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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, June 20, 2002.
The
Egyptian Event,
considered the most important show of the year for
Egyptian Arabian
horses, attracted a record number of participants this year for its
five-day competition, June 4-8, at the Kentucky Horse Park.
"The Event,"
which began in 1981, crowns what are considered to be
the top representatives of Egyptian bloodlines in the American
Arabian industry. In 2002, more than 330 horses were on hand for the
competition, which included the traditional show ring disciplines of
halter, various performance classes and dressage. In excess of
$120,000 in prizes was offered, including $40,000 in the Egyptian
Breeders' Challenge alone.
The title of Supreme Champion Stallion went to RZA OrientExpress,
who also was named Senior Champion Stallion. A four-year-old grey,
owned by Dennis and Pamela Key of Pilot Point, Texas, RZA
OrientExpress was shown by trainer Steve Dady. Among mares, the
Supreme Champion distinction was the property of Dorian Oreana, also
Senior Champion Mare, exhibited by Steve Dady for owner Dorian Weil.
Of particular note this year was the
Pyramid Challenge Endurance
Ride, which was held on Saturday morning. The 25- and 50-mile races,
which are AERC sanctioned and open to all breeds, drew praise from
the endurance community when it was inaugurated last year, and in
2002 saw its entries rise to more than 100 participants. Both races
were won for the first time by straight Egyptian Arabian horses.
The 25-mile competition was won by WH Desert Sword, owned by David
and Martha Lucas of Whitehaven Plantation, Bishopville, South
Carolina. In the 50-mile event, the winner was TP Shahlouk, owned
and bred by Tommy and Maggie Ticktin of Tyger Pines Arabians, Moore,
South Carolina. Each titlist was presented with a saddle contributed
by Amid Abdelhamid, Stud Manager to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, of
Morocco.
The Egyptian Event is known not only for its world-class
competition, but also for its educational and social activities.
This year, three seminars were held, courtesy of the Pyramid
Foundation, Inc. Topics included "Equine Anatomy-From Science to Art
and Beyond," with veterinarian and farrier Dr. Ric Redden and
sculptor Karen Kasper; "If Wishes Were Horses," detailing the story
of renowned stallion Ansata Ibn Halima, with Judi Forbis; and
"Breeding the Problem Mare," with Dr. Michelle LeBlanc. Additional
forums were available for young exhibitors, covering the western
pleasure discipline and the history of the Egyptian Arabian.
An important adjunct to the Egyptian Event is the fundraising
activity which supports many of the Pyramid Society's programs. The
Egyptian Breeders' Challenge Stallion Breeding Auction, in which
more than 60 breedings to prominent straight Egyptian stallions were
offered for sale, contributes to the substantial prize money offered
in the EBC classes, which are open only to the foals resulting from
services purchased at the auction. Many of the stallions whose
breedings were available were presented live in the ever-popular
Stallion Showcase.
This year's EBC class Champions were owned by two small breeders,
who each took home over $10,300.00 in prize money from a single
class! M. Kent Mayfield of Dodgeville, Wisconsin owned the EBC
Champion Filly, Nakhda Saqqara. This filly resulted from a breeding
to the stallion, CN Jericho, which was purchased at the 1999 EBC
Auction. Jennifer Parsons also of Victoria Harbor, Ontario, Canada
also purchased an EBC breeding to Simeon Shai and is now the proud
owner of the 2002 EBC Champion colt, Etaya Amir! Jennifer also
received an additional $1000 as the highest placing amateur owner in
this class. Congratulations to Kent and Jennifer!
A bazaar of useful and decorative items were available for purchase
throughout the week by silent auction, and a live auction in
conjunction with Friday night's celebratory dinner offered exquisite
renderings by some of the most highly-acclaimed artists in the
industry.
In addition to its more serious activities, the show is known for
its festivities, and is a social highlight for owners. This year,
Friday night's dress-up dinner and dance included a tribute to the
"Queen of Hearts," the foundation mare *Marouffa, of the historic
Babson breeding program. The presentation also featured a special
remembrance of Elizabeth Babson Tieken, daughter of Henry B. Babson.
Mrs. Tieken died in February 2002.
On the social calendar as well were a Pizza Party for young
horsemen, numerous barn parties, breakfasts, and the
much-anticipated Grand Finale Party on Saturday night, which this
year was divided between two locations: At the Hunter/Jumper
pavilion, revelers could dance the night away, while in the Patrons'
Lounge, those who wanted a more subdued celebration could discuss
the high spots of the week.
As usual, the Egyptian Event offered one of the sport's most
comprehensive collection of commercial vendors. A sellout in 2002,
the vendors provided a wide array of necessary (or just simply
desirable) items, from barn equipment to fine jewelry and art.
The Pyramid Society's Egyptian Event is known not only on a national
level, but internationally as well. In 2002, visitors from
Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Morocco, the Netherlands, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and traveled to
Lexington for the competition. The Event is truly a one of a kind
experience.
For information on this year's Egyptian Event, to take place June 2-7, 2003, contact: The Pyramid Society P.O. Box 11941, Lexington,
KY 40579, U.S.A., Ph: (859) 231.0771, Fax: (859) 255-4810, e-mail:
info@PyramidSociety.org
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