sax Arabians Germany Walter Mishek speaks with Reinhard Sax, who with his wife, Monika, is celebrating 25 years of breeding Arabian horses. How and why did you become involved with the Arabian breed? In 1985, my son and I took riding lessons with a successful trainer in Landshut, with the result of my son’s desire to have his own horse. Our first was a Warmblood show jumper named Galapagos, who initially had been put at our disposal for the riding lessons. As my son’s ability improved, it became clear that in addition to Galapagos, we needed to find a younger and better horse for jumping.
Essteema—1999 Triple Crown winning filly—here 14 years later, just presented during the Aachen weekend for the 25th Anniversary of Sax Arabians.
I didn’t wish to spend my time at public stud farms and was, therefore, looking to find a suitable yard for myself within the Landshut area, my home and birthplace. The search was extended to the whole of Lower Bavaria, and in the summer of 1986, we found the property—an old, run-down farm—that was to become our home. At first there were thoughts of a perfect renovation job; however, on closer inspection, it was quickly recognized that we needed to initiate the process of getting demolition authorized and stick to that plan. The rebuilding of the yard with the stables began in March 1987, and a year later, the move which had been so longed for took place. Due to our friendship with successful and well-known breeder, Fritz Koenig, I was already very close to Arabian horses. As a consequence, I immediately had to get my first Arabian. It was a 2-year-old colt called Nomech, a son of World Champion Nahbay. I, full of pride, led him myself over the yard and into his box. 30 | A r A b i A n H or se Ti m es
Nomech was my basic training, and I learned how to handle an Arabian horse from scratch—in particular, a young Arabian stallion. I decided to enter Nomech for the “Selection for breeding purposes,” but unfortunately, had to be content that he was sent home “not selected.” A few months later, Fritz Koenig and I went to an Arabian Show in Mindelheim, and I fell in love with a 2-year-old filly by Neman called Bavaria, who was bred and presented at the show by Silvia Garde-Ehlert. She won her class, and shortly after, changed to my stable, together with her half-sister, Nemanda, and Nemanda’s 2-week-old filly Nijala (by Naturel). I later re-named Bavaria, “Baviera.” Within the first few months, the six boxes which had been planned were full, and I had to think about expansion. A further six stalls, which are currently stallion boxes, were built. After everything had developed so nicely, there were then horses which I just had to have. First, I fell in love with w w w . AHTimes . com