Friends & Clients Weekend

AT ROYAL ARABIANS

Aware that it is the people who you surround yourself with that is a measure of your success, Royal Arabians set out to thank those who support them. Inviting over 200 to their Friends/Clients weekend held at their Scottsdale farm January 6th-8th, it was a celebration of an incredible 2022 show season and an amazing educational weekend for all.

Included in the festivities was a presentation of Scottsdale show and sale horses for the upcoming 2023 season, as well as the stallions that will stand at Royal Arabians for the 2023 breeding season.

The “education” portion of the weekend culminated in a great group of experts sharing their years of experience in the industry. McKay Stirland, a lawyer, informed about equine contracts, and the dos and don’ts when you buy a horse; Paul Kostial was on hand to explain what the goals are and objective is of his non-profit program “We Love Arabian Horses”; Murilo Kammer, one of the world’s top breeders and judges, gave a great presentation on the different styles of Arabians between countries; and Greg Knowles gave a presentation on what a halter judge looks for when judging, and talked some on genetics and how to use them in individual breeding programs.

It was an incredibly fun weekend, and Royal Arabians’ generosity did not go unnoticed. Not only were they incredibly giving with their time, facility, and knowledge, host Cindy McGown, provided all the meals and beverages for the entire group for the whole weekend. It was a weekend that earned the goal of becoming an annual event for all who want to learn more about the wonderful world of the Arabian Horse. n

2023 SCOTTSDALE SUCCESS!

March/April

TODAY’S IN-HAND LEADERS

REGION 12 SPOTLIGHT FUTURITY

SCOTTSDALE SHOW COVERAGE

2022 AWARDS

ARABIAN BREEDERS WORLD CUP

TODAY’S SADDLE SEAT & WESTERN LEADERS

Shirley Shepherd Watts, 84, of Halsdon Arabians, died peacefully on December 16, following a short illness.

Born in London, she met her husband Charlie in 1961 when they were both studying at the Royal College of Art.

Sharing a passion for horses, they founded Halsdon Arabians in Halsdon, north Devon in the early 2000s, the 600-acre stud home to around 200 horses.

Shirley’s interest in Arabians began more than 50 years ago when her husband showed her a photograph of an Arab stallion and she fell in love. After their first Arab purchase, a part-bred, it spiraled from there.

Their breeding program focused on Polish Arabians and had a number of prolific Polish-bred mares with bloodlines going back to the three-quarter Egyptian stallion Palas. Shirley was a regular visitor to the Polish Arab horse sales and the Pride of Poland Arab horse auction, and she enjoyed much success in the show ring. The stud’s HS prefix became renowned in the Arabian horse world, with many horses carrying it, particularly in endurance.

Shirley was also known for her love of greyhounds and was a long-term supporter and patron of the Forever Hounds Trust.

Shirley is preceded in death by husband of 57 years, Charlie (2021), and is survived by daughter Seraphina, her son-in-law Barry, granddaughter Charlotte, sisters Jackie and Jill, and brother Stephen.

Born to Bill Nolan and Anna Kenny, and raised schooling many breeds, Ann’s first horse was a palomino Half-Arabian from the Ringling Bros. Circus. By 1961, she had a stable of her own, where she taught riding. She married mechanical engineer Harold Stover, who lovingly supported Ann’s and their only daughter Beth’s dreams.

Ann was an advocate for the wellbeing of animals and humans alike in all aspects of the industry under the many hats of rescuer, teacher, trainer, competitor, judge, and friend. The words “knowledge, kindness, integrity and dedication” were used many times to describe the person Ann was.

In addition to training, competing in and earning National titles, Ann served the industry in many roles as a president, judge, and member of many commissions and committees.

“Ann was an icon in this industry and did so much for our youth,” says Nancy Harvey, “both as part of organizing and running events, as well as providing a safe haven for those youth and adults that needed it.”

Martha Rattner agrees. “If the Arabian world had a Queen Elizabeth, it would be Ann Stover. Southern to the soul, Ann was part of the rise of many young, dedicated trainers, and was part of building some major breeding programs She was never afraid to call it like she saw it and she was always right. She was a mentor and a hero; the iron spoke in the wheel.”

Sharon Hassel Behringer of Terrell, Texas was a member of the Arabian horse community for 30 years, serving as show committee chairman and announcer, as well as a board member, Vice President, and President at various times over the years in her local Lone Star Arabian Horse Club. She and her husband, Ernest, bred 18 Arabians, local Champion and Regional Top Five Azim Ibn Kaset among them, who in turn sired 29 progeny himself.

Sharon is remembered by those around her as a good friend to many, a loving wife, an artist, an animal lover, an incredible horse show manager and announcer, and so much more. With strong faith and a smile always on her face, Sharon could often be seen rushing behind the scenes in her quiet, helpful way… holding a horse for a child or encouraging others.

Jack Thomas (1955-2022)

Jack Harding Thomas, Jr. was born in San Diego, CA on January 18, 1955, to Jack Harding Thomas, Sr. and Rosa Nell Stacks Thomas.

His love of animals grew as a young boy being around his father’s farm in Alabama where horses were trained. Once Jack graduated from Brewer High School in 1973, it was a natural progression from riding and showing horses, to working fulltime with his father in the horse training business.

It was a true love affair when the first Arabian horse arrived at the barn. Jack found them so splendid, the farm became an Arabian training facility. Over the following 40 years, Jack received National, Reserved National, and numerous Top Ten awards for horses he had trained.

Jack became a judge for the Arabian Horse Association and was honored to have judged the U.S. and Youth National Championships, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, The Buckeye, National Show Horse Finals, and the Houston Livestock Show, as well as internationally at the Canadian National Championship and in Sydney Australia’s East Coast Championship.

Jack’s faith was very important to him, as was his husband, Tony, whose career often took them to new places. Jack took on new roles in the retail and hospitality industries after retiring from the horse business in 2015, and everywhere he went, he made lifelong friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jacquelyn Nell Thomas Bowman. He leaves behind his husband, Tony Shubert, his niece Katie Rose Bowen, his mother-in-law Carol Shubert and various friends and family.