The 2011 Arabian Horse Times’ Most Beautiful Baby Contest Winner:
Shahlana RRX by Kara Larson
The 17th Annual Beautiful Baby Contest consisted of a field of nearly 30 young colts and fillies, but it all came down to just one when Shahlana RRX, a special bay filly, stole the spotlight and took home the title of winner. Every entry was exceptional, but the photo of Shahlana RRX reflected an undeniably Arabian look and beauty that netted her the prize. The photo was taken when the filly was just 1-weekold, but it is clear that with a face like that, featuring eyes so bright and a dish so prominent, she holds great promise for the future as both a show horse and broodmare. The breeder and owner of Shahlana RRX, Donald “Jack” Reyes of Minneapolis, Minn., couldn’t be happier with his promising youngster. “I’ve always thought that having a good mare is half the battle, and in my farm full of mares, KW Bay Supressa has really proven herself as a quality producer,” Reyes says. “It was more chance than anything that this breeding came about, but I have really found a good match between KW Bay Supressa and the imported stallion Joys Creation. I plan to breed Supressa back to him in the future, and I look forward to future crosses between the two.” Reyes selected Joys Creation based on a couple of suggestions, but it was the one from photographer Christina Rousseau, who had taken pictures of the stallion the summer before, that convinced him to go through with the breeding. When Shahlana RRX arrived, his veterinarian called to say what every breeder dreams of hearing. “[He] said, ‘Hey, you’ve got to come see this filly; you’ve really got
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something special here,’” Reyes recalls. “I couldn’t wait to see what the filly was like. It’s been such an exciting journey from day one.” In terms of Shahlana’s personality, Reyes offers that the filly, who is now in training with Jerry Schall at Shada Inc., truly is a special horse. “It seems that she is able to take everything in stride,” he says. “She is very gentle in the stall and even laid back at times. When it comes to work, though, she really turns it on. She’s got that Bey Shah ‘snort and blow,’ and calls for full attention with her tail over back as she whinnies around the arena. She definitely likes to think that she is the belle of the ball.” For a beautiful and auspicious filly like Shahlana RRX, the next step is a vital one. Reyes plans to develop a solid start to her show career at Shada and also put together an effectual marketing strategy. “She doesn’t exactly fit into my normal plan,” he says. “I prefer to be the one who breeds the horse good enough to show, and then steps back when it comes to showing. However, Shahlana calls for something more from me.”
2011 Beautiful BaBy Contest winner shahlana rrX, Bred and owned By donald “JaCk” reyes.
Even though the filly is causing Reyes to take on a different role than he is accustomed to, he couldn’t be more thrilled with the prospect of the bay filly’s future. “It’s always been my goal to just breed the best I can with what I have, and this time, I really hit the nail on the head,” he says. “We expect great things from her and I look forward to seeing what she can do both in the show ring and as a broodmare in the future.” n