5 0 Ye a r s o f A r a b i a n H o r s e W o r l d at the McCormick Auction for $150,000. The next high-selling horse at that auction brought $25,000 (*Pallada). Some thought that six-digit figure was non compos mentis. But some in the Arabian world — Lasma, for instance — heard the message loud and clear. Soon the whole Arabian world would change, drastically.
1970 U.S. National Champion Stallion: *Aramus (*Naborr x Amneris) U.S. National Champion Mare: Dancing Flame (*Bask x Habina) U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt: Al Metrabbi (*Morafic x *Sammara) U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly: Happilii (*Ghalii x Happy Talk) The first meeting of the Pyramid Society was held, with Doug Marshall chosen president, Jay Stream vice president (he owned *Ibn Moniet El Nefous at the time), Judi Forbis secretary, and Willis Flick treasurer. That year a record importation from Egypt landed in Toronto — 33 horses, among them *Ramses Fayek and *Zaghloul. At the 1970 Nationals, “Living Legends” *Naborr, Gazon, Ferzon, AlMarah Erka, Surf, Indy, Saki, Fadjur, *Silver Drift, Azraff, and Ga’Zi were showcased in a special exhibit. Bint Sahara, who was featured on a World cover at age 29, had a son (Fadjur), a grandson (Ferzon), and a great-grandson (Gazon) in that exclusive lineup. Also featured on a 1970 cover: Abu Farwa (Rabiyas x *Rissletta), then 30 years of age. *Aramus by *Naborr was chosen National Champion Stallion by both the U.S. and Canada that year. A news item reported *Naborr’s stud fee to be $10,000. In 1970, four *Raseyn sons were still alive. A GBE Championship Sire Line article found the *Raffles line was first, with 467 champions credited to the line. At the International Arabian Horse Sale, Mraff, an 18-year-old *Raffles son, sold for $36,000. Second high was a Comet daughter at $13,000. Jay Stream was selected chairman of a steering committee at the second meeting of the “World Arabian Horse Organization,” charged with turning the loosely organized group into a cohesive unit. Fourteen nations were represented. Henry Babson died at age 94. The Lewisfield Arabian Art Collection was displayed at Madison Square Garden, whence it toured the country. The “Arabian Ranch Trials,” testing Arabian horses for real working ranch skills (an idea of Bazy Tankersley), was held as usual at the Rushcreek Land and Cattle Co. ranch in Nebraska. Southern California held its first sale. High-seller was Sir Lancer (Ga’Zi x Feyn), 1963 Canadian National Champion Stallion, who brought $7,200. Mike Nichols joined the AHA of Southern California and won a Reserve Championship Gelding award with his Mr Harvey by Ferneyn, at the big Santa Barbara show. The AHSA spot-tested for drugs at the Nationals for the first time (it was not yet required) and reported all 20 random tests taken to be negative.
Top: 1969 U.S. National Champion Mare Fame (*Bask x Wirdih Jameel). Middle: 1970 U.S. National Champion Mare Dancing Flame (*Bask x Habina). Bottom: 1970 U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt Al Metrabbi (*Morafic x *Sammara).
9 b FIFTY YEARS OF ARABIAN HORSE WORLD