July Member Spotlight: Zajaddi Egyptian Arabians

Zajaddi Egyptian Arabians
Duane & Diana Cantey
129 Brooklan Lane
Mt. Vernon, AR 72111
cantey@windstream.net
www.zajaddiegyptianarabians.com

Zajaddi Egyptian Arabians, located in scenic central Arkansas in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, is proudly celebrating a decade of Straight Egyptian Arabian breeding and 10 years of membership with The Pyramid Society. Duane & Diana Cantey, along with their 2 sons Zach and Jake, moved to Arkansas in Augsut 2000. They embarked on a mission to breed quality Straight Egyptian Arabian bloodstock that would impact breeding programs globally. They may be "small breeders" with a limited herd, but they believe that big things come in small packages. They have the vision, dedication, commitment, patience and perserverence to meet and exceed their goals.

Zajaddi's breeding success over the past 10 years can be attributed to their outstanding mare Azaamah (by Tammen x Aleeyah by Ibn* Morafic). Three of her daughters by Imperial Baarez have been shown at the Egyptian Event Futurities to Top Five or better including the 2006 Yearling Futurity Champion Filly Imperial Beveerah, owned and bred by Imperial Egyptian Stud. She was later sold and exported to Belgium. Azaamah's 2004 colt by Imperial Baarez, Baarafic, was twice awarded Sumpreme Champion in Australia and is now siring show champions of his own for his owners, Ron & Lorraine Bond of Chaswyck Stud, QLD AU.

Zajaddi retained Azaamah's second daughter by Imperial Baarez, Baariyah, who produced a beautiful colt in 2009 named Zaarakh by Imperial Shehaab. Trained by Omni Arabians, he was shown by Ricardo Rivera for his owners, H.E. Abdulal Al-Qenaei and his daughter Reem of Kuwait, to a very respectable Top Five (4th) in his yearling futurity class at this year's Egyptian Event. He also recieved Top Five honors in the combined futurity out of 17 colts, whiched earned Zajaddi Egyptian Arabians a Breeders Excellence Award. His owners tentatively plan to export and show him at the National show in Kuwait in 2011.

The Pyramid Society has been an integral part of Zajaddi's success. Their mission, to preserve, perpetuate and promote the Straight Egyptian horse is accomplished through various ways including attendance at the Egyptian Event, and the National Breeders' Conferences.