Egyptian Arabian Breeders Mourn the Passing of Barbara Griffith of Imperial Egyptian Stud

On October 21, 2010, the passing of Mrs. Barbara Griffith of Imperial Egyptian Stud brought to a close the final chapter of more than 40 years of an exceptional breeding program.  After the loss of her husband, Douglas Griffith in 1980, Barbara had continued to take the Imperial Egyptian Stud breeding program from strength to strength, always breeding towards the goal of producing horses that were in eqaul parts beautiful, good-tempered, athletic, and of true Arabian type.  Always insisting that the farm name be synonymous with Arabian horses of the highest quality, Barbara was equally adamant that it also hold true to her requirements for honor and integrity in their dealings with clients and all admirers of the Arabian horse.  The resulting impact on generations of people who love and appreciate the breed has been monumental, not only amongst breeders of purebred Arabians, but the legions of Pony Club riders who compete on geldings bred at Imperial, the 4H Club members who were invited to take their judging classes on the farm, the artists, poets, musicians and dreamers who were welcomed with warmth by Barbara and her staff.  The loss of a woman with such self-effacing wisdom, who always directed the spotlight of attention soundly on the horses she bred rather than upon herself, signals the end of an era of graciousness and beauty of character embodied by Barbara Griffith and reflected in the legacy of truly remarkable horses carrying the blood of the Imperial herd.