Post-Event Press Release

The 29^th Annual Egyptian Event, held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY from June 1-6, 2009 was certainly a year to be remembered. Beyond the myriad of activities celebrating the Egyptian Arabian horse and surrounding community, the 2009 Egyptian Event also marked the 40^th Anniversary of The Pyramid Society.

The Event kicked off on Monday, June 1st with a complimentary clinic entitled “Assessing Conformation in Egyptian Arabian Horses”, featuring Dr. John Shelle from Michigan State University and Elizabeth Salmon from Texas, as guest speakers. As audience members danced along with great music representative of each past decade as part of the 40^th Anniversary festivities, horses began to fill the arena beginning at 1:00 p.m. Monday afternoon classes included the beautiful Most Classic Head exhibitors, along with Egyptian/Sired Futurity Finals, the Produce of Dam and Get of Sire classes. Tuesday morning attendees were once again welcomed to participate in Part II of Dr. Shelle’s clinic on “Assessing Conformation in Egyptian Arabian horses”, along with guest speaker Joseph Polo from Indiana. Amateur Western Riders began the morning session, followed by World Class yearling fillies and colts in the afternoon and Open Hunter Pleasure closing the Tuesday evening session.

By Wednesday the Event was in full swing beginning in the morning with the Newcomers Welcome Breakfast and Membership Meeting and later the always exciting Stallion Showcase held in the covered arena. The crowd cheered as each beautiful Straight Egyptian stallion entered the ring for his moment in the spotlight. The audience was then invited to join the stallions in center ring for an up close and personal look. Individuals of all ages greatly enjoyed this opportunity to photograph the stallions, visit with owners and give them a nice pat on the neck! At the close of the Stallion Showcase individuals headed outdoors to the first round of Barn Parties which included great food, bubbling champagne and numerous presentations of spectacular Egyptians. As people made their way back to the arena after the Barn Parties, a Shopping and Social hour was held in the arena concourse featuring complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres sponsored by Pamela Onusko of Apex Arabians. This provided a great opportunity for individuals to take advantage of the dozens of unique commercial exhibitors present.

Thursday, June 4^th was filled with exciting competition and fun activities, including a seminar entitled “What’s In a Name”: Making Sense of SOFI, AK, Blue List and More, presented by Anita Enander. Youngsters attending the Event enjoyed a youth judging class followed by a tour of Hagyard Equine Medical Hospital and later a visit to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. Classes were followed Thursday afternoon by a presentation of Private Treaty horses offered at the Egyptian Event. After viewing the sale horses, people made their way outside to enjoy the second group of barn parties before the evening class session began. Classes ended for the night with the always popular Costume Class.

Joe Ferriss began Friday morning’s activities with an educational seminar on the legendary stallion *Morafic. Gorgeous futurity fillies and colts filled the arena for the morning and afternoon sessions. At the close of the afternoon classes, crowds fled back to their hotels in preparation for the highly anticipated “1001 Arabian Nights” Gala & Fundraiser held at The Embassy Suites. The Gala was surely an evening no one will soon forget with decorations overflowing out of the ballroom, creating a beautiful Middle Eastern atmosphere. Mesmerizing dance routines by Rakadu Gypsy Dance Troupe and enchanting tales from the Scheherazade were interspersed with a delicious dinner of authentic Middle Eastern food and a live auction featuring world-renowned Arabian artwork and a trip to Australia and New Zealand.

The final day of the Egyptian Event began just after daybreak when the Pyramid Challenge Endurance riders embarked upon their 50 mile course, followed later by the 25 mile riders. Back in the arena one outstanding horse after another was garnered with Championship ribbons throughout the day, along with a second Stallion Showcase presentation for all to enjoy. The amateur-led Egyptian Breeders’ Challenge (EBC) fillies and colts competed Saturday afternoon for a total payout exceeding $96,000. Rock Creek Arabians’ lovely filly Oruba Alrabie RCA (Bellagio RCA x Bint Aliashahm) was crowned EBC filly champion and Miars Arabian Ranch yearling Lexor Al Mar (Alixir x Alia Mar) won the colt class. The crowning of these fantastic yearlings immediately prompted the start of the much-anticipated Egyptian Breeders’ Challenge Live Stallion Auction. With a record-breaking crowd, 75 stallion services auctioned and wine and cheese spreads sponsored by Lyday Farms, the EBC auction was truly a highlight of the 2009 Egyptian Event. The excitement for the 2010 EBC classes was set in motion on Saturday!

Saturday evening championship classes began with a grand flag ceremony with each state flag present along with a country flag representing each international member of The Pyramid Society and each international judge at the Egyptian Event. Following the opening ceremonies, the crowned Junior Champion Filly Pa Aida (Al Adeed Al Shaqab x Memphis NA) owned by Pannonia Arabians Inc. was led to the winners’ circle by Steve Dady and the Junior Champion Colt Lexor Al Mar (Alixir x Alia Mar) owned by Miars Arabian Ranch was presented by Joseph Polo. Finally, with great anticipation, the 2009 Egyptian Event Supreme Champion Mare and Stallion were crowned. The stunning mare, Ramses Minx (Thee Desperado x Ramses Effendi) owned by Agmal Arabians and presented by Johanna Ullstrom received the Supreme Champion honors, while the crowd-pleasing Botswana (Thee Desperado x The Minuet) owned by the Botswana Trust and led by Mike Wilson walked away with the coveted Egyptian Event Supreme Champion Stallion title. At the close of the evening a special 40^th Anniversary DVD was shown in the arena, spotlighting members and memories over the past four decades.

From every standpoint and angle, the 2009 Egyptian Event was a success. With over 300 Egyptian Arabians competing for over $195,000 in prize money, international show judges representing Canada, South Africa and Denmark, along with three distinctive EBC judges and celebrations of The Pyramid Society’s 40^th Anniversary, it was a great week to be in Lexington, KY. All those involved with The Pyramid Society and the Egyptian Event look forward to another memorable year in 2010.