg Stud

if we thought they would bring us something new in blood and look … in my recent herd I have some great black mares and fillies from this line! We always used the Straight Egyptian bloodlines we liked personally not looking for trends and what other breeders prefer … we went our own way for our own taste and what we loved ourselves!

UŁ: Did you manage to combine your goals of having the bloodlines, the strenght, stamina and also the colour and then keep into the fashion to win the show titles? It had to be extremely difficult task..

AE: Over the years we often showed our horses and many of our foundation horses and their offspring got MultiChampions and gold premium stallions. For example Dalima Shah and her daughter Shadwanah (by Classic Shadwan) as well as Halims Asmara and her son GR Amaretto (by Classic Sahdwan) won among other titles the champion titles at the Egyptian Event Europe. Also our first homebred black mares GR Marietta and GR Marianah (both Madallan-Madheen x Maria Halima)

GR Larissa

(GR Ishad x GR Layla) Abayyan line - the future

GR Ishad

(black gold premium stallion GR Nashad exp. Kuwait x Shaylah Bint Iman by Classic Shadwan) black gold premium stallion, Dahman Shahwan

GR Layad homozygous black colt 2023

(GR Ishad x GR Layla by GR Faleeh)

Abayyan - line - future stallion at Rothenberg!

GR Mahalia black filly *2023

(GR Ishad x GR Maheeba by Maheeb) Moniet El Nefous line - the future

GR Shakadah

black filly 2019

(GR Ishad x GR Shakirah, Maheeb x GR Shatigah) - great great granddaughter of Dalima Shah

GR Aisha

black filly 2022 (GR Ishad x GR Anisha by GR Faleeh) goes back to Halims Asmara - the future

GR Mahidah

black filly 2022 (GR Ishad x GR Maheeba) - Moniet El Nefous line - the future

Rothenberg Stud

won several championships which was very special at this time as nearly no blacks was shown successfully! Also later our black stallion GR Faleeh (exported to Kuwait; Madallan-Madheen x Fasinah) was shown successfully … and many more.

We sold our foals nearly all over the world and many of them won a lot for their new owners– many champion titles in halter classes as well as endurance races or riding classes.

Our sold horses live around the world as breeding-horses and produce fantastic foals for their new owners … or are just best friends and great riding-horses to give their new owners fun and happy hours.

We also bred several gold premium stallions at the stallion registration of the registry, for me one of the most difficult gold to get at all!

We got gold premium titles for GR Amaretto (exported to Iran, Classic Shadwan x Halims Asmara by Ansata Halim Shah), his ¾-brother Maheeb (black; Classic Shadwan x Bint Bint Mahiba by Ansata Halim Shah) and for the other black stallions GR Nashad (exported to Kuwait; GR Faleeh x GR Nashidah by Classic Shadwan),  his black son at stud GR Ishad (GR Nashad x Shaylah Bint Iman by Classic Shadwan) and also for our young black stallion

GR Moneef (GR Faleeh x GR Mona by Madallan-Madheen)

GR Layla (GR Faleeh x leasing-mare Sheherazade) - Abayyan line

GR Samantha black filly 2019 (Maheeb x GR Safiniya by GR Faleeh) - goes back to our first SE mare Samara (by Ibn Moheba)

GR Nashidah (Classic Shadwan x Nejdschah) mother of our homebred stallions GR Nashad (gold premium stallion; father of GR Ishad) and GR Lahab. Black-bay filly GR Nasinah *2023 (by GR Fasin) beside

GR Nasirah

black-bay filly *2022, by GR Fasin out of GR Nashidah (Classic Shadwan x Nejdschah).

GR Nasirah was the first foal of four young homozygous black gold premium stallion GR Fasin!

GR Mariyah

black mare *2018, by GR Moneef out of black champion-mare GR Marianah (by Madallan-Madheen) - goes back to our black foundation-mare, the Champion Maria Halima

Rothenberg Stud

GR Shatigah

black mare 2003 (Pasha Farid x Shadwanah) - last daughter of Shadwanah at stud, goes back to Dalima Shah

GR Shasadah

black mare *2018, by black gold premium stallion GR Nashad (exp. Kuwait) out of GR Shatigah (Pasha Farid x Multi-Champion mare Shadwanah) goes back to our foundation-mare Dalima Shah by Ansata Halim Shah

GR Fasin (Maheeb x our foundation-mare Fasinah by Nahaman). And I have big hope to continue this fantastic row with my promising young black colt GR Layad (GR Ishad x GR Layla by GR Faleeh) in the future! He also is homozygous without any white markings and has an extremly dishy head – he is the future!

UŁ: Did you manage to establish some dam and sire lines of your own that you admire until that day and continue?

AE: All of my recent breeding-horses come in direct line from our early foundation horses – and all of them carry either the blood of Classic Shadwan or MadallanMadheen or both of them!

Over the years I managed to breed fantastic blacks from all of the foundation-mares which made me very happy and proud and I love to see that the sold ones make their new owners happy, too.

UŁ: There is probably no Arabian horse lover in Europe that would not know the photos made by your husband Erwin who passed away 8 years ago. Since that time you keep running the farm by your own with just one helper. Your strenght, passion and achievements could be an inspiration for many woman or girls who dream or run the horse breeding on their own for different reasons. It must be hard, emotional but probably also satisfying when you manage to breed a great horse at the end? What would you say and advice to the other woman – breeders?

AE: Yes, the death of Erwin for sure was the most terrible time in my life, I thought my life have stopped, too. But the horses helped me a lot because giving up is no solution, you have to go on day by day, they wait for you, they need you!

Additionally, Erwins second favorite mare GR Asmara (GR Lahab x Halims’s Asmara) died a few days after him

GR Fasin

*2019 (black gold premium stallion Maheeb x foundation mare Fasinah by Nahaman) - black gold premium stallion

GR Farasha

(Maheeb x Fasinah by Nahaman) - full-sister to GR Fasin

GR Myrella

black filly 2023, by GR Fasin x GR Maryah (GR Moneef x black Champion mare GR Marianah) goes back to our foundation-mare Maria Halima

GR Shaminah

black filly *2024, by black gold premium stallion

GR Fasin out of GR Shatigah (Pasha Farid x Multi-Champion mare Shadwanah)goes back to our foundation-mare Dalima Shah - the future

Rothenberg Stud

because of problems after giving birth and let her newborn filly GR Bint Asmara (by GR Moneef) alone with me. This baby nearly died as well because of substitute milk so I needed to take milk from other mares to feed this baby … you can imagine that I nearly had no time to sleep over months which was very hard but maybe also good for me in this situation. My only aim was that we both need to survive …and we did! Meanwhile GR Bint Asmara gave birth to already two wonderful black fillies herself … and this made me very happy!

My advice is: do what you love to do with all your heart and force … and never give up!

There are always good and bad times in our lifetime … you need to survive the bad time and grow yourself in the

Maheeb (Classic Shadwan x Bint Bint Mahiba) - black gold premium stallion, sire of many of our breeding-horses

Halims Asmara by Ansata Halim Shah Multi-Champion mare, one of our foundation mares

Madallan-Madheen (Ansata El Salaam x Madinah) - black gold premium stallion, foundation-stallion

Fasinah (Nahaman x Fatima); black foundation-mare, mother of homebred black show-winner GR Faleeh (exp. Kuwait) and my young black gold premium stallion GR Fasin

good time and take it into your heart for the future. Like when my homebred young homozygous black stallion GR Fasin (by Maheeb by Classic Shadwan), the much too early born last foal out of our foundation-mare Fasinah (which nearly died several time during the first weeks of his life) got a gold ribbon from the German registry as breeding-stallion with just amazing high scores in all points. And every birth when mother and baby are well – just a wonder every time! Such moments keep me running and make me happy!!!!

UŁ: What an amazing story and the best proof to your words of advice that I would certainly put as a title of this interview! I wish you all the best of luck on reaching your future goals and of course – with mostly those great and happy moments for every breeder.

Shadwanah (Classic Shadwan x Dalima Shah); first daughter of both her parents, Multi- & European Champion Straight Egyptian. Mother of black broodmare GR Shatigah

GR Famonah

black filly *2021, by GR Moneef out of GR Farasha (black gold premium stallion Maheeb x foundation-mare Fasinah); GR Farasha is a full-sister to our stallion GR Fasin

Annette Escher 86653 Monheim (Germany) - tel. +49 0 90913707 email: escher.rothenberg@t-online.de www.RothenbergArabians.com instagram: @RothenbergArabianStud

Abbonamenti SUBSCRIPTIONS

q Versamento su c/c postale n. 20843256 o a mezzo vaglia postale intestato a: Alim Editrice s.n.c. - via Ressi, 22 - 20125 Milano - Italy

Abbonamenti SUBSCRIPTIONS

q Versamento su c/c postale n. 20843256 o a mezzo vaglia postale intestato a: Alim Editrice s.n.c. - via Ressi, 22 - 20125 Milano - Italy q A mezzo Carta di Credito

Exhibition at Versailles

n by Judith Wenning

Until March 17th 2024, the Palace of Versailles is dedicating a major retrospective to the painter Horace Vernet (1789–1863). Situated in a suburb southwest of Paris, Versailles is one of the most famous and grandest palaces in the world, renowned for its opulent architecture, extensive gardens, and historical significance.

Horace Vernet created some of the most important Arabian horse artwork. His depictions of fiery Arabian horses and Mamelucks, fighting Arabs on horseback or impressive hunting scenes are truly eye catching.

A key figure at Versailles during the reign of King Louis-Philippe, the artist produced, over a time of 13 years, some of the most beautiful paintings in the Historical Galleries, making Versailles home to the largest collection of his works today. More than 40 years after the last exhibition dedicated to Vernet, this retrospective of some 200 works provides an opportunity to discover many exceptional masterpieces, as well as sketches and drawings demonstrating how the artist worked. Many of them are heretofore unexhibited works.

The artist “Horace Vernet“. © Franck Raux.

From a family of artists, Horace Vernet was a prominent French painter of the 19th century. He was born in the Louvre in Paris on June 30, 1789. Horace Vernet was the grandson of the maritime artist Joseph Vernet and the son of Carle Vernet, an exceptional equestrian painter who created numerous Arabian horse artwork. A worthy heir to the family dynasty, despite failing to win the Prix de Rome, Horace Vernet quickly became a favourite of Napoleon I and his entourage.

Vernet’s Career and Breakthrough

Horace Vernet learned how to paint horses from his father Carle, yet developed his own, unique style. He gained fame and fortune at an early age. Initially, part

of the Romantic movement of the 1820s alongside his friend Théodore Géricault, Vernet developed an easy and seductive style before discovering the medium lithography. He became the favourite painter of the Duke of Orléans, the future King Louis-Philippe. Moreover, Horace Vernet rapidly gained a degree of celebrity himself, which led him to pose for several of his colleagues. The exhibition at the Palace of Versailles presents also some of these portraits by his contemporaries. Especially impressive is a large sized bronze sculpture showing Horace Vernet on an Arabian horse. This status was created by Arthur Le Duc in 1913 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Horace Vernet’s death and was commissioned by the French government. It portraits Vernet in the saddle “sketching on the battlefield of Isly”. It underlines Horace Vernet’s

Several portraits of Horace Vernet. © Chateau de Versailles, S. Gilles.

love for Arabian horses and horse-riding. In 1929 this sculpture was installed in the Smalah Courtyard.

Horace Vernet is known for his works depicting historical and military scenes, as well as Orientalist themes. He gained significant recognition for his skill in portraying action and drama in his paintings, often capturing the tumultuous events of his time with vivid detail and emotion. Vernet’s art was highly sought after, and he received numerous commissions from both private patrons and the French government. His work remains influential in the history of French painting.

Some of the impressive works shown at the exhibition. © Chateau de Versailles, S. Gilles.

“A man in oriental costume”, oil painting by Horace Vernet, 1818.

“The Battle of Isly“, a monumental oil painting on canvas by Horace Vernet is the centerpiece of this room. It has the measurements 10,4 x 5,14 meter! © Chateau de Versailles, S. Gilles.

Large sized bronze sculpture by Arthur Le Duc showing Horace Vernet. © Christophe Fouin.

Born into a family of artists, Horace Vernet was always a painter. By 1822, at the age of thirty-three, he was already famous. That year, however, his works were rejected at the Salon, because, in the midst of the Restoration, the artist had depicted tricolored cockades in his battle scenes. He then organized an exhibition himself and showed some fifty canvases in his studio - a great success! It was the breakthrough for a long career. Elected to the Institute in 1826, he became, against all odds, director of the French Academy in Rome in 1829. Horace Vernet shared Théodore Géricault’s enthusiasm for contemporary subjects - which he treated as history - and for English literature. His compositions, framing, rapid technique, and sometimes sketchy touch make him a major Romantic artist.

“The Seizure of Abd-el-Kader’s Camp (Smalah) in 1843”, history painting in oil, stretching over 4,8 meter x 21,3 meter. © Franck Raux.

The Influence of Vernet’s Travels

The exhibition in Versailles highlights the importance of Horace Vernet’s trips, especially in Italy and Algeria. Appointed director of the French Academy in Rome in 1829, Horace Vernet discovered the great classical Italian works and tried his hand at historical painting. Then in 1833, he became interested in Algeria and travelled there on an official trip. Travelling to the East was dangerous and often uncomfortable at Horace Vernet’s time. High expenses, unreliable itineraries and the risk of disease overshadowed such endeavours. However, Horace Vernet was certainly both, a gifted artist as well as an adventurer. His numerous, extensive journeys led him to Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Turkey and the Crimea. During these travels, he was not afraid of strains and efforts. He took any means of transport available, be it horse, camel or mule and often camped in the open air if necessary!

Vernet then concentrated on Orientalist painting, depicting a variety of civil, religious and military subjects. Two years later, he was commissioned to paint the military conquests of King Louis-Philippe’s heirs for the Africa rooms at the Palace of Versailles. His monumental Orientalist canvases are breathtaking!

Orientalist art refers to a genre of Western art, primarily from the 19th century, that depicts scenes and subjects from the “Orient,” which generally refers to regions of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Orientalist artists were often fascinated by the exoticism and perceived mystery of these distant lands, and their works typically portrayed romanticized and idealized images of Oriental cultures, landscapes, and people.

One of his most significant Orientalist paintings is “The Battle of Isly” (1844), which portrays a military engagement between French forces and Moroccan

Horses were among the favourite subjects for Horace Vernet’s art. © Chateau de Versailles, S. Gilles.

troops near the Isly River in Algeria. This painting reflects Vernet’s interest in depicting military conflicts. No wonder that Vernet is today called “The top reporter of the tumults of the 19th century”.

Horace Vernet became famous for his battle scenes for which he received many important commissions. His fighting sceneries are imposing, first of all through their motives, but often also because of their large dimensions, being painted on vast panoramic canvases. Spectators who had the privilege to watch him working always marvelled at the incredible speed with which he painted.

One of Horace Vernet’s most well-known pictures is certainly “The Lion Hunt”, an oil painting dated 1836. This work is full of action and dynamic. While the Wallace Collection in London owns the original, lithographs of this motif are popular collector’s items.

The oil painting is in these days one of the top attractions of the exhibition at Versailles.

Another important Orientalist work by Vernet is “The Arab Tale-teller” (1833), which depicts a peaceful scene. In this painting, Vernet captures the exoticism and tranquility of a group of Arab men resting and listening to a tale teller. The artwork is notable for its attention to detail and the atmosphere.

Vernet’s Orientalist works demonstrate his skill in capturing the allure and mystery of the Orient, as perceived through the lens of 19th-century Europeans.

This period of major commissions also encompassed numerous trips to the East and to Russia. Under the Second Empire, Vernet’s career was recognised with a retrospective of his work at the Universal Exhibition of 1855. Horace Vernet became professor at the Paris

The Artist’s Studio, Horace Vernet, 1820 – 1821, private collection. © Christophe Fouin.

School of Fine Arts and developed enormous influence on the artistic organizations of his time. This earned him immense public renown. Horace Vernet left a large production with some 500 paintings and around 200 lithographs. Arabian horses always fascinated the avid rider and were again and again his popular subject. Horace Vernet died in his hometown of Paris in 1863 at the age of 74 after having received the medal of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. Horace Vernet’s grave can still be visited today at the cemetery of Montmartre in Paris, not far from where his father Carle was buried.

The Current Exhibition

A prolific painter, Vernet was both acclaimed and derided by critics, and aroused strong feelings among his contemporaries. This retrospective emphasises the

painter’s easy style and the breadth of his preferred subjects, revealing his love for horses and hunting, his attachment to the Napoleonic saga and military exploits, his fondness for Romantic literature and Lord Byron, and for depicting his family background. A talented painter, Horace Vernet shone in all genres, especially portraiture. The exhibition showcases many of his artwork kept in private collections.

This retrospective wraps the painter’s entire career, delving deep into the 19th century of Horace Vernet. For the occasion, the canvases in the Africa rooms will also be available to view. The exhibition is curated by Mme Valérie Bajou, General Curator at the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon.

Today, Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction, visited by millions of

“The Lion Hunt in the Desert”, oil on canvas by Horace Vernet, 1836, owned by the Wallace Collection, London.

people from around the world each year. It stands as a testament to the grandeur and splendor of the French monarchy and remains an enduring symbol of France’s rich cultural heritage. q

The exhibition takes place during the opening hours of the Palace until March 17th, 2024. An exceptional catalogue published by Editions Faton with the supervision of Mme Valérie Bajou is available.

Catalogue of the Exhibition Horace Vernet

448 pages, 54,- Euro

ISBN 978-2-87844-344-8

Address for the exhibition: Chateau de Versailles, Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France.

The famous painting “Mazeppa aux Loups”. © Ville d’Avignon, Musée Calvet.

Micosi mycoses

by Domenico Bergero, Cynthia Préfontaine

Le micosi

Le malattie che possono colpire i cavalli sono essenzialmente di due tipi: contagiose e non contagiose. La differenza sta nella possibilità di queste malattie di essere trasmesse o meno da un soggetto malato ad uno sano, in qualche modo. L’influenza, ad esempio, si trasmette per via aerea, cioè penetra nell’organismo attraverso le goccioline che i cavalli eliminano ad esempio sbruffando, e che si trovano nell’aria. Altre, si trasmettono per contatto, cioè per un passaggio di materiale infetto da un animale all’altro, anche tramite un mezzo esterno: l’uomo, gli attrezzi di pulizia, i finimenti. Si parla in questo caso di contatto diretto od indiretto. La gravità della malattia non è correlata alla contagiosità, nel senso che ci sono malattie contagiose relativamente lievi e malattie non contagiose che possono portare a morte. Un buon esempio sono l’influenza ed il tetano. Contro queste due malattie normalmente i cavalli vengono vaccinati, ma la sola vaccinazione contro l’influenza è obbligatoria. Infatti, l’influenza è contagiosa, e può essere trasmessa in una scuderia o nel corso di una competizione da cavallo a cavallo. Il tetano, invece, pur essendo pericolosissimo non è contagioso, e quindi non rappresenta un problema di salute pubblica.

Tra le malattie contagiose, esistono poi differenze molto rilevanti. Infatti, la contagiosità può essere molto alta, quando

Mycoses

Disease affecting horses can essentially be split into two groups: contagious and non-contagious. The difference lies in the possibility of the disease somehow being transmitted from an infected horse to a healthy one. Flu, for example, is transmitted through the air, i.e. it enters the organism through the airborne droplets that the horses spurt. Others are transmitted by contact, i.e. infected material goes from one animal to the other through an external medium such as man, cleaning tools and the harness. In this case, the contact can be direct or indirect. The seriousness of the disease is not related to its contagiousness - there are contagious diseases that are relatively mild and non-contagious diseases that can lead to death. Valid examples of this are flu and tetanus. Usually horses are vaccinated against these diseases, but only the vaccination against flu is compulsory. Flu, or influenza, is contagious and can be transmitted throughout a stud or from horse to horse during a competition. Tetanus, on the other hand, is very dangerous but not contagious, and so it does not represent a public health risk. In addition, there are remarkable differences among contagious diseases. Contagiousness can be very high when the disease has a strong tendency and capacity to pass from one animal to another (or a very low one, in the opposite case). Highly contagious diseases demand the highest level of attention from

la malattia ha una forte tendenza e capacità di passare da un animale all’altro, oppure molto bassa nel caso opposto. Le malattie altamente contagiose sono quelle che richiedono,da parte dei proprietari, la massima attenzione al fine di evitare la loro diffusione. Molte malattie da funghi, le micosi, sono in quest’ultima categoria.

Funghi e micosi

Le micosi sono un gruppo di malattie contagiose dovute a funghi microscopici. Non tutti i funghi presenti sulla pelle o sul pelo, tuttavia, causano micosi. Alcuni funghi, detti saprofiti, vivono normalmente sulla pelle dei cavalli (o di altri animali, uomo compreso) senza creare nessun tipo di problema. In questo caso, non si parla affatto di malattia. Quando invece questo equilibrio si rompe, vuoi perché il fungo in causa è particolarmente aggressivo, vuoi perché le difese dell’organismo non sono particolarmente efficaci, può insorgere la malattia.

Classificazione delle micosi

Le micosi sono classificate secondo il livello dei tessuti inizialmente colpiti in: micosi superficiali - limitate allo strato superficiale della pelle e dei peli. micosi cutanee - estese all’interno dell’epidermide, ai peli e alle unghie. A differenza delle micosi superficiali, può esser provocata una risposta immunitaria, con cambiamenti negli strati profondi della cute. Gli organismi che causano queste malattie sono chiamati dermatofiti. Le patologie derivanti sono chiamate spesso tricofizie o tigna.

owners, to prevent them from spreading. Many diseases caused by fungi – the mycoses – fall within this category.

Fungi and mycoses

Mycoses are a group of contagious diseases caused by microscopic fungi. However, not all fungi found on the skin or on the hair cause mycosis. Some type of fungi called saprophytes usually live on the skin of horses (or other animals, men included) without causing any problem. In this case, we do not talk about a disease. Conversely, when this balance is disrupted, either because the fungus is particularly aggressive or because the defenses of the organism are not very effective, the disease can develop.

Classification of mycoses

Mycoses are classified according to the tissue levels initially colonized: superficial mycoses – limited to the outermost layers of the skin and hair. cutaneous mycoses – extend deeper into the epidermis, as well as hair and nail. Unlike the superficial mycoses, host immune responses may be evoked, resulting in changes expressed in the deeper layers of the skin. The organisms that cause these diseases are called dermatophytes. The resulting diseases are often called ringworm or tinea. Subcutaneous mycoses – involve the dermis, subcutaneous tissues, muscle, and fascia. These infections are chronic and can be initiated by piercing trauma to the skin, which allows the fungi to enter. These infections are difficult to treat and may require surgical interventions. Systemic mycoses due to primary pathogens – originate

Micosi ed Igiene/Mycosis and Hygiene

Le micosi non rappresentano un problema solo per il cavallo. Anche nell’uomo, possono creare seri danni. In particolare, il rischio di contrarre queste malattie aumenta sia in condizioni di scarsa igiene, sia nel caso opposto, quando un eccesso di zelo cancella i possibili competitori naturali, i batteri che a loro volta sono normalmente presenti sulla pelle. Un altro fattore di rischio è la frequentazione di luoghi affollati dove i funghi possono prosperare, magari favoriti da condizioni di umidità elevata: piscine, mezzi pubblici e così via.

Mycoses are not just a problem for horses. They can cause serious damage also in man. Specifically, the risk of contracting these diseases increases in conditions of either low or excessive hygiene, the latter being when extreme cleanliness removes the potential natural defenses, i.e. the bacteria that can be normally found on the skin. Another risk factors is represented by crowded places where fungi can prosper, perhaps aided by high humidity conditions, such as in swimming pools, public transport and so on.

micosi sottocutanee - colpiscono il derma, tessuto sottocutaneo, muscoli e fascia. Queste infezioni sono croniche e possono iniziare da tagli della pelle, che permettono ai funghi di penetrare. Sono micosi difficili da curare e possono richiedere interventi chirurgici. micosi sistemiche dovute a funghi molto pericolosioriginate primariamente nei polmoni e che possono diffondersi a molti organi. micosi sistemiche dovute a patogeni opportunistici - sono infezioni di pazienti con deficienze immunitarie che altrimenti non sarebbero colpiti.

Le micosi che interessano i cavalli sono, fortunatamente, principalmente dei primi tre tipi, anche se possono colpire anche strutture profonde (ad esempio,la tasca gutturale). In questo articolo prendiamo dunque in considerazione i primi tre casi.

I sintomi della micosi

Quando un cavallo contrae una micosi, sul suo corpo compaiono macchie circolari prive di pelo, sulla cui superficie la pelle non ha un aspetto normale, e tende a presentare scagliette che si staccano, come forfora. Queste lesioni di solito sono facili da riconoscere in uno stadio avanzato, perché la forma rotondeggiante, l’assenza o scarsità di pelo all’interno, il margine che presenta pelo sollevato lasciano pochi dubbi. Nella fase iniziale tuttavia la micosi è meno riconoscibile, perché il cavallo presenta anche solo punti in cui il pelo risulta sollevato quasi come se avesse minuscole pustoline in diverse parti del corpo. Queste lesioni si possono confondere, a questo stadio, con molte altre malattie o malanni, ad esempio con reazioni allergiche locali o generali.

Come si contrae una micosi

Un cavallo può essere esposto al pericolo di micosi se è in presenza di altri soggetti che sono colpiti, oppure perché le spore dei funghi che causano la malattia vengono a contatto con la sua pelle per il tramite di attrezzi di governo, bardature, coperte e così via. Le probabilità di contrarre la malattia tuttavia aumentano nel caso in cui l’animale sia debole, stressato, malnutrito o predenti segni di una generale scarsa efficacia del sistema immunitario. Questo spiega perché, in un gruppo di cavalli tutti esposti allo stesso rischio di contagio, alcuni contrarranno micosi ed altri no. Il pericolo più grande è comunque costituito dagli attrezzi di governo, che infatti vengono passati sul pelo degli animali e rappresentano dunque un perfetto mezzo di raccolta e di diffusione di spore fungine.

primarily in the lungs and may spread to many organ systems.

Systemic mycoses due to opportunistic pathogens – infections of patients with immune deficiencies who would otherwise not be infected.

Luckily, the mycoses that affect horses are predominantly the first three types, even though they can affect also deep tissues (such as the guttural pouch). In this article we are going to consider the first three types.

Symptoms of mycosis

When a horse is affected by mycosis, round hairless blotches appear on its skin. The skin on these blotches is flaky and does not look normal. Usually, these lesions can be easily identified at an advanced stage, because their round shape, the absence or presence of very little hair on them and their edges where the hair appears raised leave very few doubts. In the initial phase, however, mycosis is less easy to identify, because the horse shows just small spots on which the hair is raised, as if there were tiny pustules on several parts of the body. At this stage, these lesions can be mistaken for many other diseases or illnesses, such as local or general allergic reactions.

How mycosis is caught

A horse can be exposed to the danger of catching mycosis in the presence of other horses that have already been affected or because the spores of fungi causing the disease come into contact with its skin through management tools, harnesses, blankets etc. However, the likelihood of being affected increases if the horse is weakened, stressed, malnourished or shows signs of a general lack of efficiency of its immune system. This explains why, in a group of horses exposed to the same risk of contagion, some of them contract mycosis and others do not.

The greatest risk, in any case, is represented by the management tools, which come into contact with the hair of the animal and so represent the perfect way to pick up and spread fungi spores.

Localizzazione delle micosi

Una micosi può manifestarsi in ogni parte del corpo del cavallo, ma testa, collo e tronco sono più facilmente colpiti. Tipicamente, le lesioni sono distribuite a caso, e non vi è simmetricità: se una determinata zona è colpita sulla destra, non dobbiamo necessariamente aspettarci la stessa lesione sulla sinistra.

Si parla di micosi localizzate, quando il numero delle singole lesioni è basso. Quando invece sono presenti molti punti colpiti in tutto il corpo, si parla di micosi generalizzate (spesso, in questo caso il cavallo non era in buone condizioni o era stressato al momento dell’esposizione al contagio). Il trattamento può variare anche molto tra micosi localizzate e generalizzate.

Cosa fare in caso di micosi

Come sempre nel caso di una cavallo ammalato, e ancor di più poiché si tratta di una malattia contagiosa, occorre isolare il soggetto e disinfettare con cura il suo box e gli attrezzi di governo, che dovranno comunque essere utilizzati in esclusiva dal soggetto colpito in modo da evitare sul nascere la principale via di diffusione. Finimenti, spazzole brusche striglie così come ogni altro oggetto usato, dovranno essere ogni volta lavati e sterilizzati (utili allo scopo amuchina, ammoniaca o candeggina diluite con acqua ) e, importante ribadirlo, utilizzati solo per il soggetto che ha contratto la malattia.

Per il trattamento, esistono degli antimicotici (cioè, degli antibiotici che hanno effetto contro i funghi) che possono essere utilizzati sia localmente che per via generale. In genere, si preferisce utilizzare un trattamento locale per le micosi localizzate, mentre nei casi più gravi si ricorre ad una cura per via generale(antimicotici per bocca o per iniezione). In ogni caso, visto che esiste un rischio di contagio anche per l’uomo, è bene lavarsi accuratamente dopo aver accudito un cavallo colpito, e proteggersi durante il governo con guanti e tute da lavare dopo l’uso.

La cura ha comunque tempi lunghi, e richiede impegno ed attenzione. La pulizia scrupolosissima (sanitizzazione) di tutti i materiali possibili vettori può essere considerata parte della terapia, in quanto è un mezzo indispensabile al fine di evitare le ricadute.

Prevenzione

La prevenzione delle micosi si fonda su alcuni punti essenziali: da un lato, la pulizia degli attrezzi e strumenti che vengono a contatto con il cavallo, la mancata promiscuità di utilizzo, la loro frequente ispezione. Dall’altro, la cura dello stato dell’animale, la mancata induzione di stress, la tutela del benessere. Ancora una volta, diremmo che la salute del cavallo è nelle mani del suo proprietario. q

Localization of mycoses

Mycoses can manifest in every part of the body of the horse, but the head, neck and trunk are most easily affected. Typically, lesions are randomly distributed and there is no symmetry: if a specific area is affected on the right hand side, do not necessarily have to expect the same lesion to appear on the left hand side.

The term “localized mycosis” is used when there is a low number of individual lesions.

Conversely, when many parts are affected throughout the body, the mycosis is “generalized” (often in this case the horse was not in good conditions or was stressed at the moment of the infection). The treatment can very also significantly between localized and generalized mycoses.

What to do in the presence of mycosis

As usual, whenever a horse is ill, and even more so when the disease is contagious, it is necessary to isolate the horse and carefully disinfect its loose box and management tools, which will have to be used only by that horse, so as to prevent the main source of contagion from the start. Harness, brushes, combs and every other object used will have to be washed and sterilized every time (sodium hypochlorite, ammonia or bleach can be used, diluted with water) and, it is worth remembering, used only with the horse affected by the disease.

For the treatment, antimycotics (i.e. antibiotics that can get rid of fungi) can be used locally as well as generally. Usually, it is preferable to use a local treatment for localized mycoses, whereas a general treatment (antimycotics by mouth or injections).

In any case, as there is also a risk for man to be infected, it is best to wash one’s hands accurately after attending to an infected horse, and protect oneself using gloves and protective clothing, which must be washed after use. The treatment takes a long time and requires commitment and attention. The very accurate cleaning (sanitization) of all the material that can potentially spread the infection or cause relapses can be considered part of the treatment.

Prevention

Prevention of mycoses is based on a couple of key points: on the one hand, the cleaning of tools that come into contact with the horse, the lack of promiscuity in their use, their frequent inspection. On the other hand, the treatment of the animal, an environment that does not induce stress and care for the horse’s wellbeing. Once again, we can say that the health of the horse is in the hand of its owner. q

Il tarlo o onicomicosi, ossia “malattia da funghi che colpisce l’unghia”, è appunto un’infezione dovuta a funghi che colpisce il tessuto corneo e in particolare la linea bianca. Il fungo una volta insediatosi nella linea bianca, spinge le sue ife (i sottili fili che costituiscono il “corpo” del fungo stesso) sempre più in profondità senza risparmiare le lamine sensibili dello zoccolo benché il fungo risparmi il tessuto vitale. Il lento raggiungimento di aree sensibili segna l’inizio del dolore e quindi della zoppia. Il coinvolgimento delle lamine è la causa dell’interruzione del nutrimento delle porzioni di muraglia sovrastanti, le quali risulteranno alterate, porose, fragili. L’area alterata di muraglia è uguale in estensione, all’area di lamina sottostante, profonda, interessata dall’infezione da funghi. Il sintomo più eclatante del tarlo risulta essere perciò la zoppia. In tal caso il veterinario, durante l’esame del piede e precisamente durante la percussione con martello, udirà un rumore a scatola vuota indicativo di una cavità all’interno dell’unghia. Dopo aver tolto il ferro, si potrà rendere evidente l’area di ingresso del fungo e la classica polverina bianca che cade dal buco appena evidenziato

Gli Antimicotici

I farmaci antimicotici o antifungini utilizzabili per via generale hanno spesso una caratteristica poco desiderata: la elevata tossicità (in genere, ad esempio, sono mal tollerati dal fegato degli animali trattati) e di conseguenza vengono utilizzati solo in caso di effettiva necessità, a giudizio del medico veterinario curante. Non possono essere utilizzati con relativa leggerezza, come a volte si fa (sbagliando) a volte con gli antibiotici tradizionali. Gli antimicotici per uso locale sono invece di uso più semplice. Si trovano in diverse preparazioni: pomate, lozioni per applicazioni locali, liquidi per spugnaature. Nel caso delle micosi generalizzate, le spugnature sono certamente preferibili, mentre in caso di poche lesioni un trattamento delle singole aree ( ed in particolare dei bordi, nei quali il fungo è vivo e pericoloso) può essere accettabile. Molte sostanze tradizionali posseggono una buona azione antimicotica. Tra queste, la tintura di iodio ed il blu di metilene in soluzione. Questi due preparati hanno tuttavia il difetto di indurre colorazione del pelo, e sono quindi poco proponibili, ad esempio per i cavalli grigi. Normalmente, i preparati antimicotici locali per l’uomo funzionano bene anche per i cavalli e sono trasparenti,per cui vengono molto utilizzati.

Onychomycosis

means “fungal infection of the nail” and affects the nail plate and especially the lunula. Once the fungus settles in the lunula, it pushes its hyphae (i.e. the thin long filament that represents the “body” of the fungus itself) deeper and deeper without sparing the sensitive laminae of the hoof, even though the fungus spares the vital tissue. The slow reaching of sensitive areas marks the start of pain and therefore of lameness. The attack to the laminae is the cause of the interruption of nutrition of portions of the outer layers, which will start to appear altered, porous and brittle. In terms of extension, the altered area of the wall is equal to the area of the underside affected by the fungal Theinfection. most visible sign of this infection is lameness. In this case, when the vet examines the foot and hits the nail with a hammer, he/she will hear an “empty box” sound, which indicated that there is an empty space inside the nail. After removing the shoe, it will be possible to see the point in which the fungus entered the nail and the traditional white powder coming out of the hole.

Antimycotics

Antimycotic or antifungal drugs that can be administered generally have often an undesired characteristics: they are highly toxic (e.g. not well tolerated by the liver of the animals treated) and, as a result, are only used in cases of effective necessity, of the vet administering the treatment. They cannot be used liberally, as we sometimes do (wrongly) with traditional antibiotics.

Antimycotics used locally are easier to administer. They can be prepared as ointments, local application lotions, liquids for sponge baths. In case of generalized mycoses, sponge baths are certainly preferable, whereas in case of few lesions it is acceptable to treat the individual areas (especially the edges, in which the fungus is alive and dangerous).

Many traditional substances have a good antimyotic action. Among them, the tincture of iodine and methylene-blue in solution. However, these two products have the disadvantage of dying the hair, so they are not recommended, for example, for gray horses. Usually, local antimycotics for man work well also on horses and are transparent, so widely used.

The photographic journey of a husband & wife

Photography is one of the common interests that brought us together across the continents. Ziggy being from Belgium and Maxine from South Africa, we met during our time in Qatar. Since we were young, we have both been interested in photography as a hobby and have enjoyed taking on new challenges. The art of appreciating the splendor around us. None is as important as light - it is what brings into our eyes the beauty of what is and allows us to capture every moment.

It is this very light that we enjoy photographing in every way and it is what allows us to enjoy the beauty of the fauna & flora on both land and sea, from the largest stars, moon & sun, to the smallest macro details around us, and the emotions of the people that enjoy them.

“I love the challenge of capturing that single moment in time and creating a reflection, in such a way that it becomes an everlasting cherished memory.”

Ziggy Wellens

“I am passionate about people, photography, stories, and Jesus. Capturing life’s pure moments is a joy! It is an honor and pleasure to capture things as they are.”

Maxine Wellens.

Ziggy & Maxine Photography www.ziggymaxine.com Ziggymaxine@hotmail.com

Ziggy & Maxine Photography www.ziggymaxine.com | Ziggymaxine@hotmail.com

Ziggy & Maxine Photography www.ziggymaxine.com | Ziggymaxine@hotmail.com

Maximum comfort and minimum transport time for your horses.

n by Agricon Logistic

International horse transport - Import:

Profit from our passion for horses. Win time and security with Agricon Logistic horse transport.

We take care of everything and ensure you a safe and smooth transportation of your horses! A professional and secure horse transport requires not only a lot of experience and knowhow, but also a comprehensive and competent preparation. Before your horses arrive at the destination, you will of course receive a detailed and professional advice of the entire shipping process. That way you have a secure feeling from the start.

From the application of permits, the preparation of health certificates, the clearance and inspection by the official veterinarian, the transportation in special horse transport trucks to the airport, plus the customs clearance to load

your horses into special flight containers and the airfreight to country of destination we take care and watch over everything during the horse transportation.

We assure that, throughout the whole horse transport your horses will be attended and cared by our own professional grooms. Starting with the preparations and the coordination of loading, the securing of your horses for a comfortable and safe transport through to the reception at the destination. We are there when your horse needs us. If requested, we have the capacity to prepare your horses in our own stables consisting of 25 boxes as well as a separate quarantine barn with 20 horseboxes.

INTERNATIONAL HORSETRANSPORT

Horse transport - Attendance:

We know what your horses feel.

The preparation for transport of course includes the professional and permanent support from the stables of departure to the final reception barn.

In addition to the employed staff of our professional flight attendants, we only work with reliable horse grooms (according to IATA Live Animals Regulations), professional

horse transport companies and specialized agents. To ensure an optimum of supply, jerry cans, buckets, hay net and bedding are of course provided. The flight attendants for our international horse transports are precisely briefed in advance to assure that your horses are in good hands during the entire flight.

International horse transport - Service:

We are prepared for global horse transportation.

Profit from our ambition to find and realise the optimum for your horse transport! Profit from our passion, our experience and our highly qualified team. Profit from our worldwide network of selected partners who share our passion for highest standards in horse shipping - worlwide.

• road transport in Germany and Europe

• Import and export clearance

• application and preparation of all required documentation incl. health certificates according to countries of destination

• pre export quarantine in our own quarantine stables

• Preparation of horses for export, blood tests, official

veterinary inspection at our own stables incl. grazing.

• transport to/from airport in special horse trucks

• completion of all customs formalities

• stabling at airport of departure upon request

• global horse shipping by airfreight

• coordination and secure of the horses

• flight attendance by professional grooms

• preparation of import- and export documentation

• application of import and export permits

• import and export customs clearance

• veterinary inspection and clearance at airport of destination

• road transport to stables at destination

International horse shipping - Export:

We accompany your horse safely through all requirements.

Each country has its own laws and regulations, regarding the necessary health certificates, customs clearance and quarantine requirement. That does not make things easier. But there is no need to worry.

We know the requirements and with our long-term experience with international horse transports you have an expert at your side, you can rely on. You will receive a comprehensive consultation regarding all the preparations for the export. This includes the process and implementation

of import customs and veterinary clearance in the destination country, as well as the booking of any required post-arrival quarantine.

Afterwards the horses are then moved in special horse transporter to reach the stable. Everything for your horse transportation is planned to the smallest detail, so that your horses arrive comfortably and safely in the country of destination.

Horse Transport:

We provide everything, to make sure your horses arrive safely at their destination.

Agricon Logistic sets up highest standards for the safe transport of your horses.

We exclusively work with reputable airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM, Martin Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways and experienced horse transporters. The horses entrusted to our care are transported safely to and from the airport by special horse-trucks. At the airlines handling terminal the animals are loaded in disinfected special horse transport containers before shipping by air. Of course the containers

meet the requirement of the IATA Live Animals Regulations. If necessary, the horses can be stabled at the airport before departure. That way the horses get the opportunity to get some rest before going on a long trip. We can assure that the monitoring and comprehensive care of the horses are guaranteed at any time during the entire horse transport.

This way it is guaranteed that your horses are safe and sound until they reach their point of destination.

Horse transportation - Worldwide:

Wherever you want your horses to go - we will make it possible.

Europe

Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Istanbul, London, Liege, Luxemburg, Maastricht, Moscow, Munich, Ostend, Paris, Toulouse, Vienna, Wildeshausen

Asia

Amman, Bangkok, Beirut, Casablanca, Chennai, Doha, Dubai, Hongkong, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Lahore, Mumbai, Muskat, Dehli, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Tashkent, Tehran, Tokio, Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah

Africa

Accra, Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg, Khartoum, Kapstadt, Nairobi, Tunis, Tripoli

South America

Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Mexiko City, Sao Paulo

North America

Calgary, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Toronto

Australia

Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney

Agricon-Logistic GmbH & Co. KG | International Horse Transports

Bargloy 17 | 27793 Wildeshausen (Germany)

Contact:

Agricon-Logistic GmbH & Co. KG

Bargloy 17 - 27793 Wildeshausen - Germany

Fon: +49 (0) 44 31 - 73 84 -80 | Fax: +49 (0) 44 31 - 73 84 -81

Mail: info@agricon-logistic.com

phone: +49 (0) 44 31 - 73 84 -80 - Fax: +49 (0) 44 31 - 73 84 -81 - E-Mail: info@agricon-logistic.com www.agricon-horsetransports.de

www.agricon-horsetransports.de

photo by Gregor Aymar

LA FRASERA

Straight Egyptian Horses

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La Frasera - Serenella e Francesco Santoro Via Borneo 25 00144 Roma (IT)

All. Via Castellaccio 2547 Monterosi - Nepi (VT) - +393495906607 - +39065913526

www.lafrasera.it

MAJD AL RAYYAN | FRASERA MASHARA - 13.05.2006 DAHAMAH SHAWAN

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