Dr. Ibrahim Zaghloul Passes Away
This article was originally posted by Ralph Suarez on his "for the love of a horse..." blog and is reprinted here with his generous permission.
Dr. Ibrahim Zaghloul
other stallion I knew. The day of that first show at El Zahraa when I had to announce
that he had died that morning was something that does not leave me even now."
Dr. Ibrahim Zaghloul died last night in Egypt. His interview with Pat Canfield in the December 2010 issue of Arabian Horse World, as part of a world-wide forum brought together to discuss Phillipe Paraskevas' book, The Egyptian Alternative, would end up being the last words he made to the Arabian Horse community.
He worked alongside with Dr. Ameen Zaher and Dr. Mohamed Marsafi. When Dr. Marsafi retired in 1980, Dr. Zaghloul was named Director General of the EAO, a position he held and loved, for many years. After he retired from the EAO, he went to Bahrain for three years, to manage the breeding program of the Royal Stud.
In my blog, I refer to Dr. Zaghloul an awful lot. And I hope this conveys the deep respect and admiration that I have for this man, for his knowledge and his experiences. For many years, he was the face I associated with the Egyptian Agricultural Association. His insight was extremely valuable, as I felt, he understood the horse best. Many of the horses that Dr. Zaghloul cherished, I learned to also cherish and eventually, to adore them, as he did.
but I cannot tell you why."
Is one ever ready to say good-bye to someone you like very much? There is never a good time to face an emptier life, without their influence. I didn't think Dr. Zaghloul would live forever but I did believe that he would be with us for a longer time. Long enough for him to safeguard the EAO program, as it transitions to a new location. Now, with a heavy heart, I must say good-bye to Dr. Zaghloul and I hope that with his very own words, I may honor an extraordinary man.
you’re a butterfly,
and butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye..."
-from the song, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Good-bye Dr. Zaghloul and thank you, for a life well-lived, with much honor, while insuring that all would follow in your path, recognizing and respecting the dignity of the Egyptian Arabian Horse.
