That is what they all say, everyone who knows Al Maliik.
Danielle Taylor, breeder of Al Maliik and owner of his dam, the late Maya El Jamaal: “When [he was a foal], I walked the field and he would be the first out of 20 to come up to me. From day one, he never offered to kick; he was always happy, always had his tail up. I never had to correct him. [When he was older] I would jump on him in the field and ride him around.”
Ricardo Rivero, who conditioned the stallion in preparation for his introduction to the public at parties in Scottsdale: “He is so hard to fault. He has no conformational flaws, no bad feet, no bad legs—it’s all together. But while he has a showy presence, his temperament is exceptionally trainable. He’s so easy to work with and cool in the barn. Anybody can go in the stall with him.”
Cynics might say that the horse can’t be that pretty if everyone talks about his personality first. They would be dead wrong, and the proof is in the facts. At the 2014 World Cup, Al Maliik scored the highest for ‘body and type’ of any entry at the show, placing reserve champion in Stallions 5-8 Years Old and Bronze Supreme Champion Senior Stallion.
Suzanne Acevedo, who owns Al Maliik with her husband, Daniel: “We’ve owned other stallions that are wonderful, but never one like this. He’s got a different feel about him. I don’t know how you explain it; it’s a demeanor, like he’s a true gentleman. He has the charisma and show attitude, but he’s so gentle. He has heart, so you want to handle him softly.”
“He’s like the old world Arabian paintings of white stallions,” observes Acevedo, citing the celebrated Adolf Schreyer portraits that for more than a century have represented the Arabian horse for its beauty, fiery spirit and partnership with its human companions. “That’s how he acts; he’s majestic. He looks like a horse who can take you where you need to go.”
“Aesthetically, he is an awesome horse,” says Andy Sellman of Al Maliik, the 7-year-old stallion he debuted at the Arabian Breeders World Cup. “He is beautiful to look at, but what stands out to me—what I love most about him—is his character.”
Volume 44, No. 12 | 15